1 Blen Teklu -- Re: "'Keep dreaming, keep working' -- Dallas fourth grader delivers electrifying speech to win annual MLK contest," Jan. 17 news story.

Preston Hollow Elementary School fourth grader Blen Teklu delivered a heartfelt speech that included a powerful original poem about hope, dreams and love inspired by the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. to win the MLK Jr. Oratory Competition.

The contest has been receiving dedicated ongoing resources from Foley and Lardner LLP for three decades, with key involvement from Michael Newman to highlight talent and help cultivate the speaking and writing skills of Dallas ISD elementary school students.

Foley includes laptops and a goodie bag for each of the eight finalists. Every year, student participants are tasked with writing a speech on a thought-provoking topic.

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At a time when school districts across the state face significant strain and inadequate state funding, it is heartening to see Dallas ISD students not only rise to the occasion but also excel and be meaningfully recognized for their brilliance.

My wife, Debbi, will be on the lookout for Blen as we pass Preston Hollow Elementary on our walks.

Hats off to Blen and her fellow Dallas ISD students. Martin Luther King Jr. would be proud to see how his dream is in good hands with these young students.

Barry Rothschild, Dallas/Preston Hollow

2 Columnist Peter Johnson -- Re: "America owes King a debt it can never fully repay -- I truly believe we would have experienced a bloodbath had King not been here," by Peter Johnson, Jan. 19 Opinion.

I've seen a number of letters commending the writing and perspective of Peter Johnson.

However, I think his words and comments in this column were his finest yet. And that is a tall order, as I don't really recall a weak column from him.

While issues between races linger and bubble up, the overarching progression since the '60s Civil Rights Movement has been positive. There is and likely always will be room for improvement, as men are flawed and some simply don't want to effect change -- even if it is for the greater good. Or maybe because it might be, it's hard to tell.

I especially liked and concur with the point of listening to God, and following his guidance. Man on his own will foul things up. But relying on God will certainly lead us in the right direction.

Thank you again for sharing such insight and perspective based on profound personal experience. Well done, and very well stated.

Thomas Neumann, Denton

3 Emmitt Smith -- Not that any of us folks are perfect. We are not. Neither is Emmitt Smith. However, from my point of view, both during his professional life as a football player and the life he has built after his retirement, Smith has excelled -- as a family man, Dallas businessman and community leader.

He has seemed to take all his natural, God-given abilities, his professional experiences as an athlete and the lessons learned from family, faith, friendships, teachers, mentors and coaches to overcome challenges and parlay all of it into becoming the man and leader he is today. He significantly gives back to the Dallas community his time and talents.

With family at his side, he has faithfully built on a strong foundation, supporting others in the fulfillment of their hopes and dreams.

He who gives, gathers, to paraphrase Proverbs 11:25. You have never put your light under a bucket, but instead let it shine brightly in every dark corner. Thank you, Emmitt.

Elizabeth Sutton, Athens

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Letters to the Editor -- Three cheers to Blen Teklu, Peter Johnson, Emmitt Smith