Although the Martin Luther King, Jr. “Remembering the Dream” celebration at the South Campus was a couple of days after the official holiday, it was well worth the wait. Mishuna McDonald from the South Campus Student Activities department said she has spent the last few months coordinating the event, which recognized the artistic efforts of students from South Campus feeder schools and offered proof that Dr. King’s dream of equality is still alive.
The Dream Through Artistic Eyes
After a welcome from new South Campus president Peter Jordan, the O.D. Wyatt Choir kicked off the celebration with a performance of a poignantly relevant hymn based on the 133rd Psalm, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.” Then the audience clapped along to their upbeat version of “Ode to Joy.”
The celebration continued with Jimmy Adams, director of Workforce Services, reciting an original poem “A Dream Realized;” TCC student Draeshyn Gardner belting out a powerful a-cappella version of “Lift Every Voice and Sing;” and Thermostat Mimes member Miguel Hardy performing a mime interpretation of Sam Cooke’s classic “A Change is Gonna Come.”
A New Generation of Dreamers
But all of this was just a precursor to the main event: recognizing the winners of the art and essay contests from M.H. Moore and Seminary Hills Park Elementary Schools; Glencrest 6th Grade School; Handley, Leonard, and Riverside Middle Schools; and Dunbar and Polytechnic High Schools. Students submitted artistic representations of King or essays about what his legacy means to them, and the winners were invited to the celebration to show off their work and receive prizes.
Next Year’s Dream
After the winners and their proud parents were treated to pizza, cake and other snacks, and as they slowly trickled out of the room, McDonald was busy discussing next year’s celebration. Sometimes remembering the dream requires a little hard work and planning.