Newburgh - Each year, the "Keeping the Dream Alive" Award Committee challenges students throughout the Greater Newburgh Area to write an essay focusing on the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Two students from 6th, 9th, and 12th grades are awarded for their interpretations of King’s struggles, achievements, dedication and how he lost his life pursuing equality, freedom, and justice for all people. This years essay topic was "Keeping the Dream Alive."
Amanda Chen, a student from Miss Schneider’s 6th grade class at Gardnertown Fundamental Magnet School, was awarded a $50 gift certificate and a plaque for the following essay.
Keeping the Dream Alive
By Amanda Chen
Martin Luther King, Jr. worked for everyone’s rights. He didn’t believe in segregation. He believed that violence fighting violence is not the answer, but working together in a nonviolence way is what you need to do. I believe that everyone should have the same rights whether your black or white. Martin Luther King, Jr. did a lot of things that should inspire us, and I feel that I have tried to keep his dream alive.
I have helped many people that are not just inside my community, but outside of my community as well. Me and my friends worked together to clean up the neighborhood because we knew that if we work together, we can achieve anything. We picked up litter and we also looked out for recyclable items to recycle.
We also decided to donate money for St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, so we shoveled driveways for some money. We made over two hundred dollars. We were very proud of what we accomplished even though it was hard work. So when we went to donate the money, we decided to visit the children’s area. We brought toys for them and the looks on their faces were unforgettable. I felt that that day was the best day ever.
You can even have fun while helping someone out. Going to the animal shelter is a great way to help animals in need. The dogs are so nice and I feel that they deserve a good home to live in. Adopting also helps them.
Doing little things can even help people in need. I saw a homeless person begging people for money and yet those people just ignored him. I felt very bad so I gave him some money for him to enjoy. You wouldn’t want to be homeless so treat people the way you want to be treated.
Keeping the dream alive was very important to Martin Luther King and me. Helping out makes the world a better place and I hope that soon people will realize that by helping the needy and others you can achieve anything.
