The Paradise Valley MLK Celebration invites middle school students (grades 5-8) to participate in the 2026 Martin Luther King Jr. Essay Contest, part of the town’s annual MLK Celebration, a community tradition for more than 25 years.

This year’s theme, “The Urgency for Inspiring a Harmonious Society,” invites students to share their vision for a more united and compassionate world.

One winner from each grade will receive a trophy and gift card, presented during the Town of Paradise Valley MLK Celebration beginning at 11 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, at Town Hall.

The deadline for this year’s essay competition is Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. Essays should stick to the theme and may be a length of up to two single-sided pages.

In a press release announcing this year’s contest, organizers said

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