Hartland High School Celebrates Martin Luther King Jr

With Monday being a holiday, celebrating the life and message of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. took place on Thursday last week at the .

For the fifth year in a row, Hartland High School recognized the influential civil rights leader with presentations, banners and a poster contest which helps the students remember what the day is actually about, according to assistant principal, Alice Lashbrook.

“When we decided to give our kids the day off, like everybody else did, we didn’t want the idea of Martin Luther King to go away,” she said. “We didn’t just want it to be a day off from school.”

So, Hartland high school staff came up with creative ways that students could participate, learn and be part of a message that supports King's legacy. Every year, a new theme is chosen, with input from students and staff, and this year's theme was communication.

Banners from previous years -- with themes such as diversity, tolerance or forgiveness -- hang from the walls of the high school, covered with student signatures. This year’s banner of communication will soon be added to the collection.

A poster contest also takes place, with the winner being framed and hung throughout the hallways. Freshman Courtney Phelps, will soon be adding hers to the growing number. With approximately 15 contest submissions this year, Courtney won top honors with her colorful entry that included Martin Luther King’s famous, “I had a dream” speech.

“The speech was on there and kids could read it,” Lashbrook said. “And then obviously the theme was pretty prominent so it was very well done.”

The whole school, separated by grades, also spent an hour listening to speaker and storyteller Ivory Williams who entertained the crowd while also relaying King’s message to the group of students.

“They (the students) were fantastic,” Williams said. “Particularly after the presentation with the questions that they have, it shows their interest and they have a knowledge base.”

The theme of communication was also worked into William’s presentation, which he says is an important message to convey early to young people.

“Dr. King spoke for peace and one of the obstacles for peace is miscommunication,” he said. “So I try warn people, while they're young, to understand the importance of being able to effectively communicate and coming together with each other.”