Champions of Courage Black History Month Essay Competition Winners

The “Champions of Courage” Black History Month Essay Competition challenged students grades 6 through 12 to write a brief essay saluting their personal hero who has shared with them the dream of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. More than 4000 students representing 80 area schools entered the competition.

Congratulations to the following 20 finalists and their Champions of Courage!

Aliya
Western High School
Five days a week, Anthony Lewis, director of the Cecil Kirk After School Program says to the elementary children, "No education, no life, so let's get this homework done." He believes that the content of our minds is affected by our education and that there is no limit to where education can take you. He inspires our future generation that if we have a dream all we have to do is open our eyes for it to come true.

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Danielle
Perry Hall High School
I would like to recognize Temple Grandin as a “Champion of Courage.” Like Dr. King, she was able to overcome many obstacles to become a role model for people often misunderstood and treated with disrespect. Grandin’s work shows that accepting people with different needs and abilities benefits everyone in the long run. Her dedication and courage are the ideals of Dr. King, and all who would dream of a better world.

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Darius
Northeast Middle School
My grandmother is my champion of courage. Just like Dr. King motivated a race of people to have hope and aim for a better way of life, my grandmother motivates me to have hope even though from day-to-day I am faced with violence on every street corner. The hope that my grandmother has given me makes me attend school everyday so that one day I will have a good life and provide for my family.

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Darren
St. Agnes School
Heroic, inspirational, strong, and a man of integrity is how I describe President Barack Obama. He has shown me that if you believe and focus on what you want, you can achieve anything you set your mind to. Like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., he has shown that we have the power to overcome tremendous obstacles and become great leaders. Thank you, Barack Hussein Obama for your example of perseverance, insight, and wisdom.

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De'Vante
Fallstaff Elementary/Middle School
My uncle Aaron Better always told me to keep all my dreams in sight. He also taught me that just because someone is from a different race you shouldn’t treat them differently. As my champion of courage, he has also taught me the importance of education- he is currently studying at Penn State University to advance in his career. I hope to become an example of his teachings by keeping my dreams alive, working for justice for all people, and attending college to be the most educated person I can be.

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Emily.
Loch Raven High School
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, “All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence.” My church’s music director named Kate lives this tenant to the fullest every day. Though a graduate of Peabody, Kate uses her talent to uplift others, not to further her own image. She works constantly to empower individuals to embrace their own talents and to reach out to others through music’s universal attraction. Everyday Kate undertakes a humble labor with painstaking excellence simply to spread joy.

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Erin
St. John's School
“I have a dream…” When I hear those words, I think of my great-uncle, Father Paul Mullaney, and how he played a part in Dr. King’s mission. My great-uncle granted permission for Dr. King and his followers to camp overnight on his church’s grounds, since no hotels permitted them to stay. The bishop didn’t approve, but my great-uncle let them stay. My great-uncle believed in equality and peace, which inspires me to be a better person and not judge anyone.

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Joe.
Lime Kiln Middle School
Martin Luther King, Jr. said that he had a dream, and so does my champion of courage, Daryl Burch. Instead of having a dream for humanity, he has a dream for us. He is my debate coach but he has become so much more. He is someone who I enjoy seeing. He inspires me to do my best just so I can meet his ever so demanding expectations. He is the sole manifestation of determination and perseverance. He inspires me to envision our goals in this manner; I don’t need easy, just possible.

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Jordan
St. Joseph School, Fullerton
"Give light and people will find the way." This is one of Ella Baker’s inspirational quotes. Ella Baker was an African American civil rights activist. She worked alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for the equal rights of her brethren. Baker believed that voting was one key to freedom. She fought to register African American voters and encouraged the youth to use their voices. Because of this, Ella Baker has inspired me to share my voice with the world.

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Kevin
Cardinal Shehan School
Michael Jackson relates to Martin Luther King, Jr. because he has wanted peace without violence. He was a caring man who made donations to charities. He even made songs like “Man in the Mirror” and “Change the World” for people to change their ways. He spent his whole life helping others and showing compassion. Michael Jackson was a true Champion of Courage.

