Under the bright lights of the city council chamber, a moment of celebration unfolded as Eden Prairie paid homage to the creativity and insight of its youngest residents.
Marking Black History Month in February, the 2024 Words in Action Contest brought the stories of civil rights leaders to life through the eyes of students, culminating in a special recognition at the council meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 20.
Entering its fourth year, the Eden Prairie contest encourages local youth to explore and celebrate the legacy of Black American civil rights leaders through creative expression. The city’s Human Rights and Diversity Commission initially focused the contest on the achievements of Martin Luther King Jr., but in 2021, it expanded to honor the contributions of a broader range of Black American civil rights figures.
The challenge to participants? Select a quote from a civil rights icon and interpret its significance in a medium of their choice. The result was an array of projects spanning visual arts, digital media and music.
Three winners
This year’s winning entries came from Itisha Budamagunta, Amaya Demery and Akshaya Ramanujam. The three students earning honorable mentions are Isabella Budamagunta, Rishabh Nanavati and Vedh Priyapragash.
During the council meeting, Budamagunta, Demery and Ramanujam were invited to share their projects and the thoughts behind them, offering a glimpse into their creative process and personal inspirations.
Budamagunta, a fourth grader at Eagle Ridge Academy, presented a visual art piece inspired by a quote from Thurgood Marshall: “Where you see wrong or inequality or injustice, speak out, because this is your country. This is your democracy. Make it. Protect it. Pass it on.”
Her submission advocated for free speech and against the banning of books. She drew a “secret free speech library” in front of children’s books that have been banned over the years in different parts of the country.
“This quote by Thurgood Marshall reminds us that if we do not speak up when we see something wrong, it may be too late,” she said. “Standing up against something wrong is the bravest thing you can do. If we see if something is a problem, we should try to find a solution for it.”
Demery, a second grader at Cedar Ridge Elementary School, contributed with a video where she sang a song echoing the sentiments of Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I have a dream.”
She said her project reflects her aspiration for equality, inspired by King’s vision and struggle.
“If he didn’t fight for equality, many people wouldn’t have the family they do now, like my family,” she stated, emphasizing the impact of King’s legacy on her own life. “MLK was always forgiving, he always chose love, and he persevered no matter how hard it was.”
Ramanujam, a sixth grader at Central Middle School, created a video project based on a quote from Maya Angelou: “It’s time for parents to teach young people early on that in diversity there is beauty, and there is strength.”
While presenting her project to the council, Ramanujam expressed that discrimination is a universal issue that impacts everyone negatively. She articulated a vision for a world free from racial discrimination, where harmony prevails globally.
“Diversity should be recognized as such a wonderful thing that makes us all different,” she said. “It’s so fascinating how we’re all different and how we believe and practice many things.”
Mayor Ron Case praised each of the three students individually after their presentations, then commended them collectively, saying, “That was amazing. So rich and diverse in art forms.”
The Eden Prairie Community Foundation supports the contest, providing $75 cash prizes to the winners and $50 cash prizes to those who earn honorable mentions.
For more information about the contest and to view winning projects, visit the city’s website for a list of present and past winners.
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