Young people in Henry County are invited to share their thoughts for an event honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

  The 14th annual Henry County Youth MLK Celebration is slated for January 19 at 5 p.m., at Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church, 397 Racetrack Road in McDonough. In preparation for the occasion, an essay contest is ongoing in honor of the slain civil-rights leader. The contest is sponsored by McDonough City Councilman Rufus Stewart’s Youth MLK Scholarship Foundation.

  Students in first through fifth grades are asked to submit essays under the theme “Unity in a Diverse World.” Essays should be 50-150 words for first and second graders, and 150-300 words for children in third through fifth grades.

  The essay contest theme for students in sixth through 12th grades is “Continuing the Dream, Moving Toward Unity, Justice and Peace.” Entries for sixth, seventh and eighth graders must be 300-500 words in length. Essays should be 500-700 words for students in ninth through 12th grades.

  High-school seniors who are accepted to an accredited college or university and have participated in this event for two consecutive years – including their senior year – are qualified to receive the Rufus Stewart MLK Scholarship.

  The entry deadline for the contest is January 12. Each contest entry will be judged on originality, grammar, and success in capturing the contest theme. Entries must include a cover sheet with the student’s name, grade, contact number, school, church and pastor’s name.   Essays and photos should be mailed to: McDonough City Councilman Rufus Stewart, 111 R.L. Stewart Ct., McDonough, GA 30253. For more information, call Jennifer Johnson at 770-356-4669.