New Brunswick Middle Schoolers Challenged to Consider Robeson's Legacy

NEW BRUNSWICK – How has Paul Robeson inspired you?

That was the question about the Rutgers-educated actor, activist, athlete and author posed to students at the Paul Robeson Community School for the Arts.

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Twenty-five students in grades 6-8 submitted essays, and the top 10 winners were awarded cash prizes provided by the Rutgers African-American Alumni Alliance.

The June 18 awards ceremony hosted by Kendall Hall of the nonprofit organization, Ubuntu Cultural Pavilion, marked a year-long educational journey that culminated with the essay contest.

Jim Savage (President, Rutgers Class of '71) originally conceptualized the essay contest as part of the 125th birthday celebration for Robeson by the Paul Robeson Alliance.

Guest speaker Jennifer Sevilla, the president of the New Brunswick Board of Education, spoke about how she was a student at Rutgers when she learned about Robeson’s legacy, from his time as a football All-American on the Banks of the Old Raritan to achieving international fame as a star of the stage and screen.

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Each student who submitted an essay also received a copy of the youth version of Paul Duberman's “Paul Robeson, No One Can Silence Me,” and a custom bookmark from Ubuntu Cultural Pavilion.

Essay contest winners

First place: Mariel Lopez

Second place: Derrick Hughes

Third place: Jhoselyn Pena Ricardo

Honorary mention in alphabetical order

Jeanelle Melendez Alonso

Jesus Vizcaino Cantero

Sherlyne Garcia

Adrian Tejada Garcia

Aylin Perez Giron

Peyton Lopez Martinez

Yolemi Delgado Salado

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