Working to Keep His Dreams Alive

Just in time for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, students throughout the Three Village Central School District spent time discussing the importance of this legendary man and engaging in a variety of activities as they celebrated a districtwide Diversity Day.

With prepared speeches in hand, thirteen P.J. Gelinas Junior High School seventh-grade students took to the school’s stage to participate in the building’s annual “I Have A Dream…” Oratory Contest. In preparation for the event, the students worked with program coordinator Louis Laird and teacher Doug Elliot to draft messages fashioned after Dr. King, Jr.’s famous speech.

The students’ speeches touched upon their personal goals, such as becoming a professional athlete, to those that would reach the masses, including finding a cure for cancer and strokes, to developing a national program geared towards preparing students for college. After each student delivered their compelling speeches, this year’s judges, Richard Romero, April Hatcher, and Andrew Pelosi, scored the students based on their delivery, organization, content, appearance, and poise. Congratulations to Caite Bucco, Joseph Barbieri, and Emily LaRosa, who placed first, second, and third place, respectively, in the contest.

Additionally, Gelinas’ Junior Art Honor Society members created a mural in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  Nineteen students ranging from grades seven through nine worked on the project both after-school and independently to create a collaborative piece of artwork that was unveiled to the school on Diversity Day. Each student was given his or her own square to complete and selected a color and medium to work in, including pencil, paint, collage, charcoal, and pastel.

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