Feb. 2, 2022 -- Three Roxboro Middle School students are among the winners of the 32nd Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Essay Contest sponsored by East View United Church of Christ in Shaker Heights.

In the seventh and eighth grade division, Henry Dyck won first place, Gabriel Mallamad won second place, and Meghan Marshall won third. All three students are in eighth grade. The essay prompt was: "What challenges have you faced during the COVID pandemic as a student, and how did you overcome them?" In all, nine Greater Cleveland students won scholarships totaling $1,575 in this year's contest.

Henry, Gabriel, Meghan, and their social studies teacher, Wendy Ward, were recognized by Superintendent Elizabeth Kirby and the CH-UH Board of Education during their monthly regular meeting on February 1.

 

The winners were announced at a virtual MLK Program on January 17. Educator and East View Church member William Baylis II was the keynote speaker. As the Academy Leader at Reynoldsburg High School, Baylis spoke on the need for educators to need to pivot during times of crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

Since the contest began, East View Church has donated more than $45,000 in scholarships to Greater Cleveland students. The Rev. Jeremy Wanton II is the pastor.