Abby Smith’s artwork for a statewide contest honoring Martin Luther King Jr. ended up speaking louder than words.

The Troy Junior High School eighth grader’s drawing incorporated a marching band theme in saluting the late civil rights leader.

The effort earned Smith a first place in the 2013 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Art, Media & Multimedia Contest sponsored by the Ohio Civil Rights Commission.

Nearly 1,000 entries were received statewide with one winner selected for each grade level six through 12.

Smith, the daughter of Dana and Gina Smith, was to be recognized this week at the contest award winners’ recognition at the Rhodes State Office Tower in Columbus.

“I was really surprised. I wasn’t expecting it at all,” she said of the award.

Smith’s drawing came from Laura Cantrell’s art class assignment for students to draw a representation of a King quote. Smith said she loves art class and art as a hobby, but hopes to become a band director.

The following is a portion of her explanation of the winning drawing:

“If Martin Luther King, Jr. was a drum major for peace, justice and righteousness, then the people who stood with him would be the band and the people who also spoke out, like Rosa Parks, would be the color guard, so that is what I drew. The people who stood with him would be the band because there were enough people to be heard, but not everyone spoke out as much, just like not everyone in the band gets a solo. The other people who spoke out would be the color guard because some people pay more attention to the guard and what is on their flags than to the band.”

Smith explained other symbolism she included in her drawing to represent themes such as equality and peace.

“We are very proud of Abby,” Junior High Principal David Dilbone said. “It is exciting when they are recognized.”