The W.G. (Bill) Hefner VA Medical Center is inviting area students to share in the facility’s celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday by participating in an essay contest.

The theme for the celebration will be “From Washington to Memphis,” and there will be three levels of competition – elementary (kindergarten through fifth-grade students), middle school (sixth- through eighth-graders) and high school (ninth- through 12th-grade students).

Elementary students should write a 150-word essay answering the question, “How has King’s dream impacted your life?”

Middle schoolers should submit a 500-word essay based on the following prompt: “King’s dream – is there still work to be done as it relates to equality?”

High school students should answer the prompt, “What difference can I make to help King’s dream become a reality?” The essay should be at least 750 words long.

Essays can be typed using 12-point font in Arial or Times New Roman with one-inch margins, and should include a header and footer.  If essays are handwritten, they must be legible.

Essays should be mailed to:

W.G. (Bill) Hefner VA Medical Center (001C)

MLK, Jr. Essay Contest

Attn: Chaplain Revis

1601 Brenner Avenue

Salisbury, NC  28144

They can also be dropped off at the facility chaplain’s office in building No. 19.

Essays must be received at the medical center no later than Jan. 5. Winners and their schools will be notified no later than Jan. 9.  The winners of the essay contest will be invited to come to the VA and read their essays Jan. 14 at 6 p.m., when they will receive their certificates.

For more information about the essay contest, call Chaplain Ethel Bamberg-Revis at 704-638-9000, ext. 2137, or call the chaplain’s office at 704-638-9000, ext. 3330.