11/12/2026
Sarasota County high school students are invited to participate in the SCBA Council for Diversity and Inclusion’s 2026 Martin Luther King Jr. Essay Contest.
This year’s theme is Building the Beloved Community. Students can choose from two essay prompts exploring reconciliation, justice, love, and the power of community.
Cash prizes will be awarded:
First Place: $1,000
Second Place: $500
Third Place: $250
The first-place winner will also have the opportunity to read their essay at the Annual Dr. King Celebration on January 17, 2027.
Essays must be original, no longer than 500 words, and submitted online by Friday, November 20, at 5 p.m. The use of generative AI to write or substantially edit essays is prohibited.
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Contest details, essay prompts, guidelines, and the submission form are available here: https://www.sarasotabar.com/page/DrMartinLutherKingJrEssayWritingContest