To honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the City of Savage Community Equity Commission is holding its annual MLK Jr. Essay/ Poetry Contest. Students are asked to select an MLK Jr. quote and write an essay or poem around how the quote applies to their own lived experience and its meaning or impact. The work may include reflection on the importance of his words and how to carry their legacy forward in our community.
MLK Jr. Essay contest criteria:
- Open to students in grades 5-12 who live in Savage or attend school in the Shakopee School District (ISD 720), Burnsville- Eagan-Savage School District (ISD 191), or Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools (ISD 719). This is also open to private and home-schooled students in these districts.
- The essay or poem must not be more than 800 words.
- Submissions must be your own work and may not include the use of AI.
- Only one submission per individual.
- Submissions will be accepted 12/1/25 - 1/6/26.
Submissions should be uploaded as a Microsoft Word document at this link: MLK Jr. Essay/ Poetry Contest. Submissions can be in any language. If individuals are unable to submit the work electronically or need to request reasonable accommodation, please contact Communications@savagemn.gov or call 952-882-2660.
The Community Equity Commission, working with the Rotary Club of Savage and the Rotary Club of Prior Lake, will look through all the submissions and pick one winner from grades 5 - 8 and one winner from grades 9–12. We’ll announce the winners at the City Council meeting on January 20, 2026. Everyone who participates can choose to receive a commemorative T-shirt.
