Countywide : Kids Voice Dreams for King’s Birthday

Students at Fullerton’s Ladera Vista Junior High School paid tribute Friday to Martin Luther King Jr. by following his example.

On a stage lit by hundreds of white lights, 80 students read speeches modeled on the late civil rights leader’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech, given at a 1963 rally in Washington.

In their speeches, the youngsters called for a wide range of reforms, from an end to child abuse and gang violence to clean oceans and eternal love.

“They are pretty sophisticated,” teacher Ellen Burroughs said of the students.

A number of other events are planned for the coming week to commemorate King’s birthday, a national holiday observed Monday. Among them:

SUNDAY

* Mission Viejo. A reception and dinner sponsored by Saddleback College and Shepherd of the Hills United Methodist Church, 26001 Muirlands Blvd., 4 p.m. Cost for dinner: $10. Information: (714) 582-4628.

MONDAY

* Mission Viejo. An all-day event sponsored by Saddleback and Shepherd of the Hills featuring speeches, a panel discussion and musical performances. Saddleback College Student Services Center, 28000 Marguerite Parkway. Cost for lunch: $10. Information: (714) 582-4628.

* Santa Ana. A breakfast sponsored by Neighbors, a South County social organization. Tippins Seafood Connection, 1233 W. 5th St., 9 to 10:30 a.m. Cost: in advance, $8 for adults and $4 for children; at the door, $10 for adults and $5 for children. Information: (714) 362-9505.

* Santa Ana. A celebration including choir performances and speeches by community leaders. Sponsored by the NAACP’s Orange County chapter. Valley High School, 1801 S. Greenville St., 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Information: (714) 543-3637.

* Yorba Linda. Reception and discussion for youth, Friendship Baptist Church, 17145 Bastanchury Road, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Information: (714) 528-0990.

TUESDAY

* Irvine. UCI’s 12th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Symposium, featuring musical and literary tributes to accomplished African Americans. Cross-Cultural Center Terrace, noon to 3:30 p.m. Information: (714) 824-7215.

WEDNESDAY

* Irvine. Speech by Joe Hicks, director of the Multicultural Collaborative of Los Angeles and former executive director of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. Sponsored by UCI’s Cross Cultural Center, noon to 1 p.m. At 7 p.m., the Rev. Cecil Murray of First AME Church in Los Angeles will speak in UCI’s Crystal Cove Auditorium. Information: (714) 824-7215.

THURSDAY

* Irvine. UCI’s 12th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Symposium concludes with a march beginning at Culver and University drives at 10 a.m. and ending with a noon rally at the Student Center.