A Wasatch High School senior has been awarded a University of Utah Martin Luther King Youth Leadership award and Utah residents will soon be able to choose a new license plate design inspired by the civil rights leader.
Wasatch High School senior Bianca Salgado Alvarado was honored with the University of Utah Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Youth Leadership Award this week. The award honors 7th through 12th grade students who demonstrate dedication to leadership in their communities and daily activities.
This year’s theme was “Good Trouble” and the Youth Leadership Award selection committee asked students to consider the late U.S. Representative John Lewis’ message that doing the right thing or causing ‘good trouble’ could put them in harm’s way.
Students were asked to answers questions in their application about topics like a time when they did something they believe was the right thing but was unpopular or even dangerous, or what inspires them to make change or get into good trouble.
“To me, ‘good trouble’ means going against societal norms and sticking to my own morals and beliefs as a person — standing up for what is right regardless of what others think or say about me,” Alvarado wrote in her application. “Trouble isn’t always bad; sometimes we have to fight against what everyone else is doing so we can make positive change in the world around us, even if means overcoming fear of being judged. Good trouble can be a start to great and needed change as we stand together to improve our communities and the world for the better.”
Alvarado was one of 11 Utah students to be honored with the leadership award.
Meanwhile, a new Utah license plate, designed by a Utah student, celebrates diversity and inclusion and the work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The artwork that will be used on the new license plate was created by a Timpview High School student. When getting a new plate, residents will be able to choose this one – but at a cost. Residents will have to request the plate and pay a one-time administrative fee of $21.
The idea to celebrate diverse voices in a license plate started as a bill filed back in 2012 by former state Representative Rebecca Chavez-Houck. The bill was re-introduced last year with some updated changes and passed again. In a statement, Chavez-Houck said she was grateful to get to the finish line and she looks forward to seeing the plate on Utah roads.
The license plate design will be made available through the Utah Division of Motor Vehicles in about six months.
