Miles named winner of MLK essay contest

A local middle school student is the winner of the Martin Luther King, Jr., Humanitarian Essay Contest, sponsored by the Elon University Multicultural Affairs Council. Details...

Kendal LeRod Miles, an sixth-grade student at Turrentine Middle School in Burlington, N.C., was recognized during Elon’s Martin Luther King, Jr., Commemorative Address program Wednesday, Jan. 14. It’s the first time a sixth-grader has won the contest.

Photo of Kendal LeRod Miles
The contest, open to middle school students in Alamance County, asks students to write a 250-500 word essay describing their personal efforts to keep King’s dream of equality alive. Miles is busy in community activities, working as a bell ringer for the Salvation Army, serving meals at a local homeless shelter and singing in the boy’s choir for the Alamance Children’s Theatre.

Miles received a $100 cash prize, a certificate of recognition and tickets to an Elon basketball game. Turrentine Middle School received a plaque to commemorate his selection.