GERSTELL ACADEMY
LEADERSHIP • HONOR • COURAGE
LEADERSHIP • HONOR • COURAGE
Jalen Blackwell Wins Baltimore Dream BIG Contest
On Monday, March 18th, at The Lyric in Baltimore, freshman Jalen Blackwell presented his award-winning poem on the following topic: “Though it may be hard to face, what is the one thing you would change to make the world a better place?”
Jalen’s poem titled "A World Without Borders," explored the concept of global unity by imagining a world where physical and metaphorical borders dissolve in favor of shared humanity.
The poem weaved together themes of immigration, cultural exchange, equity, and belonging. Jalen wanted to express that compassion, love, and understanding should be the true currencies we exchange across the globe. The poem was a call to action to replace fear with understanding and exclusion with welcome. He hoped to inspire empathy and reflection, encouraging individuals to look beyond maps and walls and to embrace a more connected and inclusive vision for the future.
The annual contest honors Gerstell Academy Portrait Leader, Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy by encouraging students to express their “big dreams” for a better world through essays, poetry, visual art or video submissions. Jalen was designated as a “Visionary” in the top category and his work was chosen as one of the top winners among all participating students. He was awarded a $500 Visa gift card and a laptop computer.
The poem weaved together themes of immigration, cultural exchange, equity, and belonging. Jalen wanted to express that compassion, love, and understanding should be the true currencies we exchange across the globe. The poem was a call to action to replace fear with understanding and exclusion with welcome. He hoped to inspire empathy and reflection, encouraging individuals to look beyond maps and walls and to embrace a more connected and inclusive vision for the future.
The annual contest honors Gerstell Academy Portrait Leader, Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy by encouraging students to express their “big dreams” for a better world through essays, poetry, visual art or video submissions. Jalen was designated as a “Visionary” in the top category and his work was chosen as one of the top winners among all participating students. He was awarded a $500 Visa gift card and a laptop computer.
2500 Old Westminster Pike
Finksburg, MD 21048-1823
410-861-3000
1-866-861-3300
Finksburg, MD 21048-1823
410-861-3000
1-866-861-3300
