Henry Waldinger Memorial Library is marking Black History Month with its annual essay contest, an initiative that has grown steadily over more than a decade and continues to reflect both national history and the local community the library serves.
“You want to make sure that certain groups are represented,” library director Mamie Eng said. “Black History Month is an important group that needs to be represented each year.”
This year’s contest theme is “100 Years of Honoring Black History,” tying the modern observance of Black History Month to its origins in 1926, when historian Carter G. Woodson established Negro History Week to highlight the achievements of Black Americans. Fifty years later, in 1976, the commemoration was expanded to a month and formally recognized at the national level. This year’s essay prompt asks students to reflect on why Black History Month remains important today, 100 years after Woodson’s original effort began.
“It’s important everywhere, but it’s important especially in Valley Stream, because of how diverse our community is — to try to acknowledge and honor as many different groups and people as we possibly can,” children’s librarian Jaclyn Kunz added.
The contest is open to students from kindergarten through 12th grade, with winners selected in age-based categories: kindergarten through third grade, fourth through sixth grade, seventh through ninth grade and 10th through 12th grade. Essays must be submitted to the library’s Children’s Room or emailed to kidsroomvs@nassaulibrary.org by Feb. 28. Prizes for this year’s contest are provided by Green Acres Mall, which is partnering with the library for the second consecutive year.
“We really are more looking at the content of it and the creativity behind it, rather than the grammar and the spelling, all of those nitpicky details,” Kunz said.
The Black History Month essay contest began in 2012, when schools were placing greater emphasis on Black history education, according to Eng. Library staff saw an opportunity to complement that work with a community-based program that encouraged reflection, creativity and independent learning. From the beginning, the goal was not only to recognize historical figures but also to give children and teens a meaningful way to engage with Black history outside the classroom.
In its earliest years, the contest followed a simple format. Participants were asked to choose an African American who inspired them and either write about that person or create artwork. For several years, the library compiled submissions into small brochures that showcased student writing and drawings. Over time, however, staff noticed that many entries focused on the same well-known figures, such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks.
“We don’t need to know when he was born, where he went to college,” Eng said. “We can find that in an encyclopedia. I want you to read into what you’ve read about it, or maybe, if you read a biography and there was something in his childhood that spoke to you, or that incident resonated with you.”
Beginning in 2018, the contest format started to change. That year, the library experimented with providing information about Black Americans and asking students to complete identification-based activities. While the approach added variety, it also proved logistically challenging. In following years, the library shifted toward themed prompts designed to spark creativity and require students to apply research in more original ways.
This year’s theme builds on that evolution. By focusing on the 100-year history of Black history observances, the contest invites students to reflect not just on individuals but on the broader significance of recognition, remembrance and education. The theme also coincides with the nation’s 250th anniversary, highlighting the central role Black history plays in the United States’ development.
Judging for the contest is handled internally by library staff using an anonymous process. Submissions are sorted by age group, with identifying information removed before review. Multiple staff members participate in reading and voting on entries to ensure fairness and avoid bias, particularly since many participants are regular library users. One winner is selected from each age category.
Library staff look for evidence that participants have reflected on what they learned, made personal connections or explored new perspectives, rather than simply repeating widely known facts.
Winners are usually notified within a week after the submission deadline. In addition to prize baskets and certificates, recipients typically receive age-appropriate books related to Black history. For many years, the village has also recognized winners with citations at a board meeting.
Along with Black History Month activities, the library regularly observes other cultural and heritage celebrations throughout the year. By doing so, the library aims to ensure that community members see their histories acknowledged and to encourage residents to learn about experiences beyond their own.
As the 2026 contest gets underway, library staff are encouraging students to participate, explore new topics and engage with the resources available.
