| Scholarship Winners | Quotations from Scholarship Winners' Essay |
| Janessa Alderete Los Luna High School | "... Many of Dr. King's word speak so strongly to me, and I hope to live up to his expectations and help others realize that together we can achieve. King spoke not only about racial prejudice, but also of the path of freedom and unconditional love for each other." |
| Victoria Anderson Highland High School | "... Dr, King was and continues to be an inspiration and positive role model for not only those who were lucky enough to experience his speeches and teaching first hand, but to the people of today. If only we took the time to address discrimination and tolerance more, people would realize we are still fighting similar battles that have plagued society for hundreds of years..." |
| Jennifer Aragon New Futures High School | "... Dr. King's words speak to me on a personal level because I am thankful for what Dr. King did for the American culture. He was an amazing man in our history. He was the heart and soul of the movement to end racism in this country and contributes to freedom of speech for everybody." |
| Neal Behrendt La Cueva High School | "...Dr. King a prophet of social justice established the moral and ethical bases of the civil rights movement. Dr. King was ahead of his time in his vision for a just and peaceful society. Every person must make an effort for social change. To have any sort of unity with which to assist our brothers and sisters in crisis we must have both empathy and compassion..." |
| Denette Brown Del Norte High School | "...Dr. Martin Luther King's practices have also given me the right to act upon my own intuition. As an African American I am grateful to have the benefit of expressing my individuality. The right to vote represents on of the few ways Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s, teachings benefits all ethnicities. Unlike previous African Americans, I am granted the option to elect representatives, who are capable of representing my morals, beliefs and opinions...." |
| Lisa Bustos Del Norte High School | "...Throughout American history we have been witnesses to acts of cruelty, violence and disregard. These were the three evils that comprised Dr. King's Nobel Lecture. With love as the foremost weapon in his arsenal, Dr. King addressed these problems. After reading Dr. King's works I came to realize as Americans we have stripped love of all its might and defined it as something fluffy and weak...." |
| Joshua Carson Sandia High School | "...Dr. King believed all men are caught in a network of mutually tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly. The world must follow the dreams of Dr. King and spread the message far and wide. I want to go to college to ensure my prosperity and follow the dream..." |
| Tambra Duty Valley High School | "...Dr. King's words speak to me on a very personal level because they have inspired me to have a positive outlook on life. Dr. King believed that all cultures, races and denominations should come together in peace and harmony accepting one another for who they are..." |
| Abdul Majeed Qurbanzada Del Norte High School | "...Anytime I read Dr. King's writings, I see more responsibility in myself and take a "direct action." He gave us a lesson that if we "wait" for a just society, that "wait" becomes "never." Dr. King's marches give us courage to face "unjust." His foresight of equality contributes a hope, making me to bring a difference for the betterment of society..." |
| Christian Hammond Rio Rancho High School | "...Thanks to the hard work and accomplishments of Dr. King, I am able to live my life without fear and in a society where I am not judged by the color of my skin but the content of my character. Dr. King's accomplishments are and always will be deeply appreciated..." |
| Katelyn Hendren Belen High School | "...My life has been changing from reading his speech at school and watching movies of his life. I think now I can be a moral and caring as he was. I want to make a difference in someone's life! Keeping that in mind, I strive to see past the racial differences and see the true person under the skin..." |
| Laura Hollinger La Cueva High School | "...Dr. King once said, "The ultimate measure of man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." There are lessons to be learned because Dr. King died fighting for his beliefs. I only hope that when confronted with challenge and controversy, I too can live the examples set by my ancestors and Dr. King..." |
| Angelica Isennock Del Norte High School | "...After learning about the life of Dr. King I was filled with the sense of inspiration to do right for others. Dr. King was willing to take that first step in standing proud for his beliefs. I now understand that he as a brave man, and he put a thought into my head about working hard...." |
| Milos Marhanovic Del Norte High School | "...Dr. King's belief on nonviolence and the belief that all people should be equal mimics my belief. He gave new meaning to humanity and compassion. Dr. King's life and his struggles parallel my life and my experience. I too, know how it is to be denied certain rights in a country. I was born and grew up in war-torn country named Bosnia Herzegovina.." |
| Stephanie N. Broshious Eldorado High School | "...He [Dr. King] exposed the good side of humanity and showed the world a piece of his soul. By peacefully offering his ideas, he proved that humans are always trying to better their situation in the world. He succeeded in presenting a new light on the injustice in the world and he changed it." |
| Paul Palmer III Rio Rancho High School | "...Dr King's example gives me the confidence to know that I have the ability to overcome insurmountable odds, to accomplish all of my hopes and dreams and to successfully reach my full potential in life. Dr. King's most famous statement: "Freedom has always been an expensive thing." The price is the choices I will make in life..." |
| Manuel Perea IV Los Lunas High School | "...I look up to Dr. King in every aspect of life. I appreciate Dr. King and endure his teaching. America is so great because of what Dr. King accomplished. He did not have to use violence, but used non-violent social strategies. Thank you Dr. King...." |
| Jodene Romero West Mesa High School | "...Dr. King stressed the importance of spirituality in the crusades for equal aspects of life. I hope when I grow up I could give a moving speech that will teach millions of people like Dr. King did. I want to become a teacher that will teach young children. Teach them society matters, color does not. Thanks to Dr. King for making a stand for American...." |
| Andre Singletary Albuquerque High School | "...This past year I had to be reminded that Dr. King walked alone, when I experienced some of the same injustices that he fought against. Dr. King established amendments to bring to light to the injustice to a nation of people. Dr. King sacrificed his very existence to bring this dream to pass....." |
| Kayla Worley New Futures High School | "...From the lessons of Dr. King, our lives on earth should be full of strength to stand up for what we believe in, and full of passion to be the best at every thing we do. A quote from Dr. King that has had an impression on my life is : "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." |