23rd Annual "Champions of Courage" Black History Month Essay Competition
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FOX45 Champions of Courage

"Champions of Courage" is a showcase for students to honor those who have shared the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with young people. The competition challenges students to salute their personal heroes...positive role models who have inspired them to dream, to overcome, and to achieve.

Congratulations to the twenty-eight Baltimore area students who are the winners of our 23rd Annual Champions of Courage essay competition!

The essay competition provides opportunity for students to participate in a scholastic competition, to gain confidence in their abilities, and to be recognized for their achievement. "Champions of Courage" also serves to share with one and all the legacy and teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr.

The winners will appear on WBFF-TV FOX 45 and WNUV-TV the CW Baltimore saluting their personal heroes during Black History Month. The 23rd Annual "Champions of Courage" Black History Month Essay Competition presented by M&T Bank.

*2010 CHAMPIONS OF COURAGE BLACK HISTORY MONTH ESSAY COMPETITION WINNERS*


Angel
8th Grade
Holy Family School
Sonja Sohn is my champion of courage. She was detective Kima in the hit series, "The Wire". Both the show and her own life experiences lead her to begin the Re-Wired for Change Foundation, a non-profit that empowers youth from under-served communities through education, media, and street based interventions. Her foundation plants seeds of hope, courage, and success. Mrs. Sohn gives back to the community in a big way.

Alex
9th Grade
Aberdeen High School
"Believe, work hard, and I promise you, you can turn your life around, you can become a man." I sat in these meetings and watched kids glare with happiness, for they know they have something, it is called family. I have never before seen young men cry if front of each other. This was because, a man with courage, had a strong sense of bravery and he reached out to these kids, told them they were apart of him and that they have now become his children. These kids' grades have skyrocketed to where no one believed they could be. Pastor Reeves changed their lives, they are no longer boys. They are thankful, hardworking young men.

Ashley
10th Grade
Western High School
"Motivation is the creation to a better life". As a 16 year old girl, she inspires me to continue illustrating my mural of life. She pushes me to see all the colors of the world. Like, Dr. King, she encourages me to paint with diversity and to see the brush strokes of individuality. She keeps me focused and motivated to never settle for less from my grades to my lifestyle. Rolonda Williams, my cousin, is my champion of courage.

Ashley
12th Grade
Western High School
"We must combine the toughness of the serpent and the softness of the dove, a tough mind and a tender heart." Her resilient spirit propelled a revolutionary campaign and her loving manner put her daughters to bed at night. Her belief in equality compelled her to keep children healthy regardless of race or economic standing. Her husband's petition led many Americans to get involved. Like Mrs. King, she stood behind her husband's plea for change. Michelle Obama embodies Dr. King's dream.

Catherine
6th Grade
Dumbarton Middle School
There are some people that stand up to bat in life while others sit back and watch from the bleachers. Jackie Robinson was a slugger, not only on the baseball field, but also in the fight for integration. Jackie was, is, and always will be a role model for children everywhere. Not only does he teach about baseball but we can also learn from him about courage, passion, love, and determination. I will always look up to Jackie Robinson the man that hits homeruns for a world of freedom, friendship, and fairness.

Clara
6th Grade
Lime Kiln Middle School
Eunice Kennedy Shriver believed in equality. Dr. King wanted equality for African Americans and Mrs. Shriver wanted equality for people with special needs. Mrs. Shriver started the Special Olympics. It is important to me because I like to swim and play soccer.

Gilbert
8th Grade
Northeast Middle School
Dr. Benjamin Carson is my Champion of Courage. Dr. Carson used his faith in God and courage to face and overcome many challenges in his life with dignity and character. He inspires students to become scholars and do their best in school, and Dr. Carson improves the quality of life of people all over the world who seek him for medical help. He is truly a champion of courage.

Gwendolyn
12th Grade
Old Mill Senior High School
Mike Miller uses the unifying power of music to keep Dr. King's dream alive. Determinedly, he created Old Mill's Steel Drum Band. His band brings together students of different cultures, sexes, and religion; a vision that would make Dr. King proud.  Mr. Miller is hard-working, staying long after school hours to teach those who had never played a note how to master challenging music. Always caring and enthusiastic, he instills a feeling of pride and belonging in his students. That is why Mike Miller is my champion of courage.

