The excitement is amplified by the rhythmic beats overhead from African Tribal Orchestra’s album “Sounds Like Africa.” The stage is empty, save for an oversized portrait of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. awaiting the start of the contest with an inquisitive yet solemn gaze.
As the contest commences the support can be felt through the words and emotions displayed on stage during opening remarks by Virginia Scott and Jarish Jones, Master of Ceremonies.
For the first time since the contest’s inauguration, all six contestants were African American females; a proud accomplishment acknowledged by Virginia Scott, EDC Senior Advisory Council and Leontyne Middleton, both members of the SPC of MLK, Jr. CO, Inc.
Diversity among the contestants is always welcomed and has been the norm throughout the existence of the contest, but with this year’s finalists being all female it has shown the community that women are no longer supporters in the background but front running leaders.
The prompt for this year’s contest was to identify a ‘Champion of Peace’ and why? After experiencing an increase in violent protests, mass shootings, and terrorist attacks around the world over the last few years, the words of these future leaders lingered heavily amongst the more than 45 attendees.
As stated by Leontyne Middleton in her closing remarks these powerful, young women “spoke about our world today – multinational.” The champions mentioned in the student’s essays spanned the globe from Pakistan, Kenya, Liberia, and the United States.
Contest winner and Lakewood High School Senior Tasina Taylor’s tenacious presentation defined a champion as “a person or figure that fights, argues, and defends greatly for a cause on the behalf of something or someone.” Her champion of peace is President Barack Obama.
With over 50 top accomplishments Taylor believes the defining act that made President Obama the ultimate champion of peace was when he “ordered Special Forces to raid a secret compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan to assassinate the calamitous leader Osama Bin Laden” bringing America great peace, a justice former president George W. Bush could not serve.
Taylor won a $200 cash prize and a seat at the VIP table for her and an accompanying adult at the 30th Annual MLK Leadership Award breakfast being held at the Coliseum Mon., Jan 18. Taylor and her guest will enjoy breakfast with members of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s family.
First runner up Alexandra Givins, a junior at Gibbs High School gave an emotional speech on Malala Yousafzaoi, a young woman in Pakistan who survived an assassination attempt by the Taliban for bringing education to young females in a country where women are forbidden to learn. Yousafzaoi won Pakistan’s first National Youth Peace Prize for her efforts. Alexandra won a $100 cash prize.
Leymah Gbowee was third place winner Amber Seay’s champion. Gbowee is a Liberian peace activist known for stepping up to protect the lives of women and children in a civil war ridden country. Amber attends Lakewood High School and won a $75 cash prize.
Fourth place winner Tatjana Simmons from Lakewood High School chose Tegla Loroupe, a Kenyan long distance and roadrunner who was the first African American female to win the New York City Marathon. Tegla is a spokeswoman for a peaceful coexistence across the globe.
Fifth place winner Brittany Matthews spoke of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his accomplishments that advanced the civil rights movement in the United States.
Finalist Deonnie J. Brown was unable to attend.
