Students who know, or want to know, about the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. have a chance to put their knowledge to work in the 2014 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Essay Contest.

The contest is sponsored by the Ohio University Southern Council on Diversity and Inclusion and encourages students sixth through twelfth grade to honor King by submitting an essay in his memory.

The theme of the essay is, “Words in Stone: Actions in Life — Contemporary Leaders Living the Example of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.”

“We want the essays to reflect on what students have learned about King at school or through self study,” Robert Pleasant, Ohio University Southern Coordinator of Diversity and Inclusion, said. “The essay should explore a living example of a contemporary American leader the student feels embodies the teachings of one or more of the 14 quotes on the panels at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial in Washington, D.C.”

All essays must be typewritten and double-spaced. Each essay will be judged on the student’s knowledge of King’s work in regard to Civil Rights, relevancy to the contest theme, originality of ideas and clarity of expression, personal perspective, organization, grammar and guidelines.

First, second and third-place winners will be named in two divisions, sixth through eighth grade and ninth through twelfth grade. Students who place in the top three will win $100, $50 and $25, respectively.

“Students who wish to be considered for the contest must submit their essay before 5 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 3, 2014,” Pleasant said. “Participating students will be invited to be recognized at the Ohio University Southern Community Celebration on Jan. 20.”

A committee comprised of faculty, staff and students from OUS will evaluate essays and the committee’s decisions are final.

Additional information and a complete list of contest rules and guidelines is available at www.southern.ohiou.edu/mlk.