Jamie
11th Grade
Oakland Mills High School
"Together we stand, divided we fall." A short man with white hair and confident stance stands outside room 106 as if he's guarding precious treasure. As a bystander he may seem like a regular teacher, but to his students he is just the opposite. His stories of my school's unity and diversity make students proud to attend Oakland Mills. Because of Mr. Shea's class I now understand that when my school stands together we can accomplish anything, but divided we truly fall. Now, as I walk by room 106, I realize what I learn in that room really is precious treasure.

Jelani
8th Grade
Holy Family School
Anne Mahlum is a runner, who once ran past homeless men each morning. Now she is running with them and other less fortunate people, as part of her “Back on Your Feet” program. The group has logged more than 5,000 miles since they started. Anne is a good person to look up to. She helps homeless by building their confidence and self worth through running. They may not have a home, but they have a friend who cares to listen to their conversation. Anne Mahlum is my “Champion of Courage”.

Jerry
8th Grade
St. Mark School
Pastor Mark Waddell is the Leader of Catonsville United Methodist Church. He adopted a blind son and a daughter from China. Pastor Mark loves them just as much as his other two daughters. He believes that God loves all people, and that they should be given equal treatment. He serves rainbow-colored bread during communion to symbolize that our skin may be different, but we are all one family.

Joshua
7th Grade
Mother Mary Lange Catholic School
Barack Obama is my champion of courage because of what he has done for this country and what he has done for me to make me a better person. Hearing messages from him helped me to learn and appreciate how much Dr. King really cared about non-violence and equal rights for all people. Dr. King once said, "Unity is the need of the hour. Unity is how we shall overcome." Barack Obama is my champion of courage because he portrays that philosophy in everything he does.

Kayla
7th Grade
St. Joseph School – Fullerton
Mae C. Jemison is the first African-American woman to travel into space.  In 1992 she went into orbit aboard the Endeavor.  She believed that society should recognize how much women and other minority groups can contribute if given the opportunity.  She inspires me to believe in myself and my dreams to also go into space.  She said, “We should never limit ourselves due to others’ limited imaginations.”

Kirsten
10th Grade
Digital Harbor High School
When people hear the word coach, they think of a person who trains or directs athletic teams or even a railroad passenger car. Although those are correct, when my team thinks of Coach Patrick McDonald, the words that come to mind are muse, advocate, and maybe even antagonist at times, but most importantly father.  He loves us as if we were his own.  He recognizes the greatness instilled in our souls.  Although he pressures us relentlessly, what would diamonds be without pressure?  Without him, we would simply be a team instead of a family.  Coach Patrick McDonald is my champion of courage.

Laura
6th Grade
Arbutus Middle School
My personal hero is my grandma. Like Martin Luther King, she hopes for peace throughout the world, between all countries and nations. She would rather people work things out peacefully, instead of through war. My grandma stands with a group names "Women In Black". This group wears all black, a symbol of peace. They stand in different public areas around Baltimore, silently holding signs for peace. My grandma stands for peace, and this is why she inspires me.

Maggie
11th Grade
Oakland Mills High School
My tenth grade English teacher used her skills of literary mastery to instill in her students feelings of confidence, pride, and an ability to connect with one another. While working in her class we learned to function with one another despite our differences, while sharing in many laughs, cookies, and fun times along the way. And even though Mrs. Sunderdick lost her battle with colon cancer in April 2009 her teachings still stay with her students, friends, and unite us as a class, a school, and a community.

Marya
6th Grade
Lim Kiln Middle School
My father shares the qualities of Dr. King. He has taught me many important things throughout my life such as: to be a leader, to stand up for others, to respect diversity, to share, to avoid violence, to be polite in an argument, to set goals and then beat them. He has inspired me to be a better citizen just as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. did when he preached his many beliefs. My father is very wise and I respect, admire, and love him.

Matther  
8th Grade
St. Mark School
Ernie Davis, an African American living during the civil rights movement, was never treated with respect. He fought for respect by playing football. Ernie did this by striving to be better than any other player, but at the same time show kindness to others. Teams punched him, threw bottles at him, and insulted him. However, Ernie rose up to become the first black man to win the Heisman Trophy.  Many can follow Ernie's example and stand up for themselves whenever they're treated crudely.

