Skip to main content

TJJD Youth on Parole Win Awards for Moving Essays about Martin Luther King Jr.


By Y. Denise Caldwell
Community and Family Relations Coordinator

 FORT WORTH, Texas - TJJD youth on parole in the Northern Region received certificates and replicas of the Martin Luther King National Monument for submitting and completing award-winning essays about Martin Luther King, Jr.  

Dr. King delivers his "I Have a Dream" speech in
Washington on the National Mall. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)
The three youth, T.F., K.L., and M.J. shared their thoughts and feelings in heartfelt essays that expressed admiration for King and how his life inspires them to want to achieve success.

The winning essays included a wealth of information about Dr. King, highlighting his self-sacrifice and fortitude.

M.J. noted in his essay that Martin Luther King Jr. once went to jail in Montgomery, Alabama, for driving 30 mph in a 25 mph zone, and in total was jailed 29 times for 
“defending what he believed in, an equal government, and for everyone, the rights to freedom.”

“Dr. Martin Luther King did many things so we African Americans could live a free life, but there were a lot of bad things, bad people, and consequences that came with that,” he wrote. “King had come to Memphis in April 1968 to support the strike of the city’s black garbage workers, and in a speech on the night before his assassination, he told an audience at Mason Temple Church:

Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place, but I’m not concerned about that now. I’ve seen the Promised Land, I may not get there with you, but I want you to know tonight that we, as a people, will get to the Promised Land, and I’m happy tonight. . . 
K.L. reported that King was a great supporter of education and a firm believer in the maxim “Knowledge is Power,” as well as an advocate for peaceful change. 

“In my life, he taught me to solve problems with communication instead of violence and to stand for what you believe in,” he wrote.
The award certificates show the MLK Jr. Monument. 
Youth also received a monument replica.
In his essay, T.F., told an anecdote about Martin Luther King’s family history that gives insight to his roots. King and his father had both been named Michael at birth, but the senior King was inspired to adopt, for him and his son, the name of religious reformer Martin Luther. He made this decision after a trip in the 1930s to Germany, where the elder King learned about Martin Luther and also witnessed the rise of Nazism.

Northern Region parole officers had encouraged all of their youth to submit essays in exchange for community service hours. Eight youth submitted essays and the three featured above were singled out by the judges for special recognition.

The certificates explained the history of the monument memorializing Dr. King and included his quote: “Out of the mountain of despair, a stone of hope.”  

Thanks to Cedar Hill Public Library, in Cedar Hill, TX, for using their 3D technology to create the MLK Memorial replicas given to the youth.  

Popular posts from this blog

McFadden Sends Youth Home with Backpack of 'Hope'

By Y. Denise Caldwell Community Resource Coordinator, Northern District Parole Office FLOWER MOUND, Texas - Larry Bossaler, McFadden volunteer  McFadden Ranch Volunteer Larry Bossaler enjoys his assignment: Making sure that every youth who leaves the McFadden halfway house knows that people are praying for him and wishing him the best in his future. He is the man who brings them their “Good-Bye” backpack.    When he delivers the backpacks, he makes sure to do three things – visit with the youth, show the contents of the backpack (because staff put them in the lockers until the youth leaves),   and lastly close the visit with a heartfelt prayer. The youth enjoy and appreciate the backpack, the visit and the prayer. Many are a little anxious and scared to leave but knowing that the McFadden volunteers care enough to send them off in this special way, helps them feel a bit less worried. “I always bring an extra backpack,” Larry said.   “In case a youth i
Read more

McFadden Ranch High School Graduates Honored

DENTON, Texas -- The Kiwanis Club of Denton recognized nine youth from McFadden Ranch who earned their high school diploma or equivalency by inviting them to their April 17 noon meeting and luncheon where they were awarded $50 each for their trust fund. Spearheaded by JCO IV Gregory Winn, a longstanding member of the Kiwanis Club of Denton, the event was truly memorable for the youth who attended. They heard a motivational and moving presentation by Texas Rep. Pat Fallon, who completed the Greatest Endurance Challenge – the World Marathon Challenge – tackling seven marathons in seven days on seven continents. He took the challenge after being inspired by Jonny Wade, a 7-year-old boy who battled pediatric cancer and had only one wish – ‘that no other kid ever gets cancer.’ Wade’s death led to the creation of Pediatric Cancer Foundation for which Fallon raised over $250,000 so far. Fallon, who represents a portion of Denton County, said the takeaway from his experience is that we
Read more

IN MEMORY AND APPRECIATION: Trayce Haynes Alexander

Trayce Haynes Alexander, of Cat Spring, Texas passed away in April.  She was a JCO IV at the Giddings State School and began her employment with the Texas Youth Commission on January 5, 2009, as a JCO III.  She was promoted to a JCO IV on April 1, 2010.  Trayce was a hardworking, loyal and dedicated staff member and friend.  Her number one priority was the youth in her dorm and she would drive one hour and forty minutes everyday (even in ill health) to try to make a difference in the lives of the youth she worked with. She was well respected by both staff and youth due to her extraordinary work ethic.  The boys could always depend on her to hold them accountable. She is survived by her husband Geoff Alexander and two daughters, Kristyn and Robyn Alexander. Trayce was born on September 3, 1952.  She earned a BS from Southwest Texas State University in Law Enforcement.
Read more