Students from Pattonville School District participated in the Missouri National Education Association’s (MNEA) Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Essay-Poster Contest. The theme for this year was “Fulfilling Dr. King’s Dream: Reading to Lead and Transform.” Four students placed in the state competition after winning at the district level.

Grades 2-3 — 3rd place: Maxwell Schneider, second grade, Rose Acres Elementary School

Grades 4-5 — 2nd place: William Purnell, fifth grade, Rose Acres Elementary School; 3rd place: Donald McCullough, fifth grade, Rose Acres Elementary School. 

Grades 6-8 — 2nd place: Lakshita Raja, eighth grade, Remington Traditional School

This is Raja’s second time being chosen as a state winner. She won the Grades 6-8 competition last year. 

All winners received a congratulatory letter and commemorative certificate. In addition, second place winners received a $50 gift card and third place winners received a $25 gift card.  

Students are taught by Program for Exceptionally Gifted Students (PEGS) teachers Allison Bennett and Robin Chang at Rose Acres and Students in Gifted-Minded Activities (SIGMA) teacher Dodie Logue at Remington Traditional. 

To see the winning poster entries, click here to visit the MNEA website.