'Justice for All' at First Baptist honors Martin Luther King Jr.

SOUTHINGTON – The only local event honoring the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was held Jan. 27 at First Baptist Church of Southington, 581 Meriden Ave. It was the 23rd year the celebration was held to celebrate the legacy of the late civil rights leader. The Rev. Sharon Holt, pastor of the church, led the worship service which was themed “Justice for All.”

The 2019 event was originally scheduled for Jan. 20 with guest speaker Richard A. Robinson, chief justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court. However due to a winter storm, the date had to be changed and the planned speaker was unable to attend. Instead, the inspirational message was a compilation of excerpts from King’s 1963 “Letter from Birmingham Jail” read by church member Darlene Steele.

First Baptist Church continued its tradition to honor two exemplary middle school students at the event. This year’s honorees were Mariah Davino, a seventh-grader at John F. Kennedy, and Sophia LeBlanc, an eighth-grader at Joseph DePaolo. The two had been honored before their peers with a plaque and Martin Luther King book at their respective schools.

Mariah loves the violin and performs in the school’s regular and elite orchestras. A Girl Scout, she has a variety of interests and excels in her studies. She is an avid volunteer having raised more than $3,500 for March of Dimes during the past three years. She assists at her church and is a Vacation Bible School leader as well as a counselor-in-training at Camp Invention. She has also volunteered as a teacher’s assistant in the school system’s summer enrichment program. “Martin Luther King taught everyone should be treated equally and with compassion… which is why I try to help people,” she said at the event.

Sophia has earned high honors throughout middle school and was recognized as a student of the month and at the Principal’s Breakfast. She has been a member of DePaolo’s Leadership Program and is a Community Service Volunteer. She is president of the National Junior Honor Society, part of the STEPS Asset Building Classroom team, involved in concert choir and the Drama Club, is on the STEPS Youth Council and is a Peer Advocate. “Sophia is a dedicated young lady who puts others first… a role model to her peers and [she] always exhibits the highest level of integrity,” said Chris Palmieri, assistant principal, in a letter to First Baptist Church of Southington Martin Luther King Jr. Committee.

“I would like to thank all of you for reminding me that even the smallest act of selflessness has a tremendous impact on the people in our lives. I’ve always lived by the simple rule: treat others as you want to be treated,” Sophia said.

School Superintendent Timothy Connellan said the honorees exemplified what the school system was teaching: Be kind to others. “You are demonstrating leadership and we look forward to your continued leadership,” he said.

Music Director Les Marsh organized the special selections including “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands,” performed by Aimee and Caleigh Cunningham, and “Who Would Imagine a King,” and performed by Lauren and Maya Johns, church members. Continuing tradition, the event concluded with “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing,” considered an anthem of the Civil Rights Movement and referred to as the “Black National Anthem.”

Rev. Holt concluded the service with a charge to be extremists for justice, to be the cloak of Jesus serving others with love and justice.

Photos from the event and “Letter from Birmingham Jail” can be viewed on the church website www.firstbaptistsouthington.org or on the Facebook page “First Baptist Church – Southington, CT.”