Why A Civil Rights Memorial?

The City of Victorville Civil Rights Memorial was established to recognize the achievements of individuals who have made a significant impact in promoting the civil rights of all people. The Civil Rights Memorial is located at the southwest corner of the employee parking area at City Hall, 14343 Civic Drive, Victorville, CA 92392.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was the first civil rights leader memorialized with a bronze plaque in the Civil Rights Memorial. Shortly after its unveiling, the City of Victorville established the Civil Rights Essay Contest.

What Is The Annual Civil Rights Essay Contest? 

Each year the City of Victorville sends invitations to elementary schools within the City inviting 5th and 6th grade students to submit entries about an American civil rights leader and indicate why he or she should be honored with a bronze plaque within the Civil Rights Memorial.  The winning essay determines the civil rights leader to be honored in the Civil Rights Memorial and a portion of the student's winning essay is displayed on a bronze plaque for the civil rights honoree.

Plaques recognizing Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Asa Philip Randolph, Frederick Douglass, Cesar Chavez, Harriet Tubman and Lucy Burns are currently displayed at the memorial based on winning essays from previous years.

Essay Contest Judging Criteria

The City of Victorville Community Services Advisory Committee (CSAC), evaluates student essays based on the following criteria:

• Content:  Clearly express ideas in an organized manner.
• Expression:  Original voice and clear presentation of topic.
• Research:  Valuable content and/or research incorporated into essay. 
• Originality:  Treatment of theme should show imagination and human interest.

School Registration Form

To register your school in the essay contest please fill out our registration form.

Meet the 2020 City of Victorville Civil Rights Memorial Essay Winner

Bradley Brook Russell, a sixth-grade student at Galileo School of Gifted and Talented Education, is the winner of our 2020 Civil Rights Memorial Essay Contest.  The subject of Bradley’s winning essay is Jackie Robinson, the first African American baseball player to play in the American major leagues during the 20th century.

A portion of Bradley’s winning essay will be displayed on a bronze plaque honoring Jackie Robinson in the City of Victorville’s Civil Rights Memorial in January 2021.

Inland Empire Health Plan generously sponsored the bronze plaque honoring Jackie Robinson.

Read Winning Student Civil Rights Essays

2020 Jackie Robinson winning essay by Bradley Brook Russell

2019 Lucy Burns winning essay by Evan Young

2018 Harriet Tubman winning essay by Penelope Trylch

2017 Cesar Chavez winning essay by Hanna Reynolds

2016 Fredrick Douglass winning essay by Diego LeComte

2015 Asa Philip Randolph winning essay by Reiner Yabut

Visit Our 2020 Civil Rights Bronze Plaque Sponsor

 How Can I Become A Sponsor?

Sponsors are currently being sought for the 2021 Civil Rights Essay Contest. To sponsor the next contest and have your company name included on the bronze plaque for generations to see, please call (760) 955-3306, or send an email.