To weave the enduring threads of history into the tapestry of today, Eden Prairie has concluded its annual Words in Action Contest, held in celebration of Black History Month. The event, which began on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and ran through February 18, was a stage for youth to reflect on the messages of Black American civil rights leaders, drawing from their past to influence the present.
Open to students residing in or attending school in Eden Prairie, the contest asked participants to interpret a chosen quote from a Black American civil rights leader. The interpretations, expressed through either writing, art, or digital media, also included the entrants' connections to the words and thoughts on propelling the legacies of these leaders within their community. Despite the young age of the participants, the profound wisdom of historical figures was echoed through the voices of the next generation.
According to the City of Eden Prairie report, a panel concluded their selection of the winning entries by February 18, celebrating the victors at a City Council meeting soon after. Cash prizes, which were facilitated by the Eden Prairie Community Foundation's financial backing, were awarded to both the winners and those receiving honorable mentions.
The City of Eden Prairie maintains a list of winners and their inspiring work, a resource for community members to view the impactful creations catalyzed by the contest. As detailed in the bulletin, it's a digital archive accessible at the city's official website, documenting a tradition now five years strong. It is a testament not just to the contest's history but to the enduring conversation between the past and the future, forged and carried on by Eden Prairie's youth.
