04/14/2026
On Thursday, April 2, 2026, on the campus of Shelton State Community College, Greensboro Middle School’s very own Eighth Grade Scholar, Liam Williams, was honored as one of the 2026 recipients of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Realizing the Dream Essay and Art Contest. The Martin Luther King, Jr. Realizing the Dream committee is composed of representatives from The University of Alabama, Stillman College, Shelton State Community College, and Tuscaloosa's Southern Christian Leadership Conference. This year's theme was "Realizing the Dream Through Faith and Action."
There were ninety-seven submissions, essays and art combined, from students ranging in grades sixth through twelfth, and Liam's essay, "Faith Without Works is Dead," was selected as one of only five middle schoolers to receive this distinguished honor. The honorees' submissions were exhibited in the Cadence Bank Art Gallery at Shelton State Community College from Monday, March 23- Monday, April 6. As an award winner, Liam received an Android-based tablet complete with accessories, and our school will receive $500 in the form of reimbursement for programming that supports the important work of realizing Dr. King's Dream.
At this reception honoring the recipients, Liam was joined by his mother, Ms. Vanessa Williams, his librarian, Ms. Juanita Barrett, his ELA teacher, Ms. Patriia Johnson-Moore, and his former Greensboro Middle School principal, Mr. Tony Sanders. We would also like to extend a heartfelt "Thank you" to Mr. Sanders for ensuring we received the email, and for encouraging our scholars, year after year, to never squander an opportunity to show who they are. This is the second year GMS has had an eighth grade essay winner under the mentorship of our eighth grade ELA teacher, Ms. Moore. Timothy Johnson, who is now a junior at Greensboro High School, was our first essay winner in 2023.
Again, congratulations, Liam! You are truly deserving, and we are extremely proud of your accomplishment!
