High School
1st Place - Helina Nebiyu, Vista Del Lago High School, Folsom Cordova Unified School District
2nd Place - Haniyah Azer, Folsom High School, Folsom Cordova Unified School District
3rd Place - Zetastarr Samuel, Sacramento Charter High School, Sacramento City Unified School District

Middle School
1st Place - Abigail Godwin, Northlake TK-8, Twin Rivers Unified School District
2nd Place - Alicia Henley , Albert Einstein Middle School, Sacramento City Unified School District
3rd Place - Simra Sohail , Folsom Middle School, Folsom Cordova Unified School District

 

High School Division
Helina Nebiyu, 1st Place High School Division

A Two-Fold Education

At the age of nineteen, Martin Luther King Jr. wrote in his college’s campus newspaper that the goal of education is not only to create intelligent thinkers, but to instill character, logic, and morality to guide their actions as leaders. His writing resonates beyond the walls of Morehouse; students of both the sciences and humanities have historically misused their education to promote eugenics and racial inferiority, while others have leveraged their knowledge to support marginalized communities through research or literature. I believe that fostering socially conscious intellectuals begins before we find our specializations; it starts with how youth are taught to view the world around them. When we recognize ourselves within the broader context of our communities and see our voices as valuable, our later accomplishments stem from a place of humanity. This belief ceased to be theoretical when I encountered an education rooted in community.

My understanding of a “true” education became clear when I joined the Greater Sacramento Urban League’s Elevate Youth Cohort. Before this program, I rarely saw myself as someone who belonged to Sacramento. As an immigrant and a Black girl living in Folsom, I subconsciously felt alienated by my experiences with discrimination and ignorance; my town wasn’t my identity but simply where I lived. When I came to the GSUL Center every Tuesday, however, I found myself among youth who looked like me and shared my insights. Our curriculum focused on issues that mattered to us, including the War on Drugs, the unhoused crisis, and media bias. Each issue had a history in Sacramento, and though not all of them

affected me, I quickly learned the story of someone who was. We were given a budget to design a project based on what we learned, challenging us to move beyond discussion and into responsibility. Along with my peers, I surveyed the unhoused community in the Oak Park neighborhood and distributed care bags based on their responses. During one conversation, a person requested batteries—a simple yet crucial necessity none of us had initially considered. This experience taught me the importance of listening directly to those I wish to serve and of being educated through real interactions rather than misinformation.

As I prepare for college next year, I’m reminded of King’s concept of a two-fold education consisting of utility and culture. For my utility, I’m pursuing a degree in psychology and political science to develop the skills to collect and interpret data, conduct research, and evaluate policy. My cultural understanding is shaped by the lessons I learned through Elevate Youth; I don’t just belong to Sacramento, but can help build a more compassionate city for all its residents. As a researcher, I will focus on addressing the impact of cyclical poverty on social-emotional well-being and developing policies that restore hope to communities affected by the War on Drugs. Wherever my education takes me, I will carry not only academic knowledge but also the responsibility to use it with compassion.

Haniyah Azer, 2nd Place, High School Division

The Dream Asks Something of Me

The line from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech that has remained with me is not “I have a dream,” but the final words he spoke: “Free at last.” I first heard them as a child, sitting cross-legged on a classroom carpet, watching a faded video of him at the Lincoln Memorial. I did not really understand those words yet, but I felt their urgency. His voice carried a conviction that reached far beyond that moment in 1963. Even then, I sensed he was speaking to those who would inherit the unfinished work of his dream. He was speaking to me.

As I grew older, education gave me the language to understand what I had only felt. Learning about different cultures and histories showed me how incomplete my early understanding of the world was. Inequality is not accidental. It is built over time through laws, traditions, and what societies choose not to question. Stories of migration, resistance, and perseverance challenged ideas I had accepted simply because they were familiar. Education did more than add knowledge. It unsettled me and forced me to rethink how I listen and respond.

Dr. King believed this kind of learning was essential. In his essay “The Purpose of Education,” written while he was still a student, he argued that education must develop both intelligence and character. More than sixty years later, that challenge still stands in classrooms where students are taught information, but not always how to use it responsibly. In a world where information spreads quickly, education must teach us how to think rather than what to accept. When learning exposes us to histories different from our own, it pushes us to question assumptions, especially when those stories challenge what we already believe.

These lessons shape my vision for a better future. I imagine a community where students are encouraged to approach one another’s stories with curiosity instead of defensiveness, and where cultural understanding is treated as a shared responsibility. I want classrooms that treat listening as an active practice and teach students how to engage across difference without erasing it. Dr. King believed dignity was nonnegotiable, and I believe dignity begins with taking others seriously.

