MLK Society Events & Updates
2026 MLK Youth Art Contest
What is it?
An art competition for students in Kindergarten through sixth grade in the Tulsa Metro Area. Students must CHOOSE ONE of the three themes that characterizes Dr. King's life and work:
Love, Peace or Unity
Students create a drawing to illustrate what the theme means to them. Illustrations must be completed in paint, colored pencil and/or crayon on an 8-1/2 x 11 sheet of blank white paper. (No ink or pencil drawings. Do NOT fold picture, please.)
01
Why
To honor the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
03
Where
Complete the entry form and mail along the drawing to MLK Art P.O Box 14025, Tulsa OK 74159-1025 or email a PDF/scan of the picture with this entry form to emonca.reagan@okstate.edu. (No entries will be returned).
02
When
Art entries must be submtted by Friday, November 21, 2025
04
Prizes
1st Place - $200
2nd Place - $150
3rd Place - $100
2026 MLK Essay Contest
For students in Grades 6 - 8
Sponsored by: Pepsi Beverage Company & The Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration Society, Inc.
Topic:
"Dr. King's Dream influences my choices"
Deadline: Saturday November 21, 2025
Send entries to:
2025 MLK Essay Contest
Attn: Pauline Harris
P.O Box 14025, Tulsa OK 74159-1025
Entries may also be emailed to Harripa2@k12.tulsaschools.org
Please call Dr. Pauline Harris at 918-746-6517 with any questions
1. Participants
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The contest is open to all middle school students (grades 6 - 8) in the Tulsa Metro area.
2. Essay Formatting
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The title page must include the essay title, contestant's full name grade, school, sponsoring teacher(if applicable), phone number and email address of parent, and number of words in the essay
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350 - 500 words
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Words must be counted and noted on the title page
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Dates count as one word
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Information on the title page is not counted in the word count
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Entries must be double-spaced in 12-point font. font, Times New Roman or Georgia
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Provide a list of sources to give credit for the information
3. Cash awards
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1st place - $300
-
2nd place - $250
-
3rd place - $200
Oratorical Contest
All 9th through 12th Grade Students
Entry Deadlne
Friday, November 21, 2025
Submissions
Sponsorship
Submit participating student's name, school, cell phone and email address to Angela Burnett at angelad.burnett@hotmal.com
Contestants will render the "I Have A Dream Speech..." at Oklahoma State University - Tulsa on Friday, December 10, 2025, from 9:30 am to 12:00 pm in the North Hall 150.
The speech must be memorized (Notes are not allowed to be used during the performance.)
Oratorical Contest Rubric
Quality of the performance will be judged based upon:
1. Enunciation
a. Diction
b. Clarity
2. Voice Quality
a. Tone
b. Pitch
3. Delivery
a. Emphasis
b. Feeling
4. Stage Presence
a. Eye Contact
b. Relaced Manner
5. Memorization
Cash Awards
Previous 1st place contest winners are neligable
1st place - $1,000
2nd place - $500
3rd place - $350
In the News:
January 2025 TulsaPeople Magazine
2024 MLK PARADE LIVE WEBCAST, KOTV NEWS ON 6
SCENES FROM THE 2024 MLK DAY PARADE BY TULSAPEOPLE
UNION PUBLIC SCHOOLS STUDENT WINS 2024 'I HAVE A DREAM' ORATORICAL CONTEST
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