Creativity Contest

The 2023 MLK Legacy Day celebration also includes the annual creativity contest.

One of the cornerstones of Dr. King’s legacy is his call for civic participation and fight to counter voter suppression. We invite current graduate and undergraduate students to submit creative works made in response to one of the following prompts related to voting rights and access. Your creative work may take the form of a nonfiction essay, sculpture, poem, short story, painting, photograph, or spoken word performance, or other creative form. Winners of this creativity contest will be announced during the celebration on February 1, 2023.

For the 2023 Creativity Contest, please consider and respond to ONE of the following prompts. Your response will be a creative work in the medium of your choice. Submissions to the creativity contest are due to the Office of Multicultural and Identity Programs in Park Manor Central or via njoseph@babson.edu by Friday, January 27, 2023.

1. Young Voters Matter

According to data from the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement 27% of voters ages 18–29 participated in the mid-term elections the highest voter turnout for this demographic in 30 years. The impact of young voters is both meaningful and necessary in shaping our society at large. Although there is an increase in voter engagement among this age group there is still opportunity. 

How can young voters engage through action?

2. BABO Loves a Challenge

Voter suppression tactics have increased with over 350 new bills introduced the past three years that would limit access to voting for many people. In a myriad of ways from redistricting to more restrictive identification rules, the challenge of access for many communities is daunting. At Babson when we see a challenge we employ ET&A in a way that employs innovation and creativity to solve even the most daunting challenge.

What are ways that you can apply ET&A to the challenge of voter access?

3. Democracy is the Cornerstone of Our Citizenship

As Americans, voting is important because we are a democracy, part of the definition of citizenship access. Voting rights are critically important because of the magnitude of the potential impact on society. Restricted access conveys a sense of separation and inequity that isn’t representative of the ideals of a democracy. Silencing segments of our population further conveys a sense of separation and contributes to inequity moving our country away from the ideals of a true democracy.

For our international students, if you come from a nation where democracy is not a part of your system please share your experience and the ways you exercise civic responsibility.

Reflect on a time when you did, or did not, have access in a situation. What did you understand about that experience for yourself and who you are in relation to others and your sense of agency and citizenship?

2022

Co-winners: Madison Spence and Skylar Jackenthal

2021

First Place: Xiomara Kelly ’21
Second Place: Skylar Jackenthal ’23
Third Place: Gioia de la Feld ’21

2020

First Place: Gioia de la Feld ’21
Second Place: Melissa Denizard ’20
Third Place: Wes Woodson ’20

2019

First Place: Gioia de la Feld ’21
Second Place: Melissa Denizard ’20
Third Place: Aswini Melekote ’19

2018

First Place: Melissa Denizard ’20
Second Place: NiaChloe Bowman ’19
Third Place: Temilayo Awefeso ’20

2017

First Place: NiaChloe Bowman ’19
Second Place: Yulkendy Valdez ’17
Third Place: Salome Mosehle ’18

2016

First Place: Chi Obasi ’16
Second Place: Bradley Darling ’18
Third Place: Savannah Carlin ’17

2015

First Place: Emily Purdom ’18
Second Place: Leinado Marte ’18
Third Place: Bradley Darling ’18

2014

First Place: Evan DeBaise ’14
Second Place: Chi Obasi ’16
Third Place: Yulkendy Valdez ’17

2013

Creativity Contest
First Place: Juan Martinez ’15
Second Place: Manuel Paredes ’14
Speech Contest
Kadia Tubman ’13

2012

Creativity Contest
First Place: Ali Khan ’14
Second Place: Cathy Bao ’12
Speech Contest
First Place: Christian Lewis ’13
Second Place: Kate Anderson ’14

2011

Creativity Contest
First Place: Marie Pierre ’12
Second Place: Mercedes Ercarnation-Mandes ’12
Speech Contest
First Place: Kadia Tubman ’13
Second Place: Nohely Artega ’11

2010

Creativity Contest
First Place: Mona Gimenez ’11
Second Place: Jamaal Eversley ’10
Speech Contest
First Place: Kadia Tubman ’13
Second Place: Robin Lee Allen ’11

2009

Creativity Contest
Tied for First Place:
Marie Pierre ’12 and Brandon Lane ’10
Speech Contest
First Place: Rayshawn Whitford ’12
Second Place: Aaron Hartman ’09

2008

Creativity Contest
First Place: Obenewaa Boakye ’11
Second Place: Shaina Silva ’08
Speech Contest
First Place: Sarah English ’08
Second Place: Sterling Charles ’08
Third Place: Tommy Wenzlau ’10

2007

Speech Contest
First Place: Sarah English ’08
Second Place: Asad Rahim ’07

2006

Speech Contest
Alvin Wade ’07
Maxwell Owen ’09

2005

Speech Contest
Anand Dholakia M’05
Barbara Wong ’05

2004

Speech Contest
Jason Bedrick ’05
Jason Clinkscales ’04

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