Philesha
7th Grade
Cardinal Shehan School
My champion of courage is my teacher, Mrs. Paulson. She follows Dr. King's example by always encouraging us to learn everyday. She encourages me to be a better person, to do better in school, and be peaceful like Dr. King. Mrs. Paulson teaches us language arts, but she always teaches us a thing or tow about peace by telling us not to argue, fuss, or fight. Dr. King tried and succeeded to make the world peaceful, my teacher Mrs. Paulson is trying to "create a peaceful world, one student at a time".

Samantha
6th Grade
Burleigh Manor Middle School
Greg Mortenson, the author of Three Cups of Tea, founder of the Central Asia Institute and Pennies for Peace, lives the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King every day. King believed all people no matter their ethnicity, religion, or gender, should have equal rights. Mortenson upholds this belief by building schools in the far reaches of Pakistan and Afghanistan where few children receive an education, especially girls. Mortenson believes that through education peace can be achieved. If he was alive today, Martin Luther King would definitely agree.

Sara
11th Grade
Oakland Mills High School
My champion of courage had a dream that people of all races, ethnicities, cultures, and backgrounds could come together at a multicultural church. Although he was told that the chances of his dream coming true were slim to none, he and his wife courageously moved from Illinois to Maryland to found Bridgeway Community Church. It is truly beautiful to see many different types of people loving and caring for each other and, in his words, “doing life together.” This beauty is only possible because of the courage and perseverance of Dr. David Anderson.

Sarah
7th Grade
City Neighbors Charter School
My Champion of Courage is my Social Studies teacher Mr. Peter French. My teacher is very open-minded to do new things. He is always thinking of big ideas that will get us thinking. Like Dr. King, Mr. French teaches us to stand out and make a difference. He tells us important topics that will help us in the future and encourages us to make changes in the world. Mr. French is always helpful and he is very fun to be around. Those are the reasons I chose Mr. French as my Champion of Courage.

Shawdae
11th Grade
MATHS
I always saw courage as standing up and fighting for what you believed in no matter the consequences. My Champion of Courage, Mohandas Gandhi, taught me that fighting for what is right doesn't have to be a violent war; it can be a peaceful revolution for a meaningful change. Mohandas Gandhi was a great leader who peacefully fought for India's independence and exemplified moral integrity. This heroic gentleman possessed strength and courage and that is why he is my champion of courage.

Shelby
12th Grade
Western High School
She believes that we are not just a song but a symphony. Together all nationalities can become a beautiful arrangement. Like, Dr. King, she believes that all races can harmonize especially through the cultural arts. Teaching teens that musical power promotes teamwork and universal self-esteem, she is my inspiration. A composer of lyrical aspirations, my champion of courage is my mentor and music teacher, Mrs. Robin Paige.

Sierra
8th Grade
St, Ursula
My champion of courage is my mom. She shares the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with me by practicing non-violent ways to resolve disagreements. When confronted with a problem, she has taught me to walk away, talk it out, or get an adult. By accepting her teachings I've preserved friendships, and stayed out of trouble. My mom also leads by example when she does right in a world that does wrong. She teaches me to do the same.

Tina
9th Grade
Aberdeen High School
My champion of courage is "Michael Jackson". He was a sensational and inspirational artist and a loving and caring humanitarian. MJ promoted world peace, love, unity, and hope. He funded various charities, and courageously broke ethnic barriers, with his motivational lyrics, "It don't matter if your black or white". Also, if you want to make a change in this world, "Start with the man in the mirror". But more importantly, like Dr. King, "Michael Jackson" inspires me, because he taught the world, "There's nothing that can't be done, if we unite as one".

Victor
6th Grade
Dumbarton Middle School
A man who cares about the world and the planet we know and love, Earth. The man who creates love, peace, and equality between groups of people. The man who cares as much for the world as he does the man in the mirror. The non-prejudiced man who doesn't care if you are black or white. The man who is good, bad, and thrilling, all at once. Michael Jackson, I salute. Rest in peace.

Will
10th Grade
Kent Island High School Martin Luther King Jr. once said that "Life's most persistent question is: what are you doing for others?" After an accident that left him paralyzed from the neck down, Christopher Reeve, made these his words to live by. While many people faced with this tragedy would have given up hope and turned inward, Reeve instead devoted his remaining years to improving the lives of others with disabilities. Faced with bleak circumstances, Reeve instead became a real superhero, devoting himself to the courageous endeavor of "doing for others".