MLK Assembly

PHOTO COURTESY OF wikpedia.org

Originally published January 24, 2023

Mt.Baker’s last assembly occurred on January 13, 2023. During this assembly, the band, orchestra, choir, jazz choir, and the jazz band all played or sang songs to show their appreciation to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Some of Ms. Carnahan’s eighth-grade students also spoke at the MLK assembly. The students that spoke at the assembly gathered in Ms.Carnahan’s class before school and practiced their speeches until the day arrived.

“[I talked about] Martin Luther King Jr like about his life and what he did,” eighth-grader Emediong Ukpe, who spoke at the assembly, said.

One reason eighth graders spoke at the assembly was to boost their confidence and put themselves out there.

“[I spoke at the assembly because] it was like a goal for me,” Ukpe said. “It was to better myself and to better people and to better people and to give me more to like prepare me for things in the future.”

Public speaking can be scary at first or you might think you made a bad decision saying you would speak in front of others.

“Speeches are given for the benefit of the audience rather than the speaker. You’re providing information, insight, or entertainment that they want (or need) to hear; so they’re going to be more focused on what they’re getting out of it than anything else.” The website teenvogue.com said.

Although public speaking can be nerve-wracking, it is with it in the end.

“I felt good [after speaking] I felt more confident in myself. [I felt like] it was worth speaking at the assembly.” Ukpe said.

“[Dr.King used] alliteration, repetition, rhythm, allusion, and more – his ability to capture hearts and minds through the creative use of relevant, impactful, and emotionally moving metaphors were second to none.” The website duarte.com said.

Dr. King spoke at many middle schools, high schools, and his most famous one at the Lincoln memorial. He gave one speech at a middle school and it was titled “What is your life’s blueprint?”

“Number one in your life's blueprint should be a deep belief in your own dignity, your worth, and your own somebodies,” The website dvusd.org said. “Don't allow anybody to make you feel that you're nobody. Always feel that you count. Always feel that you have worth, and always feel that your life has ultimate significance.”

Dr.King was very passionate about standing up for what you think is right no matter what others might think. This was his motivation to make a difference in the way African Americans were being treated. He thought everyone should be treated equally and have the same opportunities in life.

“Martin Luther King Jr.’s 'Dream' speech was a call for equality. It identified the faults of America and what measures were needed to make it a better place.” The website investopedia.com said.

Principal Brown gave Martin Luther King’s “What is your life’s blueprint” speech in the final minutes of the assembly to encourage students and teachers to stick through with education and know that it will all pay off one day.

“Be a bush if you can’t be a tree. If you can’t be a highway, just be a trail. If you can’t be a sun, be a star. For it isn’t by size that you win or fail. Be the best of whatever you are.” The website Projects.seattletimes.com said.