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Despite the icy weather, people from all corners of Caroline County packed the Lockerman Middle School cafeteria to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day this morning, Jan. 20th. The event brought together community members of all ages, races, and backgrounds to honor the legacy of Dr. King.
The theme of unity was evident from the first item on the agenda: the singing of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” with piano accompaniment by LMS Chorus Director Leroy Potter. Throughout the program, attendees heard inspiring speeches and remarks by several community leaders, including LMS Principal Jeannine Necessary, County Commissioner Frank Bartz, School Superintendent Derek Simmons, Lockerman Schools Association President William Brown, Caroline County NAACP President Sherone Lewis, and more. Students from Colonel Richardson Middle School shared quotes from Dr. King that they strive to embody in their own lives, including, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” Pastor Terrance Nichols and Rev. Pearl Geter provided prayers and benediction.
In addition to speeches, Dr. King’s legacy was uplifted through song, dance, and poetry. A highlight of the morning was former American Idol contestant Ayla Dennis’ soulful rendition of “I’m Gonna Live the Life I Sing About in My Soul”, which received a well-deserved standing ovation. The young people got involved too, with the LMS chorus and band performing. Laila Ogletree dazzled the crowd with an interpretive dance in honor of the religious undertones of the Civil Rights Movement. And two poems– an original by Deandra Hawkins of Abrams Memorial and a reading of Maya Angelou’s “Abundant Hope” by Nikia Ogletree– ensured that the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was not only heard but felt.
“Martin Luther King was so influential and so powerful. The fight that he fought is one that we’re all still fighting today,” said Travis Turner Jr., a speaker at the celebration. And Turner wasn’t the only one who made such a statement. Several of the presenters noted that there is still work to be done.
There was a certain significance in hosting the event at Lockerman, which was an all-Black high school until the late 1960s. Utilizing a building that once emulated segregation in Caroline County to observe the power and persistence of Civil Rights leaders like Dr. King proves that while our past is not perfect, our community can come together and create change. Nothing represented this fact better than the large pile of food and toiletry donations collected during the celebration for His Hope Ministries, which supports those experiencing homelessness.
Stefanie Johnson, Executive Director of His Hope Ministries and Caroline County Board of Education Member, said “This event speaks for itself. The community involvement from so many different organizations…it really exemplifies Dr. King’s legacy of all of us really coming together under the same roof with the same common goal; to see a better community, a better life for our children, and just giving each other a hand up.”
Though the weather caused organizers to forgo the usual march to the Caroline County Courthouse, Samuel Scott delivered Dr. King’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech with a passionate rigor from the cafeteria podium.
One of the main coordinators of the event, Janet Fountain, spoke about the fact that so many turned out even in the snow and ice, “It tells me that they believe in what we’re doing and they feel that it is important to celebrate Martin Luther King on good days and bad days… Martin Luther King Day is a day-on, not a day-off. It is a day of service.”
As the day concluded and bagged lunches were passed around, the words of Dr. King still echoed through the school building: “Free at last. Free at last. Thank God almighty, we are free at last.”
