The National Bar Association announced that MetLife, the nation’s leading provider of life insurance, employee benefits and financial services, will serve as the Platinum Sponsor for the 2010 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drum Major for Justice Advocacy Competition. Students will have an opportunity to compete for scholarships to continue their education.
Sponsored by the National Bar Association and supported by the National Bar Institute, the competition is an annual advocacy program designed to motivate students of color to excel in education. The contest encourages high school seniors to express their views on a pre-selected topic, and judges the students on their ability to communicate orally and in writing. It also provides young people with experience in public speaking.
“The NBA is pleased to offer this opportunity to high school seniors of color for the 10th year in a row. Over the years we have received hundreds of thought-provoking essays, and distributed more than $188,000 in scholarships,” said J. Robert Carr, executive director of the National Bar Association. “This year we’re particularly excited that MetLife is continuing its commitment to tomorrow’s leaders by serving as the competition’s Platinum Sponsor. Through our partnership with MetLife, we look forward to reaching more families and increasing student participation.”
Laurel Daring, assistant vice president of Marketing at MetLife said, “Research shows that higher levels of education result in benefits such as higher earnings, better health and improved opportunities for the next generation. This competition is a great way to help students hone skills they’ll need in college and beyond. It also raises awareness about the importance of planning for the rising costs of education. MetLife is proud to be the Platinum Sponsor of a program that can make a difference in the lives of so many students.”
High school seniors from across the country are invited to submit an essay for the 2010 competition. To be eligible, students must have applied to a college or university for the 2010 – 2011 school year. In no more than 2000 words, students should address the following questions: If Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. were alive today, would he advise President Barack Obama to support or oppose equality for gay men and women as it relates to legalizing same-sex marriage?
The winners of the regional competitions will advance to the national competition to be held on August 11, 2010, in New Orleans.
To learn how to participate or for more information about the competition, please visit www.nationalbar.org/meetings/MLK/shtml.
