The Smithfield Times has extended the deadline for entries in its Black History Month essay contest, open to high school students in Isle of Wight and Surry.

Public, private and homeschooled students in grades 9-12 are invited to submit essays on the theme “Fulfilling Dr. King’s Dream of Equality in 2021.”

A $100 cash prize will be awarded for the winning essay, which will be published in The Smithfield Times. Essays of up to 350 words should be submitted by email to news@smithfieldtimes.com and include the author’s name, school, grade, email address and parents’ names. The new deadline for submission is 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 26.

Smithfield Times Publisher Emeritus John Edwards will lead a committee of judges who will review the essays and select a winner.

“We are pleased to sponsor this essay contest during Black History Month,” said Times Publisher Steve Stewart. “Our young people’s voices are more important than ever during this time of renewed dialogue about racial equality in our community, state and nation.”