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Kevin
Oakland Mills High School
Every day we give him everything we have, not out of fear, but out of respect. He takes any kid that is willing to try, and he teaches us to make big moves. For always encouraging me to have a “big second half”, Coach Phil Lang is my Champion of Courage. He is a man who never gives up always leading us to try our best. He never leaves any kid behind, regardless of background, skill, or ability. No one pushes us as hard to succeed as our coach, and Champion of Courage, Coach Phil Lang.

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Lashaun
Western High School
Like a falcon, she soars above her prey. Like a horse, she races to the horizon of independence and strength. A woman of dedication, value, and courage my champion is Tyra Banks. She is an inspiration to all girls, including me, telling us that we have the ability, power, and mentality to discover who we are and to make changes in the world. I salute Tyra Banks, a visionary for all young women.

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Laurence
Pikesville High School
The strength to be peaceful in one's actions but powerful in one's words is one life lesson and moral I have learned from the teachings of Martin Luther King through my rabbi, Rabbi Pasah Diskin. He is a good family friend, who has taught me how to be influential to others through peaceful methods such as talking things out and giving strong arguments and speeches. These skills are the same ones that Dr. King used in his life, and they molded him into the righteous, well spoken leader he was. I hope someday through my peaceful yet strong, actions and words to become as great as Dr. King.

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Lexus
Oakland Mills High School
A woman pale and light as someone of European descent, but with roots and heritage as dark as the earth’s soil. Born during a time where if you were lighter than a paper bag, you were considered white, but if you were known to have any African descendents, then your blood was poisoned and you were outcast by both sides. She faced prejudice all through her life because she was black, but the color of any white person. My great grandmother is my champion of courage because she always opened he door to her home and her heart, regardless of their skin tone or background.

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Maggie
Arbutus Middle School
Poverty. It’s everywhere. I want to make a difference, but I’m only a little girl. That’s why Elizabeth Banks is my champion of courage. When she gets out of medical school, she wants to provide healthcare for people who can’t afford their own. She has travelled all around the world finding places that she can help. She has shown me that anyone can make a difference. When I grow up, I want to follow in her footsteps and help others in need. I will make a difference.

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Owen
Dumbarton Middle School
Jackie Robinson is the man I look up to. He was a great baseball player and he was the one who showed that anybody of any race can do anything. He had the mental strength to not give up no matter how much he was made fun of or hurt. Jackie was not only a great baseball player he was a teacher of integrity character and race relations and that will stand much longer than baseball statistics.

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Rachel
Hereford High School
Bonnie to her friends, Grandma to me, Mrs. Losey to her students, spent her days teaching first graders to accept others, she created a safe haven for kids who didn't have one, and was surrounded by a room full of thank yous. Grandma taught me to love unconditionally and accept others, no matter what. Like Dr. King, she taught others to love others and themselves. She loved and she never stopped loving. She gave and she never stopped giving. She lived and although her breath has stopped, she will be remembered.

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Sharon
Burleigh Manor Middle
In Tae Kwon Do, I have noticed that Master Lim does not only teach kicks, punches and self-defense but important qualities we need to live a successful life. He demonstrates many qualities such as integrity, perseverance, self-control, respect, and determination. He has earned respect from many people and is a great role model to look up to. Thanks to Master Lim, Tae Kwon Do is not only a place to train myself physically, but a place to train my personality, to try to gain those qualities and become a better person and a leader.

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Tom
St. Joan of Arc School
My role model for Champions of Courage is Father Foley because he has donated all his life to teaching that everybody is the same only with unique personality and that we all can live in harmony and peace together. Father Foley also teaches that we are all the same in the eyes of God and that it’s not bad to have a friend of family member of another race. Martin Luther King also fought nonviolently for the right of equality that is also what Father Foley does and that is why I chose Father Foley as my Champions of Courage.

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Zach
Burleigh Manor Middle School
After years of imprisonment, one man stood up against oppression. After decades of apartheid rule, one man put a stop to the evil. He refused to seek vengeance on those who had hurt him, and inspired the people of South Africa to look at themselves as a united nation of many races. He inspired me to stand up for what I believe in. I will be more courageous and I will not back down when I see injustice. Nelson Mandela never gave up and neither should we.
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