The Tribune

US Chargé d’Affaires John Dinkelman recognised all the students from Queen’s College who submitted essays in this year’s Dr Martin Luther King Jr Essay Contest and presented Jada Miller with the grand prize – a new Apple iPad.

As part of the special assembly, Ms Miller also read her winning essay in front of the entire student body, staff and proud parents.

Her essay explored the non-violent struggles her forefathers encountered in their pursuit to secure an independent Bahamas in honour of the 40th anniversary on July 10.

In his remarks to the entire student body, Mr Dinkelman praised Ms Miller for her eloquence and thanked each student who participated in this year’s contest for embracing Dr Martin Luther King Jr’s vision and for rediscovering the ties between the civil rights movements in the Bahamas and the United States.

This is the seventh year that the US Embassy has sponsored the nationwide contest to mark US Black History Month.

This year’s theme: “Dream Inspired by Martin Luther King Jr: Celebrating Forty Years of Bahamian Independence” also included an art component in partnership with Antonius Roberts’ Hillside Gallery to encourage high school students to express themselves artistically.

The purpose of the contest was to encourage students to explore the life of Dr King and the impact of the civil rights movement on Bahamian independence.

All high school students in the Bahamas in grades 10-12 were invited to participate.

The top students will receive an Apple iPad, Apple iPad mini or a Sony Blogger Camera.

This year, the Embassy received 52 essays and eight art entries from 21 public and private high schools in New Providence, Grand Bahama, and the Family Islands.

Prizes will be given to the following top students:

Grand Prize for Essay – Jada Miller, Queen’s College, Grade 11

Grand Prize for Art – Denzel Pratt, St Augustine’s College, Grade 10

First Runner-up – Andrew Goodrum, Lucaya International School, Grade 11

Second Runner-up – Shenique Moss, Crooked Island High School, Grade 12

Honorable Mention – Wenzlea Dorsett, San Salvador High School, Grade 10