Susan McDaniel Havre Daily News smcdaniel@havredailynews.com
The Montana Campus Corps of MSU-Northern, in celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, has announced the winner of the 2007 Martin Luther King Essay Contest. Maggie Hodges, a homeschooled sixth-grader is this years essay winner. Maggie is the daughter of Tim and Kathey Hodges of Havre. Maggie’s essay follows: Martin Luther King, Jr. Once said that “Everybody can be great because everybody can serve.” I believe everybody can be great if they serve the best that they can. God gives us great gifts to use. Everybody can serve but not everybody serves in the same way. God made us all different and with different ways to serve. Martin Luther King, Jr. Served humanity by being peaceful and by speaking out. He wanted a world where all things for his children and grandchildren and humanity could be equal. King serves all people, not just blacks, by providing an example of non-violence. Mother Teresa served humanity greatly not by protesting but by loving the people who needed love the most. Those people were mostly children in Calcutta, India. Mother Teresa did not set out to be great she set out to take care of those who would not be touched by others. Mother Teresa opened a home for the dying for these people, it was their only comfort in life. Mother Teresa was sometimes known as the angel of mercy. What most people don’t know is that ordinary people can live up to the standards of Martin Luther King Jr. And Mother Teresa. I know a man who lives up to those Standards, Father Peter Guthneck. Father Pete has served the people of the Rocky Boy Reservation for over thirty years by comforting the dying and praying with the sick. Father Pete is not known to the world but his service has touched the lives of thousands. Other people who live up to the standards of Martin Luther King and Mother Teresa are the men and woman who serve our country in the armed forces. They risk their lives to keep us and our country safe, and I appreciate them greatly. In addition to serving our country, they also serve the people in the countries they are at by re-building their lives, schools and hospitals. In the end everybody can be great because everybody can serve and if you serve to the best of your ability, you will be great like Martin Luther King, Jr. Or Mother Teresa who helped those in need.
