The Lawrence Juneteenth organization is hoping to empower youth voices through a creative contest. Winners will be featured at this year’s celebration.
The summertime celebration brings to downtown Lawrence art and food vendors, community organizations, music and history lessons for folks to enjoy. Community members join to honor Juneteenth, observed on June 19 to commemorate the final group of enslaved Black people learning of their emancipation.
This year’s theme is “Standing as one … Love over fear,” which organizer Janine Colter said is fitting for the present. The contest is open to high school students, and submissions can be in the form of original essays, poems, songs or raps that propose ways a community can unite when faced with troubles.
“We’re excited,” Colter said. “We want them to find their voice, and that if they want to be future leaders, that they have the opportunity to be out in front of a community and express their values on what’s going on.”
Lawrence students Isis Cross, Josh Galbreath and Breahna Randall won first, second and third last year, respectively, under the theme “Lift Every Voice,” Colter said.
All entries must include 500 to 1,000 words. The top three winners will be awarded onstage during the celebration and earn cash prizes: the first place winner will earn $500; second place, $300; and third place, $200.
The deadline for submissions has been extended through Friday, March 14 because of recent snow days.
Email submissions to clucwhite@hotmail.com. There is no cost to participate.
There will not be a youth T-shirt design contest this year as the organization will be bringing back its past “Lest We Forget” logo.
The 2025 Lawrence Juneteenth celebration is slated for Saturday, June 14. Stay up to date on plans on the website, lawrenceksjuneteenth.org, and Facebook page, Lawrence, KS Juneteenth.
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Maya Hodison (she/her), equity reporter, can be reached at mhodison@lawrencekstimes.com. Read more of her work for the Times here. Check out her staff bio here.
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