Enter the 2025 MLK Essay Contest

Irving students in grades 3-12 are invited to enter the 2025 City of Irving Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Essay Contest.

In 2025, we commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for his extraordinary activism in the American Civil Rights movement. Dr. King emphasized the power of dialogue in bridging divides. 

Essays should discuss the importance of equality, justice and respect and, how these concepts are related to treating people with dignity and fairness, and ensure that everyone has equal opportunities. These characteristics can foster understanding and inspire actions that reflect Dr. King’s vision. 

Essays should be no more than a page in length or 500 words and will be judged on clarity, grammar and the depth of understanding of Dr. King's legacy and the vision for the future. Essays can be submitted from Dec. 2-Jan. 6. 

The contest age categories are:

Contest winners will read their winning essays during an observance Jan. 19 at 6 p.m. at Carpenter Performance Hall in the Irving Arts Center, 3333 N. MacArthur Blvd.

For more information on the theme and how to enter, visit IrvingEvents.org.