Trenton, NJ - After reviewing submissions for almost 200 New Jersey high school seniors, the New Jersey Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Commission announced the 10 winners of ‘Injustice Anywhere is a Threat to Justice Everywhere’ 2023 Scholarship Essay Contest on May 31, 2023:

MLK23 SCHOLAR	HOMETOWN	HIGH SCHOOL	COLLEGE or UNIVERSITY
Sekna Bazzi	Newark	Science Park High School	Barnard College of Columbia University
Albert Caesar	Basking Ridge	Ridge High School	Princeton University
Spencer Jahng	Livingston	The Pingry School	Boston College
Mirika Jambudi	Edison	The Pingry School	Harvard University
Matthew Lee	East Brunswick	East Brunswick High School	Columbia University
Jada Sampson	Clark	Academy for Performing Arts	Stella Adler Conservatory
Kasai Sanchez	Teaneck	Teaneck High School	William Paterson University
Amanda Thomas	Rahway	Union County Magnet High School	University of Notre Dame
Devin Torres	Mount Laurel	Lenape High School	University of Southern California
Jeffrey Xu	Livingston	Livingston High School	Princeton University

“Our 2023 essay contest winners demonstrated a thoughtful understanding of how Dr. King’s fight against injustice was inspired by Mahatma Gandhi’s non-violent resistance movement that successfully ended almost a century of British colonial rule in India. I am thrilled to congratulate these young leaders and extend our wishes for their future success,” said NJ Secretary of State Tahesha Way.

“On behalf of the New Jersey Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Commission, we extend our congratulations to our ten MLK Scholars who will be entering college in the fall,” Commission Chairman George Guy said. “Their essays about Dr. King’s legacy and his inspiration for their academic work and community service, has given all of us great hope for the future.”

The 2023 MLK Scholars will be awarded $5,000 scholarship for the university or college of their choice.

About the New Jersey Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Commission: Established by the Legislature, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Commission, based in the Department of State, develops, coordinates and advises the Governor on Statewide activities in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday. Further, it is the purpose of the Commission to create programs designed to educate the people of New Jersey about Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Civil Rights Movement.

Website: NJ Department of State - New Jersey Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Commission