Celebrating King’s birth
By Lisa DeNeal Post-Tribune correspondent January 30, 2012 4:10PM
Sophomore Nathan Mason of the Wirt-Emerson Visual and Performing Artst Academy sings the National Anthem at the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birth Anniversary Convocation at West Side Leadership Academy in Gary, Ind. | Stephanie Dowell~Sun-Times Media
At a Glance
Students at Gary schools collected the following donations for Gary Educational Development Foundation scholarships: Banneker, Brunswick, Beveridge and Webster Elementary schools, $100 each; Marquette Elementary, $200; Jefferson Elementary, $500; Glen Park Academy, $360; Williams Elementary, $302; Bernard C. Watson Boys Academy, $50; Frankie Woods McCullough Girls Academy, $270; West Side Leadership Academy, $1,500; Wirt-Emerson Visual and Performing Arts Academy, $1,500; Roosevelt Career and Technical Academy, $500; and Lew Wallace STEM Academy, $500.
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Updated: March 1, 2012 8:09AM
More than $6,000 was collected by elementary, middle and high school students and presented to the executive director of the Gary Educational Development Foundation Jan. 19 during the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Birth Anniversary Convocation at West Side Leadership Academy in Gary.
The convocation is sponsored by the intra-city student council, the Gary Community School Corp. and the Gary Educational Developmental Foundation. The monies collected by the students will go toward scholarships and programs conducted under the foundation.
Foundation executive director Charius Haney thanked the students and the intra-city student council for their annual efforts in providing scholarships for high school seniors to continue their education in college.
“You all have ambitions and to the seniors of the class of 2012 I advise you to visit your counselors and apply for scholarships, especially from the GEDF,” she said. She added that students can visit www.gedf.org for more information and to directly apply for scholarships.
The convocation featured performances from the West Side Leadership Academy and Wirt-Emerson Visual and Performing Arts Academy choirs and words of encouragement in honoring the late civil rights leader.
“We are honoring the efforts of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.,” Dwight E. Pointer, program associate for Parenting and Community Involvement, said. “It is fitting that students are active in the convocation, as Rev. King encouraged youth involvement.”
Gary schools Superintendent Myrtle Campbell said King was a giant who stood tall against bigotry, segregation and violence.
“Just as he stood tall, you, the students must stand tall against drugs, gangs and bullying,” she said.
Intra-city student council vice president Shernette Sanders of West Side said without the brave and courageous strides made by King, students would not have the freewill to sit or eat wherever they wish, gather as a diverse group or obtain an education.
“We have to honor and respect a man who is a legend,” she said.
Intra-city student council president David King Jr. said it was time for students to come together in unity instead of always fighting amongst themselves.
“I am tired of the fighting in the schools. I am tired of students and parents who give up. Brothers, pull your pants up! Sisters, stop wearing clothing that disrespects you and who you truly are — beautiful queens,” he said.
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