More than 50 Milwaukee Public Schools students are winners in the 42nd annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. art, speech, and writing contests. The winners were honored at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration on Monday, January 19, at the Marcus Performing Arts Center downtown.

Students delivered their winning speeches in Wilson Theater at the Marcus Center’s Vogel Hall, where elected officials gave remarks during the celebration. In addition, the audience saw performances from I Bei Bambini, the Messmer High School Gospel Choir, Banat Al-Huriyah, and Paj Hnub Hli dance group from the Hmong American Friendship Association.

The Theme of "True Peace"

The students’ speeches, writing, and artwork interpreted this year’s theme, “True Peace.” The theme was inspired by an article by Dr. King in Christian Century, the weekly religious magazine that appeared in the February 6, 1957, issue dedicated to race relations.

Dr. King wrote: “True peace is not merely the absence of some negative force—tension, confusion or war; it is the presence of some positive force—justice, goodwill and brotherhood.”

Bridgett Gonzalez, grants director at Bader Philanthropies, said: “This year’s theme, ‘True Peace,’ reminds us that peace is something we actively build through understanding and care for one another. Bader Philanthropies is proud to support this celebration, which uplifts Milwaukee’s young people and uses the arts as a powerful platform for students to express their voice and explore Dr. King’s legacy.”

Marcus Center President and CEO Kevin Giglinto said, “We are honored to continue hosting this longstanding tradition that brings our community together to celebrate Dr. King’s legacy and elevate the voices and talents of Milwaukee’s youth.”

“This celebration underscores our commitment to fostering equity, inclusion, and opportunity for the next generation through the arts,” he added.

Entries to the art, speech, and writing contests are submitted by students from Milwaukee and surrounding school districts.

The annual celebration included a special presentation of the Rev. Joseph Ellwanger Social Justice Award to Andre Lee Ellis, a longtime community leader, artist, and youth advocate for his decades of service in urban agriculture, cultural leadership, community engagement, and social justice.

MPS student winners

Art Contest – MPS Winners

Grades K-2

• Leylani Ugalde, Longfellow School, 2nd place
• Amir Folad, Lowell International Elementary School, 3rd place

Grades 3-5

• Jose Garcia, Samuel Clemens School, 1st place
• Kenia Martinez Vargas, La Escuela Fratney, 2nd place
• Yaretzi Santos Sixteco, Longfellow School, 3rd place

Grades 6-8

• Chriscyris Gil Midence, Wedgewood Park International School, 1st place
• Kimberly Hurtado Garcia, Wedgewood Park International School, 2nd place
• Cristell Linaldi Vela, Wedgewood Park International School, 3rd place

Speech Contest – MPS Winners

Grades K-2

• Josie Evans – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. School, 1st place
• Montel Taylor – Samuel Clemens School, 3rd place

Grades 3-4

• Aalaila Simmons – Lowell International Elementary School, 1st place
• Leanna Mitchell – Samuel Clemens School, 2nd place
• Mackenzie Peterson – Golda Meir School, 3rd place

Grades 5-6

• Demar Strong – Samuel Clemens School, 2nd place
• Aiden Rios-Calaff – Doerfler School, 3rd place

Grades 7-8

• Titania McHenry – Fernwood Montessori School, 1st place
• Renad Kabashi – Golda Meir School, 3rd place

Grades 9-10

• Dahlia Santiago – Golda Meir School, 1st place
• Nina Thao – Riverside University High School, 2nd place

Grades 11-12

• Ayden Thrash – Golda Meir School, 1st place

Writing Contest – MPS Winners

Grades K-1

• Samuel Clemens School – Myia Dowl, Aruna Halala-Vishudh (Teachers)
• Students: Devyn Bady, Amorah Baines-Nugen, Jahani Bernal, Jennifer Cameron, Thailan Clark, Raelynn Henning, Mallary Hobbs-Robinson, Alayah Hurst, Jermill Jordan, Kay'Loni Martin, Lanyea Mccaa, Giovanni Ortiz, A'Riyah Robinson, Perrionna Stewart, Talaia Taylor, Kamiyah Trotter-Bell, Miya Watson

Grades 2-3

• Haileyana Molina – I.D.E.A.L. School, 1st place
• Audrey Robinson – Golda Meir School, 2nd place
• Amelia Par – Lowell International Elementary School, 3rd place

Grades 4-5

• Mariana Mitchell – Samuel Clemens School, 1st place
• Kamrie Brown – Samuel Clemens School, 2nd place
• Arvell Sewell – Samuel Clemens School, 3rd place

Grade 6

• Alyssa Rockett – Milwaukee Parkside School for the Arts, 1st place
• Khaydin Allen – Golda Meir School, 2nd place
• Lailaa Jefferson – GreenTree Preparatory Academy, 3rd place

Grades 7-8

• Elliot Anderson – A.E. Burdick School, 3rd place

Grades 9-10

• Kamarion Jackson – Riverside University High School, 2nd place

Grades 11-12

• Bonnie Wise – Golda Meir School, 1st place
• Carla Jones – Riverside University High School, 2nd place
• Aarielle Redmond-McClennon – Riverside University High School, 3rd place

MLK Steering Committee and Sponsors

The MLK Steering Committee coordinates the event. Event sponsors are Bader Philanthropies as presenting sponsor; We Energies and Milwaukee Public Schools (speech contest sponsors); Milwaukee Teachers’ Education Association and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (writing contest sponsors), and Marcus Performing Arts Center (art contest sponsor); Educators Credit Union, Islamic Society of Milwaukee, and The Truth 101.7FM (freedom sponsors); Chorus Community Health Plan and Milwaukee County Transit System (peace sponsors); Landmark Credit Union, Milwaukee Art Museum, Milwaukee Brewers, and Milwaukee County Zoo (dream sponsors); Donelle Johnson and the Copeland Family (Paulette Y. Copeland Reception sponsor); with additional support provided by the Forest County Potawatomi Foundation, the Greater Milwaukee Foundation, and the Herzfeld Foundation.