But reflection alone is not enough. Dr. King reminded us that progress requires action. Inspired by his call for creative altruism, I am committed to turning understanding into action by serving my community, creating spaces where students can speak honestly about history and identity, and leading with consistency and care. I want students to see that the lessons they learn, like Dr. King’s, are not just for themselves, but for the future we build together.

His dream asks something of me: to think critically, to act with character, and to work for a future where every person is valued.

And I am ready to answer.

 

Zetastarr Samuel, 3rd Place High School Division

Education has played a powerful role in exposing me to many cultures, histories, and perspectives different from my own, especially through experiences that extended beyond the classroom. Throughout my years in high school, one of the most significant educational opportunities I have taken advantage of has been exploring colleges and universities. Over the past few years I have visited several California State Institutions and most recently participated in the Historically Black College University Making Moves tour across Atlanta and Alabama. These experiences helped me understand that learning environments are deeply shaped by history and culture and helped me shape my understanding of what different learning environments can look like.

Visiting California State institutions allowed me to recognize the diversity of educational approaches and the different student experiences. Being exposed to these distinctions encouraged me to reflect on how different institutions serve different communities and learning styles. It helped me reflect on my own learning styles and what kind of environment would challenge me academically while still offering support in extracurricular activities beyond the classroom. The HBCU Making Moves Tour had an even deeper impact on my understanding of culture and history. Traveling to Atlanta and Alabama and visiting amazing HBCU campuses allowed me to learn about the rich legacy of these institutions and their role in enlarging access to higher education. Seeing students and faculty members who looked like me succeeding in rigorous academic spaces was incredibly inspiring. It challenged many internal doubts I had weighing on me throughout high school about whether I truly belonged in higher level academic environments and felt the pressure to prove myself and doubted my abilities. This visit especially truly showed me the importance of representation, shared history in education, and helped me witness academic excellence and culture coincide.

These educational experiences have shaped my vision for a better future, one where they have access to opportunities that allow them to discover their full potential and are expanded to all students no matter the background feel that they belong. I hope to see more higher education options, stronger support systems, and communities and institutions that make inclusion and representation a priority, so no student feels discouraged from pursuing higher education because of self doubt. Education should not only prepare students academically but also help them feel confident in who they are and where they belong. To help make this vision a reality, I am willing to continue investing in my education and encourage others to do the same. I plan to seek out impactful opportunities that allow me to grow and give back to my community. Even small actions, whether that's through mentorship, involvement in organizations, or just sharing my experiences. Education has shown me that the impossible is possible and I am committed to using what I have learned to help build more of an inclusive and promising future.

 

Middle School
Abigail Godwin, 1st Place Middle School Division

I Believe in Education

History is often written by those on stages, but it is built in the classroom. While many know Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. for his speeches, the Civil Rights Movement also relied on “Citizenship Schools” led by educator Septima Clark. She taught that education is the ultimate tool for justice. At a time when discriminatory laws used literacy tests to prevent Black citizens from voting, Clark did more than teach people how to read; she taught them how to read the Constitution and sign their names. She transformed learning into resistance. This history reminds me that education is not just about grades; it is about gaining the tools to protect my rights and the rights of others. This lesson resonates deeply with me because, in my own school, education has been a bridge to cultures beyond my own.

Through celebrations of Black History Month, Hanukkah, Diwali, and Día de los Muertos, I have learned that my community is a tapestry of different stories. Learning about my friends’ cultures and celebrating alongside them has been one of the most meaningful parts of my education. These experiences have taught me that “different” does not mean “divided.” One moment that stood out was celebrating the Lunar New Year at my best friend Ava’s house. We exchanged red envelopes, known in her native language as lai see, and I left inspired to learn more about cultures outside my own. Education, for me, has been an invitation to empathy.

But my vision for the future goes beyond celebrating holidays. I envision a world where people are genuinely accepted for who they are, regardless of race, gender, sexuality, nationality, or appearance. As Dr. King famously dreamed, I want to live in a society where we are judged by the content of our character rather than by our differences.

In my community, I see a strong need for the unity Dr. King preached. This is personal to me, as I have experienced discrimination and bullying because of my sexuality. Knowing firsthand how painful it is to be targeted has shaped my vision for a better world—one where differences are not ignored but actively respected and protected. I want to help create a community where no one has to live in fear of being themselves.

