Kenasha Kalphat praises MJKJ essay competition
The Martin Luther King Junior essay competition now in its sixth year, seeks to motivate young people by highlighting the vision of Dr King. With the deadline for this year’s competition being January 29, TEENage took the time to catch up with Kenasha Kalphat, last year’s winner in the age 16-19 category.
This self-described, sensitive, active-minded, polite and soft-spoken individual believes strongly in social justice and non-violence like Dr King. This determined individual also loves to surround herself with motivational family and friends, and although she sees herself as a fun, loving and outgoing person, she also puts her priorities first and play time last.
In addition, she sees the need to be out spoken when it is appropriate and she is also quite spiritual. The graduate of the Ardenne and also Excelsior High Schools shared with us over an online interview about what she is presently doing and how winning the competition impacted on her life.
TEENage: What are you currently pursuing?
Kenasha Kalphat (KK): I am currently a HEART trainee at the Insurance Company of the West Indies (ICWI) and I hope to start university this year to pursue a degree in Management Studies or Business Administration.
TEENage: What do you do in your spare time?
KK: ‘Facebooking’, going to the hottest social events, poetry, reading, public speaking and designing clothes are just a few.
TEENage: Are you an avid reader of TEENage?
KK: Yes, I can relate to the magazine, written by TEENs and the stories are for TEENs. The TEENage trains, educates and navigates TEENs all over Jamaica and I read it for educational, social and psychological reasons.
TEENage: How did you hear about the competition and who inspired you to enter?
KK: I was always entering competitions from a younger age. My mom noticed the trend and would buy the newspaper. I love a challenge and this competition had opened a ‘can of adventure’ in me. Martin Luther King, himself, inspired me through the circumstances surrounding his life and death.
TEENage: What was your reaction to winning?
KK: Honestly, I thought I would have placed in the top three, but winning was a surprise.
TEENage: What do you see as the benefits of entering and would you encourage other teens to enter?
KK: Yes, I do, anyone can enter, just believe in yourself and believe that you can be that voice for the minority. This competition taught me a lot and motivated me to be a better person. His trials inspired me to strive for the best no matter the circumstances.
TEENage: Do you see Martin Luther King Junior as a positive role model and why?
KK: Almost everyone around the globe knows his history. He became the youngest person to receive the Nobel Peace Prize for his work to end racial segregation, and racial discrimination using non-violent methods in 1964. So, I can safely say every black man sees Dr King as a positive role model.