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1-21-19 — Students End Silence with MLK Contest Entries
Jan. 21, 2019 ~ This year’s Martin Luther King Jr. visual and written arts contest received more than 4,600 entries from Olathe middle and high school students. Their writing, visual art and multi-media presentation focused on the theme of “Ending Silence.”
This was the 19th year for the citywide celebration honoring Dr. King. The event was presented by the Olathe Public Schools and Olathe Human Relations Commission. The public was invited to a commemoration and announcement of the contest winners Jan. 20 at the Bell Cultural Events Center.
The celebration was an opportunity for Olathe youth to promote a society free of bullying, discrimination and mistreatment of others based on race, gender or religion by sharing their beliefs in writing, visual artwork, and mixed-media presentations. Entrants ranged from sixth grade to seniors in high school. Many entries will be on display in the downtown Olathe Public Library through Feb. 18.
Contest winners received cash prizes.
The Martin Luther King Celebration is a partnership involving the City of Olathe, Olathe Public Schools, MidAmerica Nazarene University, and Olathe Public Library. It was sponsored by Olathe Communities That Care and Harlan C. Parker Insurance Agency.
Best in Show:
LyLena Estabine, Olathe Northwest, multi-media
Middle School Visual Arts
- Erin Schaper’s art class, Indian Trail
- Ainsley Steenhard, Frontier Trail
- Tie between Abigail Hubbard of Frontier Trail and Kaylee Howell of Chisholm Trail
Middle School Multi-Media
- Blue Diamonds Dance Team, Prairie Trail
- Evan Stanfield, Evan McDowell, Colin Guerra and Andrew Rhodes, Chisholm Trail
- Ben Dresbach, Summit Trail
Middle School Writing
- Waentana Alebchew, Frontier Trail
- Kalkiedan Kassa, Santa Fe Trail
- Karissa Rangel, Chisholm Trail
High School Visual Arts
- Bennett Junkins, Olathe South
- Adam Shinski, Olathe Northwest
- Jenna Lindsey, Olathe Northwest
High School Multi-Media
- LyLena Estabine, Olathe Northwest
- McKenna Cowles, Olathe South
- Hadley Olson, Olathe Northwest
High School Writing
- Taylor Duncan, Olathe South
- Dallas Rogers, Olathe Northwest
- Mandi Marstall, Olathe South
In addition to the student honors, two schools were recognized for having the highest participation in their category. Oregon Trail Middle School’s entries amounted to 128 percent of the student enrollment because some students submitted more than one entry. Olathe West High had 38.5 percent of students participate in the contest, and became a repeat winner of the participation award.