The 2008 Chicago Defender Bud Billiken King and Queen Contest contest required participants to write an essay on leadership. Following are the essays written by the winners of the competition, who now make up this year’s Royal Court.
King Jordan Norwood, Age 12
“I have a dream,” was quoted by
the late great Dr. Martin Luther King
Jr. He also stated, “Whatever your
life’s work is, do it well.” These
words have inspired me to strive for
excellence. Dr. Martin Luther King,
Jr. is truly my hero. I thank God for
Dr. King, his historical dream that
continues to live on. Yes, his dream
lives on through me. I am a high
achiever. I have the spirit of excellence
and I have an elevated mind
destined for greatness.
I have read and been told numerous
times how Dr. King fought for equality
and justice during his life time for
my generation’s future. I will be the
best that I can be. While Dr. King
recited, “Whatever your life’s work
is, do it well,” he went on to add that
“if you can’t be the sun, be a star.” I
believe that I am that star. I am a winner just like Dr. Martin Luther King
Jr., I am too a king.
Queen Nyaree Patten, Age 9
There is this awesome person I
know, who I want to be just like when
I grow up. She is a teacher who
enjoys what she does. Encouraging
me is one of the things she enjoys
doing. She also likes working with
children. Selfless giving is another
thing that she does often. As well as
always making sure I have what I
need.
My heroine not only teaches, but
she also attends schools to better herself.
I would like to be like her
because she inspires me to do a spectacular
job. The person who I admire
most is Dijonna Durham, my mom! I
love her so much!
Prince Andre’ Elizia, Jr., Age 10
Have you ever had someone that
you admired or looked up to? This
person made you pay attention and
think about what you wanted to be in
life. That’s how I feel about my hero,
Senator Barack Obama.
I remember last year, when I was
over my grandpa’s house listening as
Obama made his announcement to
run for president. My grandpa
laughed and said a Black man will
never be president. At the moment, I
wasn’t too sure how that made me
feel.
There are so many people around
me saying this and that about having
a Black man as president. But for me,
I think Obama’s presidential nomination
has encouraged me to do better in
school and to be a leader and not a
follower.
I also think his message about
“change” describes my future generation
because times are changing, and
there’s no limit on what can happen!
Who knows, maybe we will have five
or six Black presidents by the time I
get old!
As a young Black man, Barack
Obama’s historical nomination has
encouraged me to reach for my
dreams and conquer my goals. He has
also inspired me to believe in myself
and others will too.
Princess Keiara Richmond, Age 10
My mother Andrea is my hero. I
picked her because she’s strong and
positive. Mothers are supposed to
meet their children’s needs, but she
goes over and beyond. She’s a
teacher. When I visit her job, the children
are all over her, and sometimes
they call her mommy. I am a cheerleader,
and my mom never misses a
performance even when she is tired
from working all day. I asked to be in
a beauty pageant; when I lost, she
hugged me and said maybe next time.
My brother had a hard time in school
last year. My mother cried and fussed,
but she remembered to say to him
every morning do your best. When
my birthday comes, my mom can only
afford to get a cake and some ice
cream, but I begged for a party. Last
year, she must have saved because she
gave me the best pamper party ever.
She even lets me have sleepovers. I
am going to continue to work hard to
make my mom proud of me, and one
day I will be rich and take care of her.
My mom will always be my hero.
Lord Bryon Smith, Jr., Age 10
This essay is dedicated to my great
granny Rose Lee Smith because she
was a true hero to me and many more.
Rose Lee Smith was born February
27, 1922 in Drew, Mississippi. She
was the youngest of 12 sisters and
brothers. From a very young age she
had many things to overcome such as
poverty and racism to name just a
few. She even had to drop out of
school in the sixth grade to work and
help her family in the field. At the age
of 21 after her mother and father died,
my granny packed her things and
headed to Chicago with no money to
start a new life. When she got to
Chicago, she moved to a small town
house project on 51st and Calumet.
Life in Chicago was tough especially
since she was a single mother to 8
small kids. My granny worked hard
to make sure her kids did not get
involved with the gangs and drugs in
the projects. She also always helped
anyone who was in need of advice, a
place of food or just a place to stay.
She always helped me with whatever
I needed like homework. Even though
she only got to sixth grade, she always
said school was important and because of
that, I am an A-B student. I remember
right before my granny died, I asked if
she would make me a cake for my
birthday (she made the best cake
ever), and she said if I live to see it.
Well she didn’t get to see my birthday
but me and my granny’s 9 kids, 20
grandkids and 30 great grandkids will
never forget her smiles, her kisses,
her hugs, her kindness, her love and
her chocolate cake. I love you granny. You are my hero.
Lady Annyce Brackins, Age 11
Rosa Parks is my heroine because
she is the mother of the Civil Rights
Movement. I began learning about
Rosa Parks in kindergarten. She has
always interested me because she was
an ordinary person like me who
became extraordinary to the world.
Rosa Parks left work one day very
tired. She decided to sit in a seat on
the bus where Black people were not
allowed to sit. When a white man asked
her to get up, she refused, saying that
her feet were tired. As a result, she
became the mother of Civil Rights.
Today, all people of color can sit
wherever they want on the bus. Today
all people of color can go to college,
find a great job, and become a great
leader just like Rosa Parks did!
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