
Congratulations to the winners of Polk County’s 24th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Essay Challenge!
The contest is open each year to students in grades K-12. In addition to a cash prize, winning students read their essays during the awards ceremony dinner, which was held last night at the Bartow Civic Center.
The Essay Challenge is held in partnership between PCPS and Polk’s Community Relations Advisory Council. This year’s theme was “I can make a difference: How will I change the world using non-violence?”
And the winners are ...
Elementary school, grades K-2
- First place: Jordan Frazier, Citrus Ridge: A Civics Academy
- Second place: Kori Wolfe, Citrus Ridge: A Civics Academy
- Third place: Laya Mithun Kumar, Winston Academy of Engineering

Elementary school, grades 3-5
- First place: Delaney Cyr, Willow Oak School
- Second place: Antonio Welch, Blake Academy
- Third place: Gia Sanchez, Citrus Ridge: A Civics Academy

Middle school
- First place: Katerina Cintron, Discovery Academy
- Second place: Piper Christian, Magnolia Montessori Academy
- Third place: Eliseabella Petty, Daniel Jenkins Academy

High school
- First place: Payton James, Chain of Lakes Collegiate High
- Second place: Evie Mae Stewart, Chain of Lakes Collegiate High
- Third place: Journi Donaldson, Lakeland Gateway to College Collegiate High

