Search Articles:

 

Breaking News......... MISSOULA MARATHON 2009: Today's the day to pick up race packets!......... Wildfire season off to a cool, wet, slow start in the West......... Help feed the Bitterroot Valley's hungry cats at fundraisers today......... Remains of two "missing" WWII vets transported from Ronan to burial, memorial at Fort Harrison......... Local News......... Schweitzer: ‘Damn right I'm mad' at GM........Three council members file suit against city........Fishing limits dropped on 6 backcountry lakes........Baucus: Health care plan will be produced before end of August........Fighting fire with fire on Blue Mountain: Strategy designed to keep smoke from billowing into Missoula during the summer........Jury acquits ex-Griz Wilson in second murder trial........

First Place

A time

A time of two
Not one
A time of separate
And the supposed equal
A time of anger
Contained
For not a sign showed
Changes longing
Freedom pending
A time now the past
Looked upon with many
Strong feelings
Now has seeped from our minds
Water from tightly cupped hands
From the surface,
Just the ripples of raindrops on a puddle
The people are one
Yet the depths,
The murk of the bottom
Yield a different story
A story oftrouble again
Passed by
Untold
A lonely storefront on a packed avenue
A new time
A reflection of the past
An inevitable, subtle separation of class
A separation
Bound to repeat if
A time of the past
Is not observed

JAY BARLOW Grade 8 Sussex School

Second Place

I do believe that Martin Luther King Jr.'s ideas have an effect today. Although changes have been made to the benefit of the Negro, there are others who still face persecution every day. Think about poor people; do we treat them with the same respect and attitudes as we do to a rich heir? No! Why is this? Why do people still ridicule others from different nationalities? Why do people speak negatively about someone behind their backs? Is this what we were created for? Martin Luther King had many great ideas in his speech - "I Have a Dream." His thoughts greatly inspired me. With all this unfairness and negativity in the world, what can we do to fix it? Well, we must first look inside ourselves and try to change our attitudes. How often do we look at others and judge them and forget about ourselves. We must be fair, just and unselfish to change these problems. We won't see changes immediately, but over time we will begin to see results. Martin Luther King was a great man and we should challenge ourselves to take action and use his ideas in our world.

LANA LAKE Grade 8 Frenchtown Junior High School

Third Place

I admit I have enough to get by while others don't. I admit I do not help those in need. For the blindfold of richness and the shackles and cuffs of luxury bind and bind many. Still, let it be said by me that in all luxury we own, we must find the key of simplicity and unlock the shackles and cuffs of luxury, tear off the blindfold of richness as Dr. King did. We must see to others without these bindings we have. I urge you, set yourself free, give, for as wise men said, the more you give, the more you get. They meant that if you give you get back spiritual feeling and character. You get back the pleasure of helping someone in need. So I ask you, why? Why is it so hard to give these people what they need to get by - food, water and shelter. Those three things are what animals need to get by. Why can't we get by with that little? We can work together to end poverty. Stop helping it, destroy it. So I ask you again, why not help? End poverty; help like the great Martin Luther King Jr. for he would not abandon the poor. Help us save them and yourself.

JOSEPH TAYLOR Grade 8 Frenchtown Junior High School


Second Place, HALLIE OINES, grade 8, Sussex School


Third Place, SUZANNE SAROFF, grade 7, Sussex School

---

---

Add your comment now! Write your comment in the form below.
(Email address is for verification only. If you'd like to email a story, look for the link above)

---