Middle School's 6th Graders Honor Their Heroes

Many would agree that the cornerstone of the Martin Luther King Jr Day of Service in Summit is the Celebration of Community Service at St. John's Lutheran Church. While the Keeper of the Dream award marks the accomplishments of the city's older generation, the Hero Essay contest awards the writing and passion of Summit's youngest.

"Each of the six essay's that were chosen this year as winners reinforce what this day of service represents", Asst. Superintendent Julie Glazer said in her opening remarks. "Inclusion is not only about race and ethnicity, but how we relate to each other one to one. It is about walking in another person's shoes and affirming each person's struggles," said Glazer.

Winning essays are chosen by junior advanced placement high school students, under the coordination of Erik Parks, Asst. Principal at .

"These essays are our youth speaking, and I am grateful of Shaping Summit Together for helping provide an outlet for these voices," added Glazer.

Speaking about Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Annette Dwyer, board chair of Shaping Summit Together, called it a "day each of us forgets what's different about us. We honor what's similar." Dwyer added a line that would've sounded fine in a King speech: "This day puts the unity in 'community'."

Here are excerpts from the winning essays in the 2012 Hero Essay contest:

Declan Alvidrez

Heroes in Our Lives

The first quality that Dr. King and Uncle Mike have in common is that they are committed to their work. Dr. King was committed to making lide in the United States equal for blacks. Even when his life was on the line when his house was attacked he kept going no matter what. Uncle Mike has been a Deputy U.S. Marshal for nearly 20 years. To be a U.S. Marshal you have to pass a physical test as well as a knowledge test. Uncle Mike trained six days a week to prepare for the physical test. One day each week he ran about 10 miles. He graduated from the Federal Law Enforcement Training Academy. His first job was in Newark, NJ officer. Then he protected prisoners in Washington, D.C. Dr. King and Uncle Mike stayed on their task and worked past anything that was in their way.

Joseph Shepard

Dr. Martin Luther King and the Poor White Boy...

One of Dr. King's greatest lasting achievements was his reform of the education system, which has impacted how all colleges and universities now offer opportunities for all regardless of their background.  My father was from a place in society where there was no money for college. He knew that if he wanted to escape poverty, he would have to buckle-down academically, outperform everyone else, and gain admission into the one place that offered the chance for an extraordinary education for those without money, a United States military academy. My father was the only student from his congressional district of 11 Georgia counties to be appointed to the Air Force Academy in the year that he graduated from high school.

 

Rachel Kantor

Light

Intelligence is a heroic trait because heroes often need to think through problems and find solutions. Dr. King showed his intelligence organizing all the revolts, boycotts, protests and marches. He had to make sure his plans wouldn't get people killed or anger white people. Martin Luther King, Jr. was smart enough to know that if the marches continued, the white people might relent. He created wonderful, inspiring speeches that touched the world and convinced people to fight. These speeches have been remembered forever as the work of genius. Dr. King is one of the many geniuses in this world, along with my grandfather. My grandfather was intelligent since he went through many years of medical school to become a doctor. Doctors have to know all the different illnesses, symptoms, cures and so much more. Patients with unusual symptoms were sent to my grandfather so he could figure out what was wrong. All the people knew he was smart, caring, gentle person who was one of the best doctors around.

 

Jeremy Schultz

Heroes Don't Ask for Applause

Like Dr. King, my grandfather is also a very courageous man. In 1944 my grandfather joined the US Army to fight in World War II, risking his life. He was scared but did not back away from his responsibility to help America. He was only 18 years of age when he joined the army and went to Ft. Bragg for 14 months of harsh and tiring training. Due to his bravery, my grandfather helped to end the war so that all American people could live in peace. Being courageous helped Marting Luther King and my grandfather to become heroes.

 

Liam Galligan

Heroes Among Heroes

Both Dr. King and my great-grandfather were very courageous. This helped them on their road to success. It's fair to say Dr. King was a rebelliously courageous man. In fact Dr. King's march got stopped twice on the march from Selma to Montgomery. There were many deaths and injuries. Even though he knew the costs, he marched a third time, with the help of the National Guard to protect the peaceful protesters. Still, it took a lot of courage to confront death at your doorstep. People were inspired to join the Civil Rights Movement due to his courageous acts; even non-colored people joined. Although Dr. King was extremely courageous, my great-grandfather was as well. Peter Paul Galligan rallied his troops to victory battles in which he had little chance of succeeding in a war to free Ireland from centuries of unwanted English rule and oppression. The only problem was that he gave himself up to win the batter. He was captured by the British and sentenced to death.

Vincent Kinget

The Passive Traits of a Hero

Intelligence is a trait to succeed and do well in life. Both Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and my grandfather realized at an early age that studying is important if you wish to achieve something in life. Dr. King started college at the age of 15 and only 10 years later he received his Phd in Theology from Boston University. At age 35 he was the youngest man to have received the Nobel Peace Prize. He directed peaceful drives and nonviolent marches through the streets, and was able to have more than 250,000 people join him in such events.

My grandfather received his university degree at age 17. He traveled to the United States for a post doctorate. At that time not many people would travel to the U.S. for a post doctorate. My grandfather used his intelligence to teach his students at the university traits of a good compounding pharmacist. My grandfather loved his job of teaching.