Burroughs Middle School Student Wins Essay Contest

“Our community is rapidly declining due to a lack of respect for elders and others. Our brothers and sisters are being eliminated by the hundreds year after year. The young people are in need of much love and attention. So many aren’t getting it.”

The words of Jesse Jackson? No. Maybe a some young politician trying to unseat an incumbent? No.

Those are the opening lines of an award-winning essay on stopping violence by Dante Taylor, a 13-year old seventh-grader at John Burroughs Middle School in Hancock Park. Taylor, along with other winning students from around the country, will go to Washington next week for his essay.

The writing contest was sponsored by the National Campaign To Stop Violence.

“I can teach those younger then me about what’s happening in the world and what they need to do to stop the violence,” Dante said from his home Wednesday. As for his trip to Washington, he said the highlight will be something decidedly non-political: “I’m really looking forward to the dinner at Planet Hollywood.”