2025 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.- Pre-K - 12th Grade Student Contest

Pre-K-12th Student ART Contest Prompt:

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. believed in the power of love to create a just and fair world. The theme for this year is "A More Excellent Way, of Love." Create a piece of art that shows what this means to you. Think about how unity can be strong, powerful, and unshakeable. How does this idea look through your eyes? 

Consider these examples as inspiration: 

• Draw or paint a picture of how you show love to others or how others show love to you.
• Create a collage or mixed media artwork using different materials that represent unity and love.
• Design a poster or digital artwork that illustrates how unity can overcome challenges or bring people together.

Art Contest Entry Guidelines

• All entries must fill out an entry form (even if the product is physical).
• All entries must have a title.
• 2-D Physical Art entries must be single-sided.
• Any medium is allowable (drawing, painting, photography, collage, sculpture, etc.).
• Art may be physical or digital. Examples of digital forms might include (but are not limited to):
  • Websites; Photo Essays; iPad, Procreate, Adobe, or other Graphic Design Project; Online Video/Movie, and others.
• Art contest entries will be judged based on this rubric.
• Art contest entry forms and products must be received by December 11, 2024, at 4:30 p.m. by:
  • Dropping off your entry at the district office with a note left for Andrew Dutch - 800 S. Taft Ave, Loveland, CO 80537; or
  • Submitting your artwork electronically via the entry form, or
  • Asking your teacher to submit your entry for you (with enough time) either physically or digitally.
• Winners from the art category will be selected by TSD Staff and Community Members.

Pre-K - 2nd Grade:

• Prompt: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. believed that love is one of the most powerful things in the world. Think about what “A More Excellent Way, of Love” means to you. How do you show love to the people, animals, or things that are important to you? Share your thoughts and ideas in any way you like.
• Example Writing Formats (students may choose something not on this list): 
  • Draw a picture and write a few sentences about it.
  • Write a short story or a letter to someone you love.
  • Create a list of ways you can show love to others.
• Suggested Length: Less than a page

3rd - 5th Grade:

• Prompt: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. dreamed of a world filled with kindness, fairness, and love that is stronger than hate. When you think of “A More Excellent Way, of Love,” what comes to mind? How can love show up in your life or the world around you? Use your creativity to express what “A More Excellent Way, of Love” means to you.
• Suggested Writing Formats (students may choose something not on this list): 
  • Write a story or personal experience.
  • Compose a poem.
  • Create a dialogue between two characters about “A More Excellent Way, of Love.”
• Suggested Length: 1 - 3 pages

6th - 12th Grade:

• Prompt: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke about the power of love to transform hearts and heal communities. Reflect on the theme “A More Excellent Way, of Love.” What does it mean to show love with strength, courage, and purpose in today’s world? How do you see this concept impacting your life, your community, or society as a whole? Interpret and explore this theme in your own unique way.
• Suggested Writing Formats (students may choose something not on this list):
  • Write a research essay or reflective piece.
  • Compose a series of poems or a spoken word piece.
• Suggested Length: No more than 5 pages

Writing Contest Entry Guidelines: 

• All entries must fill out an entry form (even if the product is physical).
• All entries must have a title. 
• All entries should be typed unless handwriting is more appropriate for the grade level/age/ability of the entrant. 
• Suggestions for formats are listed, but the project can be any form of creative writing.
• Creative writing projects may include other media (photos, drawings, tables, etc.), but the writing should be the majority of the project.
• Writing may be in any language you choose.
• Writing contest entries will be judged based on this rubric.
• Writing contest entry forms and products must be received by December 11, 2024, at 4:30 p.m. by:
  • Dropping off your entry at the district office with a note left for Andrew Dutch - 800 S. Taft Ave, Loveland, CO 80537, or
  • Submitting your writing electronically via the entry form, or
  • Asking your teacher to submit your entry for you (with enough time) either physically or digitally.
• Winners from the writing category will be selected by TSD staff and community members.

PreK -5th Grade:

• Prompt: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. taught us that love is one of the strongest forces in the world. with the theme "A More Excellent Way, of Love" in mind, create a piece of music that expresses how you feel about love. How does love sound when it is kind, strong, and caring? Use your voice, instruments, or other sounds to make your music.
• Possible Examples for Formats:
  • Create a simple song or melody that you can sing about love.
  • Use classroom instruments like drums or tambourines to make a rhythm that feels gentle but powerful.
  • Record sounds that remind you of love and put them together to make a sound collage. 

6th - 8th Grade:

• Prompt: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. believed that love is a powerful way to make the world a better place. Think about what "A More Excellent Way, of Love" means to you and create a piece of music that reflects this idea. How can music show love that is compassionate and unwavering?
• Possible Examples for Formats:
  • Compose a song or instrumental piece that expresses your interpretation of deep, caring love.
  • Write lyrics that tell a story about love's strength and kindness, then record or perform it.
  • Arrange a remix or mashup of existing music that represents the theme of "A More Excellent Way, of Love."

9th - 12th Grade:

• Prompt: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke of love as a force that could overcome any injustice or adversity. Reflecting on the theme "A More Excellent Way, of Love," create a piece of music that explores the power of love in its most profound form. How can you use music to convey love that is fearless, resilient, and transformative?
• Possible Examples for Formats: 
  • Compose and arrange a complex musical piece or song that captures the essence of "A More Excellent Way, of Love."
  • Write and produce a spoken word piece set to music that delves into the theme.
  • Create a soundtrack or score that might accompany a visual project about love's power to heal and transform.
  • Experiment with electronic music or sampling to produce a track that represents profound, modern expressions of love.

Music contest Entry Guidelines:

• All music entries must include a performance/recording of some kind.
• All music entries must have a title. All lyrics should be school appropriate.
• A student does not need to be enrolled in music at their school to enter.
• The student may choose not to perform the work (for example, a student could compose a song for a string quartet but not be a string performer themself).
• A student may choose to submit a composition (with digital recording) from a software program.
• Music may be in any language you choose and can be vocal, instrumental, or both.
• Music contest entries will be judged based on this rubric.
• Music contest entry forms and products must be received by December 11, 2024, at 4:30 p.m. by:
  • Dropping off your entry at the district office with a note left for Andrew Dutch- 800 S. Taft Ave, Loveland, CO 80537, or
  • Submitting your music electronically via the entry form, or 
  • Asking your teacher to submit your entry for you (with enough time) either physically or digitally.
• Winners from the music category will be selected by TSD staff and community members.