LIHUE — A Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School seventh grader has won the grand prize in the 15th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Peace Poetry Awards on Kauai. Justice Funamura-Sasil received the honor during a ceremony Monday at St. Michael
LIHUE — A Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School seventh grader has won the grand prize in the 15th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Peace Poetry Awards on Kauai.
Justice Funamura-Sasil received the honor during a ceremony Monday at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church in Lihue. He was one of 53 student peace poems winners honored from eight Kauai schools with certificates from Gov. Neil Abercrombie.
The winners also received a Certificate of Achievement from Sen. Kouchi and a Dr. King commemorative prize poster furnished by the International Peace Poem Project.
The International Peace Poem Project has sponsored Dr. King poetry competitions in the four counties of the state for the past 14 years.
“We are delighted to receive contemporary poetry with such startling range and imagery emerge in our contest,” said Melinda Gohn, coordinator, International Peace Poem Project.
Funamura-Sasil’s poem was titled, “Press On.”
Emancipation for slaves
was Lincoln’s triumph
Then he was killed,
but we still pressed on.
Civil Rights
was Kennedy’s platform
Then he was killed
but we still pressed on.
Content of our character
was Dr. King’s dream.
Then he was killed
but we still pressed on.
Peace in the Middle East
was President Bush’s reason
Then many were killed
but still we pressed on.
Hope in my heart
for peace in my life.
I will not kill it.
I will press on.
