Editor’s Note: This essay was submitted to the Athens-Limestone Martin Luther King Jr. essay contest, where it won first place in the sixth through eighth-grade division. Will Anderson read the essay aloud to those in attendance at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day program held Jan. 21 at the Limestone County Event Center. With permission from Anderson and his parents, The News Courier is proud to share this essay with its readers.

Martin Luther King Jr. is attributed with the quote, “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about the things that matter.” It takes a lot of courage to speak out when people are mistreated. Mr. King was not afraid to take a stand for what is right, and I admire him for trying to make a difference for so many.

As an 11-year-old boy who has been diagnosed with attention deficit disorder, I know what it is like to be mistreated due to not fault of your own. I have been bullied, made fun of, called “weird” and even told that I was not “normal” because I have trouble focusing and sitting still. I fidget a lot and even like to fiddle with objects in my hand when I talk or read.

A few years ago, I was on a soccer team, and because the games were long, I sometimes lost focus. During one of the games, I lost focus and did not block a goal. Because of this, our team lost. I did not do it on purpose, but one of my teammates got really mad. After the game, he came up to me and told me that I should just go home and kill myself since I could not pay attention.

Those words were very hurtful to me, because winning a game was more important to him than my feelings and even my life.

After the game, I told my parents what happened. I said I was sorry for losing focus and that all I wanted was to be “normal.” My parents had a long talk with me and told me that people are sort of like puzzle pieces. We are all unique and “normal,” because we were created by God. They said God creates us just like he wants us and God does not make mistakes.

My parents also said when all the pieces fit and work together, it is a beautiful thing, just like God planned for it to be. Mom and Dad told me that I can’t control what other people do or say, but I could be a good example by treating others with love and respect and taking a stand for what is right. They also said I should talk with my coach about what happened.

After I thought about it for awhile, I decided that my parents were right. So I talked with my coach about the situation. I am not sure what happened after I talked with him, but I felt better because I stood up for the right thing.

On August 28, 1963, in his famous “I Have a Dream” speech, Mr. King stated, “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” It is my dream that one day children will stop the bullying and try to understand that children who may be different just want to be accepted and allowed to be who they are.

I also dream of a time where people aren’t afraid to take a stand for what is right.

MLK essay, art contest winners

The following students were selected as winners in the Athens-Limestone Martin Luther King Jr. essay or art contest. Winners were given the chance to read their essay and display their art at the Martin Luther King Jr. Day program Jan. 21 at the Limestone County Event Center:

Essay

Grades 2-3

First place — Giannah McKinnie

Second place — Madisyn Marshall

Third place — Kurt Marshall Jr.

Grades 4-5

First place — Zyan McKinnie

Second place — Tori White

Third place — Torriente White II

Grades 6-8

First place — Will Anderson

Art

Grades 2-5

First place — Madisyn Marshall

Second place — Darian Camarena

Third place — Haylie Sontay

Grades 6-12

First place — Natalie White

Second place — Brenda Marcial

Third place — Aysa Taylor