King Day Event Is School Tradition
Pupils at Ladera Vista Junior High School helped promote the dream of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. on Friday in an assembly that highlighted weeks of work by the children, teachers and classified school staff.
The school’s seventh-graders took part in an essay contest, writing about their dreams for society. Their hopes for making the world a better place included ending pollution, solving ethnic conflicts and helping children, said Principal Carolyn Millikin.
The essays of 31 finalists were read at assemblies Friday. The celebration for the school’s 800 students included musical performances and dances with an African theme. Eighth-grader Nicki Chiriboga sang “Lift Every Voice,” and teacher Andrew Grauer performed the piano solo “Juba,” a song popular in Africa. Ladera Vista has been hosting similar events for more than 10 years with the help of English teacher Ella Lindsey, Millikin said.
“It’s a wonderful tradition here because it gives the kids a voice,” she said. “They really believe that they can be a part of the solution.”
District officials judged the essays and will announce winners this week.
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