Winners of the Martin Luther King Jr. Student Essay Contest offer their aspirations for peace, saying, "We didn't come this far, to merely come this far."

This year marks the 40th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Essay contest, which began in 1981 as a way to celebrate, remember and continue King's legacy.

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The Milwaukee Teachers' Education Association and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel are the sponsors of the essay competition.

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Journal Sentinel reporter Devi Shastri was the final round judge for the grade 9 and 10 competition.)

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King's 1966 essay "Nonviolence: The Only Road to Freedom" served as the inspiration for this year's theme, "Working Toward a World of Peace."

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Fifth grader Mahogany Hill of Samuel Clemens Elementary, who took first place in her grade category, said that peace is like an unsolved puzzle.

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First place: Khyei Thang, third grade, Kluge Elementary

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Second place: Lizmarie Soto, third grade, Kluge Elementary

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Third place: Brielle Denson, third grade, Trowbridge School of Great Lake Studies

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