Local Students Speak About Dr. King’s Message at 26th Annual MLK Breakfast

About 250 people gathered to commemorate the life of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday morning at the Eastchester Community Action Program’s 26th annual breakfast at Bronxville’s .

“We are very excited to have our 26th annual breakfast at the Reformed Church this year. They donated the use of the space and their equipment. Our volunteers got together and cooked the food with a lot of love. We look forward to coming back next year,” said Charlene Lambrecht, Area Director.

The program, which was MC’d by Bronxville Mayor Mary Marvin, opened with the presentation of colors by Boy Scout Troop #353 of Eastchester, the singing of “My Country Tis of Thee” and the singing of the Black National Anthem “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”

After the invocation and blessing of the food by Rev. Keith Dragt of The Reformed Church, attendees feasted on a meal of baked cinnamon apples, scrambled eggs, roasted ham, bacon, sausage links, grits, and potatoes.  

As they ate, they were entertained by a variety of local groups, including the combined children’s choirs of Emmanuel AME and Shiloh Baptist Churches in Tuckahoe, dance presentations and additional singing.

But the highlight of the breakfast were the inspirational essays read by nine students from Bronxville, Eastchester, and Tuckahoe schools on the “lessons and legacies of a leader”—the theme of the event.  

“Today we do not have a famous guest speaker because we decided that this year’s breakfast would focus on our youth. They are going to be our guest speakers today. I frankly can’t think of a better choice in light of Rev. King’s faith in our youth to change the world,” said Marvin.

In his essay, sixth grader Andrew Lin from reflected on leadership characteristics.

“A great leader has to be very passionate about his or her cause and must express his ideas effectively. He has to have great communication skills and possess a positive attitude. In order to be a great leader, you have to be able to influence others into believing in your cause and make others feel that you can make a difference in the world,” said Lin.

Dr. King’s legacy of love and faith in God influences 21st century kids like eighth grader Jayla Harrison, also of Tuckahoe Middle School.

“Dr. King’s speech began with God and built on his son the Lord Jesus Christ. He didn’t speak in terms of black people and white people tolerating each another. His idea was to love one another. I don’t have to resort to violence, I can kill them with kindness and pray for my enemies,” said Harrison.

junior Patrick Tine spoke about the advancements in race relations America has made over the years, but that there’s still a long road ahead.

“Today the United States is governed by a black man duly elected by the majority of the people. Whether you agree with him or not Barack Obama’s election is proof that as a people we have the capacity to move beyond race and judge individuals by what Dr. King would call the content of their character,” he said. “As a nation we have come a great distance, but Dr. King’s dream is not yet realized. A black child born today has a greater chance of dropping out of school, being incarcerated, and becoming addicted to drugs than his white brother. We must not think that having a successful African American in our culture, even a president, can erase the ingrained disparities and injustices of our society.”

were also honored at the event with a special presentation by the two village mayors and town supervisor. The Bronxville girls varsity soccer team, girls cross country team and boys varsity football teams and the Tuckahoe boys varsity teams each had a representative at the breakfast who received certificates recognizing the teams’ outstanding achievements.

Along with Marvin, Tuckahoe Mayor John Fitzpatrick and Eastchester Supervisor Anthony Colavita, a variety of area officials were on hand at the event, including , Sen. Jeff Klein, County Legislator Sheila Marcotte and Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, among others.

As the breakfast drew to a close, the Combined Children’s Choir from Emmanuel AME and Shiloh Baptist Churches sang We are the World and members of ECAP staff offered their closing remarks.