Huipe Wins MLK Writing Contest

Morristown West High School freshman Axel Vargas Huipe recently took home the top prize in the school’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. writing contest, an achievement that has given him a major boost in self-confidence. For Huipe, the most inspiring part of Dr. King’s legacy is the way he pursued justice through peace, noting that he admires "how he fought for equality and not with violence." He feels a deep personal connection to this history, believing that the doors opened by the civil rights movement are exactly what allow him to have the opportunities he has today. In his essay, Huipe took a hard look at the world around him, suggesting that society has drifted apart and lost some of the unity Dr. King envisioned. 

He remarked that if Dr. King were alive in 2026, "he would love the opportunities for all of us, but he would be disappointed in how people are treated." He also reflected on the immense pressure and physical threats King faced, admiring the internal strength it took to stay the course. Looking ahead, Huipe is being practical and ambitious; he plans to save his prize money while continuing to study and improve his writing skills. His ultimate dream for Morristown is simple: a community where everyone experiences "equal treatment and equal opportunities." For any other students who feel too nervous to enter a contest or put their work out there, Huipe says you just have to take the leap: "Give it a try; you never know if you will win."