To help make this vision a reality, I am willing to take action by advocating for those who feel silenced. In middle school, advocacy often comes down to the choice between being a bystander or an upstander. A bystander watches injustice happen, while an upstander speaks out, even when it is uncomfortable. Education gives us the language and confidence to make that choice. If Dr. King and Septima Clark were willing to take risks, so am I. Just as Citizenship Schools empowered people to stand up for their rights, I will use my education to speak out against bullying and help build spaces where authenticity is celebrated, not punished. By honoring character over prejudice, I hope to carry forward the legacy they began.

 

Alicia Henley, 2nd Place Middle School Division

It’s Time To Do What Is Right

Education has helped me learn about cultures and history throughout my school career that are different from my own. School has taught me the importance of diversity regarding people with different religions, from different countries, and cultural backgrounds. Before learning about these matters, I didn't know too much about the struggles people face. Learning about Martin Luther King Jr. helped me understand how people were treated unfairly, suffering from inequalities, and disparities. Learning about the past shows us that we need to work for change, it doesn't just happen overnight. "The time is always right to do what is right.” This is a quote from Dr. King, which shows how integrity is important, how you should always do the right thing, and stand tall on your beliefs. It is crucial to stand up for change.

Dr. King believed that education was very important. He thought it could help spread peace instead of hate. In many of his speeches, he discussed his dream of a better future, where people aren't judged by the color of their skin. According to NAACP.org, “No figure is more closely identified with the mid-20th century struggle for civil rights than Martin Luther King, Jr.” as well as, “King's legacy has inspired activists fighting injustice anywhere in the world.” This truly reflects how he advocated for change and inspired people all over the world. Learning about Dr. King's life and his journey has shown me that even one person can inspire many others and change history.

My vision of a better future is a community where everyone is equal, safe, included, and well respected. I would like to see more kindness and inclusion in schools instead of discrimination and violence. I would like people to respecfully listen to each other, especially while holding different opinions and perspectives. Just as Martin Luther King Jr. had wanted, I too hope for a future where people seamlessly work together and care for one another`. To help

this future happen, I will take small and important actions such as standing up for others and being kind to everyone. I plan to educate myself on important and often polarizing topics in today’s political climate. Education helps make the future we are striving for possible by teaching young people the difference between right and wrong, implications of their actions and inactions by showing them what has happened as a result of these historical events and impactful individuals that made a positive difference in society and quality of life for many. If everyone tries to make a small difference, we can be closer to the future that Martin Luther King Jr. wanted and that society deserves.

Simra Sohail, 3rd Place Middle School Division

Every day, we come to school to learn. To expand our knowledge of the world around us. But we don’t simply just learn English or history, we learn about different cultures and backgrounds. In English, all the eighth graders in school read a book called “Refugee”. In that book, there were three kids with completely different cultures, backgrounds, and ways of life. I learned so much about Jewish traditions and even picked up on a little Spanish. In seventh grade history, we learned about how people’s cultures affected how they lived their lives. Some people were polytheistic, and some were monotheistic. Some people believed that peace and tranquility was the only way to lead a good life, while others fought for what they believed in. When I was little, I never knew there were so many different beliefs and cultures in the world. But now as I look around my community, I see all different kinds of people, who each have something special about themselves. I’ve never gone to such a diverse school before, where people of completely different backgrounds are best friends. If we all come together, we could create an everlasting example of a diverse community. We can prove to future and past generations that if we as human beings come together and look past our differences, we can achieve anything beyond our wildest dreams. I believe there is only one obstacle in our way to achieve this loving community. Racism. I wonder if racism was just an excuse to spread hate because people thought it was easier than spreading love. We don’t have to stick with what happened in the past. We can build our own future by ending racism. The first step to overcoming this obstacle, is to think about what you say to others. Don’t put anyone down because they are different from you, but bring them up and help them shine; because if someone has confidence, they will spread it like a wildfire. After you understand your behavior towards others and start saying kind words to people, move on to the second step. If you see someone being racist to someone

else, stand up to that person. Tell them to stop spreading pointless hate. Sometimes it’s hard to stand up to someone, but think: I don’t need to be scared of them. If I present my voice with confidence, I could help make a change in the world. After you do that, go up to the person that was being put down and comfort them. Anyone who has been affected by racism should know: You are enough. You don’t have to prove yourself to anyone else. Don’t change for others, because as long as you remember who you are, those words can’t hurt you. Don’t listen to the hate, because if you believe in yourself, you don’t need to care about what anyone else thinks. If everyone makes an effort to do this in their lives, we can someday end racism forever.