Thank you for applying to the 2026 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Essay & Oratorical Contest hosted by the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Organization Inc., in cooperation with the Pinellas County National Pan-Hellenic Council and the City of St. Petersburg Parks & Recreation Department's Enoch Davis Center.
The top four (4) applicants in each grade level will be eligible to compete for the $500 scholarship.
Essay Topic: Imagine your school has decided not to recognize Martin Luther King Jr. Day in any special way. Write an essay persuading your school leaders why it is important to honor Dr. King’s life and legacy. In your essay, describe the significance of his contributions to our country and suggest meaningful ways the school could commemorate this important holiday.
Contest Deadline for entries is December 14, 2025, at 11:59 p.m.
Finalist will be announced on December 29, 2025. Finalist Oratorical Workshop session and review of Oratorical Contest rules will be January 6, 2026, from 6:30 - 8 p.m. at the Enoch Davis Center, 1111 18th Ave. S., St. Petersburg, FL 33705.
Finalist Oratorical Contest Competition will occur on January 16, 2026, at 6 p.m. at Enoch Davis Center.
Contest Rules:
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Students must be currently enrolled in a Pinellas County public or private middle or high school.
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Essay must be 750 words in length to be eligible for consideration.
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Essay must include the entrant's name on the top right corner of each essay page.
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Essay format must be MLA Style. See the MLA Style Guide for more information: style.mla.org/
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Essay must be typed in 12 point Times New Roman font and 1.5 line spacing.
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All entries must submit the following along with their essay:
- Cover letter
- Resume
- Detailed outline of community service work
- Professional headshots. No screenshots will be permitted.
Incomplete applications will not be considered for contest.
Essay will be scored on an analytic rubric scale.
If you have questions, please contact Christopher Lampley, supervisor of the Enoch Davis Center, at (727) 893-7159 or christopher.lampley@stpete.org.