2026 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.- Pre-K - 12th Grade Student Contest

PreK - 12th Student ART Contest Prompt:

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. believed that we are stronger when we walk together toward justice, fairness, and freedom. The theme for this year is “We Cannot Walk Alone.” Create a piece of art that shows what this means to you. Think about how walking together, helping each other, and standing side by side can build a better world. How does this idea look through your eyes?

Consider these examples as inspiration: 

• Draw or paint a picture of people supporting one another, such as friends, family, or community members walking together toward a goal.
• Create a collage or mixed media artwork that shows how people from different backgrounds can come together as one.
• Design a poster or digital artwork that illustrates how walking together with love and kindness can overcome challenges or bring hope to others.

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 November 21, 2025, 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.

Pre-K – 2nd Grade:

• Prompt: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. believed that we are stronger when we walk together and help one another. Think about what “We Cannot Walk Alone” means to you. How do you walk alongside others—friends, family, pets, or your community? How do others walk alongside 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 walk with in life.
  • Create a list of ways you can walk together with others.
• Suggested Length: Less than a page

 

3rd – 5th Grade:

• Prompt: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. dreamed of a world where people joined together to create fairness, kindness, and justice. When you think of “We Cannot Walk Alone,” what comes to mind? How can walking side by side with others show up in your life or the world around you? Use your creativity to express what this theme 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 “We Cannot Walk Alone.”
• Suggested Length: 1 – 3 pages

 

6th – 12th Grade:

• Prompt: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. reminded us that our futures are bound together: “Their destiny is tied up with our destiny. … We cannot walk alone.” Reflect on what it means to walk together with strength, courage, and purpose in today’s world. How do you see this theme shaping 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 November 21, 2025, 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.

Pre-K – 5th Grade:

• Prompt: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. taught us that we are stronger when we walk together and support one another. With the theme “We Cannot Walk Alone” in mind, create a piece of music that shows what walking together means to you. How does it sound when people stand side by side with kindness, courage, and unity? Use your voice, instruments, or other sounds to make your music.
• Possible Examples for Formats:
  • Create a simple song or melody you can sing about walking together.
  • Use classroom instruments like drums or tambourines to make a rhythm that feels steady and strong, like people marching together.
  • Record sounds that remind you of unity and combine them to make a sound collage.

 

6th - 8th Grade:

• Prompt: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. believed that we cannot achieve justice or freedom alone—we must walk side by side. Think about what “We Cannot Walk Alone” means to you and create a piece of music that reflects this idea. How can music show togetherness that is supportive, unshakable, and full of hope?
• Possible Examples for Formats:
  • Compose a song or instrumental piece that expresses your interpretation of walking together in unity.
  • Write lyrics that tell a story about people supporting one another, then record or perform it.
  • Arrange a remix or mashup of existing music that represents the theme of “We Cannot Walk Alone.”

 

9th - 12th Grade:

• Prompt: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. reminded us that our destinies are tied together: “Their destiny is tied up with our destiny. … We cannot walk alone.” Reflecting on this theme, create a piece of music that explores the power of unity in its most profound form. How can you use music to convey solidarity that is fearless, resilient, and transformative?

• Possible Examples for Formats:

  • Compose and arrange a complex musical piece or song that captures the essence of “We Cannot Walk Alone.”

  • Write and produce a spoken word piece set to music that explores the theme.

  • Create a soundtrack or score that could accompany a visual project about the strength of walking together.

  • Experiment with electronic music or sampling to produce a track that represents modern expressions of unity and resilience.

 

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 November 21, 2025, 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.