Cyndi Loza

The message of racial harmony Martin Luther King Jr. tried to create in the past inspired Rite of Passage student Tran Nguyen to rethink his future.

In 2005, Nguyen was in the middle of a race war in Oakland, Calif. He said there was a growing tension between Hispanics and Asian-Americans in his neighborhood that often led to violence.

The death of Nguyen’s friend made him rethink the judgments he and his friends were making based on the color of someone’s skin.

“It just tormented me in such a way because Martin Luther King sacrificed his life for segregation, and look what we’re doing,” Nguyen said.

The Northern Nevada Black Cultural Awareness Society awarded Nguyen, 17, a medal and $500 for his winning essay on how King affected his life.

The organization’s essay contest, sponsored by the Air National Guard of Reno, drew 200 submissions from middle schools, elementary schools and high schools throughout the Washoe County School District.

Nguyen’s essay won for top high school submission. He received his award during a ceremony Monday at Wooster High School.

“It feels great to know that through my life I can accomplish something like this,” Nguyen said. “It just feels once I apply my mind to something I can achieve it.”

Nguyen is part of the Rite of Passage Qualifying House, which is a juvenile group home that works on treatment issues. The school declined to comment on what crime Nguyen committed to get into the program, but said the home has no serious or violent offenders.

“Kids are our most precious resource no matter where they start,” said George Hardaway, co-founder of NNBCAS. “I do believe in giving people second chances, and he is an example of just that.”

Toni Harris, president of the NNBCAS, said she thinks the Nguyen essay has struck a nerve.

“Just by talking to him, you sense a remorse and a desire to do better,” Harris said. “I don’t think we’ve ever been touched by winners like this.”