Dunedin honors student essay and creative contest winners, proclaims “Love Your Library Month” ahead of 130th anniversary

DUNEDIN, Fla. — City commissioners on Jan. 23 recognized student winners from the city’s Martin Luther King Jr. essay contest and winners of the Committee on Aging Intergenerational Week Creative Expressions contest, and issued a proclamation declaring February as “Love Your Library Month” ahead of the Dunedin Public Library’s 130th anniversary.

The awards and proclamation were part of the presentations segment of the meeting. The city flagged that the essay contest winners’ texts are posted on the meeting agenda online and noted students will volunteer at the library as part of the program.

The city introduced the MLK essay winners — Riley Otash, Tycho Zeki and Aurora Radcliffe — all identified as students at Dunedin High School (and graduates of Dunedin Highland Middle School) and acknowledged an additional winner, Isabella Hatcher Miller, who was unable to attend. Student Riley Otash described being involved in youth leadership activities and noted, “I’m honored to have won the award for MLKSA.” Tycho Zeki and Aurora Radcliffe described their school activities; Radcliffe said she read 50 books last year and cited Charles Dickens and William Shakespeare as influences on her writing style.

Committee on Aging organizers presented winners of the Intergenerational Week creative contest, which this year expanded to accept art, poetry, song and essays from 6th–8th graders. Cindy Cole and committee members said the contest drew 69 entries. First-place winner Anna Duran (Our Lady of Lourdes) read an essay dedicated to her grandmother and received an iPad donated by community sponsors. Second- and third-place winners and honorable mentions were also recognized; organizers thanked local sponsors including Arden Courts and the Area Agency on Aging for donated prizes.

Vice Mayor issued the library proclamation, reading text that praised libraries’ role in community life and announced a public celebration for the Dunedin Public Library’s 130th anniversary on April 25, 2025. The proclamation encourages residents to visit the library and noted the Friends of the Library annual book sale as the library’s major fundraiser.

Commissioners and staff thanked Parks & Recreation, library staff and volunteers for organizing events and programs. Teachers and school representatives in attendance were acknowledged for coordinating students’ participation.

The presentations segment concluded with group photographs and an announcement that the meeting would continue with the regular agenda.

Ending: The recognitions and proclamation were ceremonial items on the commission agenda; no formal votes or policy decisions were taken as part of the presentations.