The Arlington Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Committee is proud to announce the winners of the "Sharing the Dream" Art and Essay Competitions.

This year, $4,500 in scholarships and U.S. Savings Bonds will be distributed among six Arlington area youths whose essays and artwork best represent the principles of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the movement for racial justice and equality in America. The theme is: "Change Begins With Me." Scholarships and bonds are sponsored by Atmos Energy.

The winning art design will appear on T-shirts and marketing materials associated with the 23rd Annual "Sharing the Dream" Arlington MLK Celebration, which begins Jan. 13, 2012. More than 400 pieces of art were submitted for the contest, which was open to all Arlington students in grades 7-12.

The winning essay will be presented during the "Sharing the Dream" Awards Banquet on Jan. 13 and Youth Extravaganza on Jan. 16. The essay competition was open to high school seniors.

The Arlington MLK Celebration Committee is comprised of the following founding entities: City of Arlington, Arlington ISD, UT Arlington, Tarrant County College, and the Arlington Ministerial Association.

See the winning art, read the essays, and learn more about the celebration at www.ArlingtonMLK.com.

"Sharing the Dream" Art Contest Winners

First Place - $1,000 U.S. Savings Bond
Anna Cao, Juan Seguin High School, Senior
Click here to view winning artwork

Second Place - $750 U.S. Savings Bond
Avery Withers, Shackelford Junior High School, Seventh Grade
Click here to view winning artwork

Third Place - $500 U.S. Savings Bond
Thoa Nguyen, Juan Seguin High School, Senior
Click here to view winning artwork

"Sharing the Dream" Essay Contest Winners

First Place - $1,000 Scholarship
Brittany Lok, Arlington High School
Click here to read winning essay

Second Place - $750 Scholarship
Tiffany Thi Lee III, James Bowie High School
Click here to read winning essay

Third Place - $500 Scholarship
Beau Bondoc, James Bowie High School
Click here to read winning essay