Students win Martin Luther King Jr. art contest

Kristan Lai of Pleasant Valley High School earned first place in the Julianna V. Bolt Art Contest to honor Martin Luther King Jr. The contest, hosted by East Stroudsburg University, originally began as an essay contest in 2000, but transitioned a few years later to an art contest. There were 61 entries this year. “We wanted to make it more fun,” MLK Celebration Breakfast committee member Geryl Kinsel said. “An essay contest seemed like homework for the kids.” Sierra Davis of Stroudsburg High School landed in second place. Shannon Simpson of Pleasant Valley High School received third place. And Zackery Rodriguez and Maggie Brower of East Stroudsburg High School North were awarded an honorable mention. Volunteers from the community and East Stroudsburg University judged the artwork. The winners will be honored at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Breakfast on Monday, Jan. 19, from 8 to 10 a.m., in ESU’s Mattioli Recreation Center. Pictured is Kristan's winning artwork.