Details and Rules of Entry for the Speech on the Steps Scholarship contest 2024

Honoring Dr. King’s legacy through artistic expression, we invite high school Juniors and Seniors from Keller, TX ISD to submit one creative entry on the for a chance to win a $250 scholarship.

This year’s topic is:

 Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech 

Dr. King writes “I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.” What did Dr. King mean by the phrase “oasis of freedom”? What would the state of an oasis look like today?

Choose one of four mediums for your original submission:

1.     Essay – must be 500 words, double-spaced, and cited with MLA (if quotes are used).

2.     Poetry – minimum of 200 words can be written in any type of style (iambic pentameter, Haiku, free verse, etc.)

3.     Dance or Song – must be recorded and emailed in a clear, quality video. If submitting a song, please include a copy of your lyrics; if submitting a dance, please include one paragraph explaining how elements of your art piece relate directly to the topic.  Your recording should be no longer than 3 minutes.

4.     Visual and Physical Art – can be sculpture, painting, knitting, sketches, woodworking – anything! Include one paragraph explaining how elements of your art piece relate directly to the topic.

Due Dates and Timelines

January 6th: All essays, poetry, photos of visual or physical art, dance, and song submissions must be submitted via the SUBMIT ENTRIES HERE box below.

Please include your name, your grade, the title of your project (and project description if a dance submission), and a way to contact you on the status of your entry.

If your file is too large to send via email, please reach out to us and we will make arrangements for a Google Drive link!

January 8th: Visual and physical art should be dropped off at the SPECS Diversity Lounge and Museum between 6:30 pm CST and 8:00 pm CST – 133B Pecan Street, Keller, TX 76248. Please include a label with your name, your grade, the title of your project, and a way to contact you on the status of your entry.

January 9th: The winner will be announced.

January 15th: The SPECS movement will showcase the winner at our MLK Speech on the Steps event 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm at the Keller Town Hall, Keller TX. Winners will be invited to read, perform, and display and explain their artwork.

Questions, Comments, Concerns?

Ask us here in our request more info box!