On Thursday, January 11, students from grades 5 – 8 attended the 2024 MLK Holiday Observance in Humphreys Middle School Auditorium. The annual theme: Remember! Celebrate! Act! A Day On! Not A Day Off!” focuses on service to the community and uplifting those in need.

Four students from Ms. Andrea Wright-Gaines 7th grade class participated in the event:

Mistress of Ceremony – Daniel Matchett

Welcome – Alexis McCants

The Origins of MLK Day – Sara Lopez

Bell Ringing Ceremony – Kaos Harris

The highlight of the MLK Celebration was the bell ringing ceremony. Dr. MLK’s wife, the late Coretta Scott King, started this tradition on January 20, 1986. At the first MLK Holiday Observance, she requested a bell ringing ceremony be held at Independence Hall in Philadelphia to start the celebration. The first bell ringer was Samuel Pierce who served as HUD Secretary under President Ronald Regan. Each year a new bell ringer is selected.

Humphreys Middle School requested 5th grade teacher Dr. Julia Jones to ring the bell four times:

Bell One – Liberty

Bell Two – Freedom

Bell Three – Justice

Bell Four – Peace

The program ended with a beautiful photo and music display featuring highlights of Dr. King’s family, life, and achievements from his birthday on January 15, 1929 to his death on April 4, 1968.

The event coordinator Mr. Michael Robinson, Humphreys Middle School Administrative Officer, presented a certificate of appreciation to all participants. He stated the main objectives of this program was to educate our youth on why we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Day and to keep his dream alive.