Three local students have been selected as the winners of the 2021 Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast Tomorrow’s Leaders presented by VyStar Credit Union essay contest. The announcement was made Tuesday, Jan. 5, by Mayor Lenny Curry, who made unexpected visits to the students’ schools and virtual classroom to share the news in front of their teachers and classmates.
“Our children are our future and these students in particular have written essays that came from their hearts and from the impact that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. has made on their lives,” said Mayor Lenny Curry. “It is an honor for me to congratulate and surprise these deserving Duval County students who work hard every day in their classrooms, their homes and in their communities.”
Tomorrow’s Leaders presented by VyStar Credit Union is a component of the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast that recognizes young students in our community who exemplify the philosophies of Dr. King through leadership, community volunteerism and civic responsibility.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said “I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.” This year, students submitted essays sharing about times in their lives where they've chosen love over hate even when it seemed like they might not be able to. The City of Jacksonville is humbled to award these deserving elementary, middle and high school students.
The 2021 Tomorrow’s Leaders presented by VyStar Credit Union winners are:
- Elementary First Place: Caden Cohen, 5th Grade, Central Riverside Elementary
- Middle School First Place: Charlotte Kessler, 8th Grade, LaVilla School of the Arts
- High School First Place: Jagger Leach, 12th Grade, Stanton College Preparatory
- Elementary Runner-Up: Kaiyida King, 4th Grade, Chimney Lakes Elementary
- Middle School Runner-Up: Sofia King, 7th Grade, LaVilla Schools of the Arts
- High School Runner-Up: Janay Wright-Williams, 12th Grade, Atlantic Coast High
For more information, please visit
JaxMLKBreakfast.com.
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