Concerned parents honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

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Baldwin school parents presented a Dr, Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration at the Baldwin High School last week.

The Baldwin School District invited Concern Parents of Baldwin, a local school parent’s organization, students, and their family members to the first Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration at the school since the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, on Jan. 16.

The school district said they brought back the celebration with an “extra-special” presentation this year, by inviting students from the high school, middle school and elementary schools to celebrate Dr. King’s legacy and birthday. The school district said as students and their families entered the High School, and into the commons, they were treated to a performance by the high school’s string ensemble, Quintessence, before enjoying an afternoon of speeches, poetry and musical performances.

The school district said Concerned Parents of Baldwin was formed in 1980 and is made up of parents whose children attend the Baldwin schools. Dr. King’s birthday was included as a holiday to be observed by schools in 1981. 

The school district said the Committee for Concerned Parents of Baldwin determined that this holiday would not be just another holiday, but instead would highlight and honor Dr. King. 

The school district said the committee created a program, which was designed to appeal to a large cross section of Baldwin residents, and involved Baldwin students from elementary through high school. The school district said the programs have been presented in the Baldwin High School Auditorium since 1982.

The school district said Breanna Henry, DJ Ward, two high school students, were this year’s Master and Mistress of Ceremonies. Sheree Lyndsey, a Baldwin school parent, and member of the concerned parents group, then summarized the theme of this year’s event — “The Marathon Continues” 

Guests enjoyed musical performances like “Lift Every Voice and Sing” and “Will the Circle be Unbroken” by the Baldwin High School Chamber Singers. Choirs from other schools also gave performances, like the Plaze Emelentary Special Chorus’ rendtion of “And His Name Was Martin Luther King” or Meadow Elementary School’s Special Chorus’s performance of “Joyful, Joyful”. 

The string quartet Quintessence performed again, this time on the auditorium’s stage, and played “Adoration.” To end the ceremony, Jada Taylor, a Baldwin High School student, recited her powerful spoken word, “How Many More.” 

GStudents and their families then gathered in the high school’s cafteria for a  final reception.