The City of Leander and Leander ISD are proud to continue our annual tradition of honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through the MLK Student Essay and Video Contest. This year’s theme, “Teach Them Well: The Future Starts With Us,” invites students to reflect on the power of knowledge, leadership, and community in shaping a better future.

Dr. King once said, “The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character—that is the goal of true education.” In that spirit, we invite all Leander ISD students to share their thoughts on how they can teach, lead, and inspire in their own communities.

This contest is a meaningful way to celebrate Dr. King’s legacy, uplift student voices, and showcase the skills they’re developing in the classroom. More than $1,000 in prizes will be awarded to top entries!

Contest Details

  • Who Can Enter: All Leander ISD students
  • How to Submit: Use this Google Form to submit. If your video is too large to attach, upload it to Google Drive or YouTube and share access with [email protected].
  • Deadline: December 31, 2025
  • Prizes: Over $1,000 in prizes will be awarded!

For questions or assistance, email [email protected].

High School Students (Grades 9–12)

As future leaders and community builders, how can you be a teacher—by example, by action, or by voice? After learning more about Dr. King and the civil rights movement (through books, videos, podcasts, etc.), respond to the following:

  • Reflect: Who are the people that have “taught you well”? What values or lessons have they passed on, and how will you apply them to build a better future for others?
  • Lead: How can your actions today teach or inspire younger students, your peers, or your community to carry forward Dr. King’s vision of justice and equality?

Requirements:

  • Essays: Must be original, typed, and double-spaced. High school essays should not exceed 1,000 words.
  • Videos: Must be 60–120 seconds and can be individual or group entries. Students may submit both an essay and a video.
  • Include a cover sheet with the student’s name, school, grade level, phone number, and email (this information should not appear in the essay or headers/footers).

Middle School Students (Grades 6–8)

Dr. King believed that everyone—no matter their age—can lead and uplift others. After learning about his life and work, respond to the following:

  • Explore: What is something important you’ve learned that you want to pass on to others?
  • Imagine: How can you help make your school or neighborhood a place where everyone feels valued, heard, and inspired to grow?

Requirements:

  • Essays: Must be original, typed, and double-spaced. Middle school essays should not exceed 500 words.
  • Videos: Must be 60–120 seconds and can be individual or group entries. Students may submit both an essay and a video.
  • Include a cover sheet with the student’s name, school, grade level, phone number, and email (this information should not appear in the essay or headers/footers).

Elementary School Students (Grades K–5)

Dr. King taught us that even small actions can help build a better future. After learning about Dr. King and the civil rights movement (by reading a book, watching a video, or listening to a podcast), respond to the following:

  • Think: What is one thing you’ve learned that can help make the world better?
  • Create: What is one big action and one small action you can take to help teach kindness, fairness, or peace in your school or neighborhood?

Requirements:

  • Writing Samples: Should not exceed one side of a page (typed or handwritten) and can include illustrations or original artwork.
  • Videos: Must be 30–120 seconds and can be individual or group entries. Students may submit both a written entry and a video.

Include a cover sheet with the student’s name, school, grade level, phone number, and email (this information should not appear in the essay or headers/footers).