Several Green Bay Area Public School District Students and Staff were recognized at the 30th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration on Saturday, January 18, 2025. This year’s theme was “A Vision for Peace: Keep the Dream Alive.”

Students submitted art work and written works for the annual poster, essay and poetry contest. 

K-3rd Grade Awards

2nd - Mithran Arun Kumar, Leonardo da Vinci School for Gifted Learners

4-6 Grade Awards

1st - Marco Olson Guillen, Red Smith School

My name is Marco and I am in 4th grade at Red Smith. I like to keep Martin Luther King's dream alive by being a peaceful person. I like Martin Luther King because he was fighting for us and fighting for peace. When I was born, my birthmom could not take care of me so I was placed for adoption. A kind family adopted me. I was born in Milwaukee, but now I live in Green Bay. My birthdad is African American. My ancestors are from Africa and I believe that they are doing the best that they can for my brothers and sisters and cousins. I pray that they have good rights in Africa. That they are treated with respect, kindness, and care. I want them to have a good and peaceful life, and make sure that they are provided with food and water.

I have an open adoption and my parents have stayed in contact with my biological family in Milwaukee. When I turned 9 years old, we went to Milwaukee to see my biological family. They are really nice and they always show love to me when we visit them. For my birthday, we met up with them at a restaurant. My birthmom and birthdad were there, and my birthdad's family. I loved seeing my biological grandma, aunties and cousins. When I am with my biological cousins I feel happy, confident and excited. That is because they look like me and are energetic like I am. Even though we don't see each other that often, we still feel like family when we are together. I told them that I did DNA testing and found out that I am from Ghana and Russia. They told me that is true, we have relatives who live in Ghana now. I really hope I can visit them one day.

It was so much fun that I was thinking about asking them if I could have a sleepover with them. I am happy that my family and my biological family get along so I can spend time with all of them. When I am with my biological family and my adoptive family I feel like we are keeping Martin Luther King's dream alive for peace between all people.

3rd - Vaidurya Vadapalli, Leonardo da Vinci School for Gifted Learners

Could you ever imagine living in a world where it felt like different races had two separate lives? Some of the laws back then were that black and white people had to go to different schools, water fountains, bathrooms, and public parks. The black also had to give up their seat and stand if a white person wanted their seat while riding a bus.

This was the terrible life that the black people had to go through earlier in the United States of America. But this determined, powerful man decided to put an end to this. All he ever wanted was peace, freedom/liberty, and equality. He was a great leader, also a unique speaker.

Who was this amazing man you ask? Martin Luther King Jr.

He was born on January 15th, 1929, in Atlanta, Georgia. Martin and his family were Christians, and his dad was a pastor. Martin always wanted all the people to be treated fairly, he protested peacefully even when someone threw a bomb into his house, hit with a brick. He loved his white brothers and "chose to hate with love" only. How would it feel being bullied in a classroom based on how I looked, studied in class or my grades only instead of overall me as a student. I will peacefully behave in school and try to love each other like brothers and sisters and not hurt them back.

Dr. King is a peaceful leader who fought against 'White Only' buses, restrooms, lunch areas by "making people think, feel, and change with powerful words."

Honorable Mention - Madison Thomas, Langlade Elementary School

Martin Luther King Junior wanted peace. He knew there was good and bad in everyone. Martin believed we should love our enemies because God wants us to.

One way I think we can work for peace is to believe in others and to love them for who they are. No matter what gender or skin tone, love will see you through.

Another way we can work for peace is by being kind. Don't be rude or blame someone for something you did. Work for peace by treating others the way you want them to treat you.

We can all work for peace by being a good friends. Never shout, always be a listener. Don't hurt others when you are feeling angry. When someone is hurt, help them. If you don't know someone's name, tell them your name and ask, "Do you wanna be friends?" Be a friend to others.

My final way we can work for peace is to be helpful. Help people when they need something, or if they're having a bad day. If someone falls, help them back up. Those are a few ways we can follow Mr. Luther King Junior's vision for PEACE:

Love everyone.

Be a friend.

Help.

Be kind.

7-9 Grade Awards

1st - Austin Liu, Leonardo da Vinci School for Gifted Learners

2nd - Leen Nusrat, Leonardo da Vinci School for Gifted Learners

Imagine a world where children of any race can play together, creating bonds that surpass racial boundaries. Their laughter echoing the promise of a future free from hate and racial discrimination. This is the vision Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. fought for; a world where people are valued and judged by their character rather than the color of their skin. His dream remains relevant, as we sadly still see discrimination, division, and hatred happening in our society. Growing up in America as an Arab-American muslim, I have seen both the beauty of unity and the harsh realities of hatred among others. Dr. King's vision draws attention to the importance of equality among our society. His dream inspires many to embrace diversity and advocate for inclusivity and justice.

I remember once in elementary school, I participated in a class activity where we shared about our different backgrounds. You could see the joy and the excitement of everyone in the room as each child shared about their unique culture and religions. This class discussion highlighted the beauty of diversity for me, and made every child in the classroom feel a sense of connection and belonging.

We as young people have the power to shape the future and keep Dr. King's dream alive. But keeping this dream alive requires action. By actively working together to bring peace, and unity. We honor Dr. King's legacy by keeping his words and actions alive through us. Dr. King's dream emphasizes that peace is not just the absence of hatred and conflict, but also the presence of understanding and respect with one another.

3rd - Isabella Guzmann-Vera, Edison Middle School

Honorable Mention - Gisell Ponce Prieto, Edison Middle School

Honorable Mention - Sola Newton-Sallmann, Leonardo da Vinci School for Gifted Learners

Still, his dream lives on, For inspiration never dies, It stays forever.

With it in our hearts, We continue improving, Taking peace farther.

We make room for love, The sole solution to hate,

A Vision for Peace: Keep the Dream Alive

And better ourselves. And we can all help, Saying no to violence, Making the right choice. For me, I choose peace, And bringing good to the world, I choose to be kind.

To care for others,

Because all people matter,

And all acts matter.

We can all do good,

And we can all be peaceful,

And better ourselves.

We can change the world,

If we do it together,

And are united.

The power of words,

And the power of reason,

Can make an impact.

It is up to us,

To choose a peaceful future,

To live together.

One society,

It is our wonderful goal,

United, peaceful.

Let this bring you hope:

He still lives on with his dream,

Peace will always live.

10-12 Grade Awards

2nd - Althea Samantha Balatucan, Preble High School

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Staff were also recognized with the Ebiere “Juliet” Cole award, which recognizes those who create and/or advance community within Brown County. ​The GBAPS staff were recognized in the following categories.

“I Have a Dream” Teacher Award

Madeline Schultz - Edison Middle School

Karen Navarro - Edison Middle School

 

Community Award Recognition Certificate Honorees

Mindi Pichla - Bilingual teacher for GBAPS

Brett Borski - Teacher, King Elementary School

Abie Vang - Teacher, Washington Middle School

Julie Srenaski - Teacher, Franklin Middle School

Heather Zelzer - Associate Principal, West High School

 

Ebiere “Juliet” Cole Community Award

Jeason Thomas, Manager of Student Engagement, Attendance and Advocacy, Franklin Middle School