Solon Middle School Student Wins Civil Rights Writing Contest

An eighth grader at Solon Middle School was honored recently for winning the Ohio Civil Rights Commission's annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Art, Writing & Multimedia Contest.

Anirudh Vijayshankar of Solon won for writing in the eighth grade category. The goal was to write an essay inspired by Martin Luther King Junior's speech about the "Drum Major Instinct" (You can listen to the speech here. and then answer this question:

How would you serve as a drum major for peace, justice & righteousness in your school? Community?

State Rep. Marlene Anielski presented Anirudh with a House commendation for winning his grade’s category.

"After reading Anirudh’s beautiful writing excerpt, I was pleased to be able to help honor him," Rep. Anielski said. "Judging from his writing on bullying and justice, he is wise beyond his years and I am excited to receive my signed copy to display in my state office."

Anirudh’s winning writing excerpt is being proudly displayed in the Rhodes State Office Tower.