Each January,
the Auditorium Theatre presents Too Hot To Handel: The Jazz-Gospel Messiah as a
celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. For the fifth consecutive year, we
have invited Chicago Public School students in grades 3-12 to write an original
poem celebrating Dr. King's vision of the beloved community. The grand prize
winner and runner up will each receive four tickets to see Too Hot to Handel, limo
service to and from the theatre, and will have the opportunity to read
their poem to the Too Hot audience.
Their poems will also be published in N'DIGO Magazine and every audience
member will receive a copy to take home with them. This year, over 200 students from all over
the city entered the contest to share their hopes and dreams for a beloved community.
Here are our finalists for our poetry contest:
Beloved Community
By: Kellvin
S. – 6th grade
Harold
Washington Elementary School
A beloved community stands together
A beloved community helps each other
We’re all one and one is all
Let’s strive together from winter to fall
A beloved Community works as a team
Even though we have different dreams
We all have suggestions we like to share
So we come together because we care
“Untitled”
By: Thomas
R.—6th grade
Harold
Washington Elementary School
Our beloved community
We are a unity
Where we can have fun
And be serious when fun is done
We will smile together
Til the day is done
And we will join together in the sun
“Untitled”
By: Joshua
J. – 3rd grade
Frank
Reilly Elementary School
A lovely city in the world
Not cruel or nasty
The heart in the world of beauty
And not junky
Saving the world in my body
Night and day will be lovely
Lights to Equality
By: Jeanie
H. – 5th grade
Philip
Rogers Elementary School
It’s time to walk hand in hand,
It’s time for a world of equality,
It matters not what you are, or whom you claim to
be,
You’re you, and that’s good enough for me.
Can’t we see who we are,
Our hearts have strayed too far.
Everyone wants happiness,
No one wants pain.
But you can’t have a rainbow,
Without a little rain.
Martin Luther King Jr.
By: Coura
M. – 5th grade
Phillip
Rogers Elementary School
Martin, Martin, Martin
What good you have done
We have all come together
United as one
Love, peace, and respect
You have brought to us
Without your courage, and bravery
Who might we trust
Thank you for your hard work
Risking your life for us
You will be in our hearts forever