The City of Olathe's Human Relations Commission has partnered with Olathe Public Schools, Garmin and the Olathe libraries to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for the 24th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. contest. The goal of the contest is to increase awareness, foster greater understanding, and celebrate the diverse groups that make up our community.

Every year, middle and high school students in Olathe commemorate that legacy by creating visual pieces of art, multimedia art and/or written pieces and submitting them to the contest. These entries are meant to honor Dr. King's legacy and tie directly to the theme. Eligible participants are middle and high school students across the city, including Olathe Public Schools and the Kansas State School for the Deaf.

This year's theme is Belief in Humanity. Students will read the quote from Martin Luther King Jr. and then share what this means to them through written word, art or video.

This year's quote is "Make a career of humanity. Commit yourself to the noble struggle for equal rights. You will make a better person of yourself, a greater nation of your country, and a finer world to live in." — Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The 2025 middle and high school winners have been announced in all three categories: visual arts, multimedia and written. Organizers thank each school and student for their participation. All entries were judged on theme, originality, audience connection and artist statement.

Best of Show

Multimedia entry by Gabrielle Evans, Olathe South High School, "Dedicate Your Life," $500 award Watch her video on YouTube

Middle School Visual Arts

• First place: Hannah Gastineau, Mission Trail Middle School, "It Takes Us All," $200 award
• Second place: Harper Bobek, Chisholm Trail Middle School, "The Impact of a Word," $125 award
• Third place: Miriam Hernandez, Santa Fe Trail Middle School, "Pictures are Worth a Thousand Words," $75 award

Middle School Writing

• First place: Peyton Searl, Prairie Trail Middle School, "Unfiltered," $200 award
• Second place: Sofia Virgilio, California Trail Middle School, "Hope," $125 award
• Third place: Hannah Bruss, Summit Trail Middle School, "Your Dream Lives On," $75 award

Middle School Multimedia

• First place: Lyla Gutshall and Emerson Gutshall, Chisholm Trail, "Small Things in a Great Way," $200 award
• Second place: Kinsley Nelson, Chisholm Trail, "Humanity Song," $125 award
• Third place: Joshua Tanner, Summit Trail, "Boggle and Bink: A Career of Humanity," $75 award

High School Visual Arts

• First place: Claire Aberle, Olathe Northwest High School, "Beyond The Box A Dream For Humanity," $300 award
• Second place: Helina Assgid, Olathe Northwest, "Hope in Bloom," $200 award
• Third place: Michal Reitz, Olathe North High School, "Beautiful Humanity," $100 award

High School Writing

• First place: Naomi Conybear, Olathe West High School, "My Belief is Because I Chose to Believe," $300 award
  Second place: Israe Ouadih, Olathe East High School, "The One Who Dared," $200 award
  Third place: Addison Ham, Olathe South, "Maybe Getting Sick Was a Good Thing," $100 award

High School Multimedia

• First place: Gabrielle Evans, Olathe South, "Dedicate Your Life," $300 award
• Second place: Britton Scovill and Sophie Schipper, Olathe South, "Unique Harmony," $200 award\
• Third place: Bridget Simmons, Riley Lewis and Jessica Sunday, Olathe Northwest, "Belief in Humanity: The Influence of Change," $100 award

Watch the entire celebration on YouTube