MLK Day - Celebration of Freedom at Athens High School Honors Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

 

MLK DAY – Celebration of Freedom at Troy Athens High School

Event Honors Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  / Keynote Speaker Dr. Ray Johnson

 

(TROY, MI) – Honor the legacy of one of America’s greatest leaders at the 2012 “MLK – A Celebration of Freedom,” a tribute to the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  The program will take place at Athens High School on Monday, January 16 at 8:30 am.  There is no charge to attend, but donations will be accepted to help cover the cost of the breakfats and to organize next year’s program.  All ages are welcome.

 “We look forward to capturing the spirit of Dr. King and remembering his life through this celebration,” Cindy Stewart, Community Affairs Director for the City of Troy said.  “This family event is a meaningful way to pause and reflect on his uncompromising dedication to garnering civil rights for all people.” 

 The Celebration kicks off with a welcome by Padma Kuppa, Outreach Chair from Bharatiya Temple and one of the Founding Members of the Troy Interfaith Group.  She will also lead our symbolic Unity Walk with Troy School District students and the Troy High School Drumline around Athens High School.

This will be followed by our Keynote Speaker Dr. Ray C. Johnson, one of the country’s top educational consultants.  Dr. Johnson founded and assisted in the development of schools across the country. He has been a pioneer in the realm of character education, accelerated learning, multicultural and African-Centered curriculum through his groundbreaking, site-based management. He has elevated parental and community involvement to record-breaking levels. 

 

Due to his unique ability to engage the reluctant learner and raise student achievement, he has earned the distinction of being one of the country’s top educational consultants. Armed with the mission of providing world-class education for all children, he has worked with countless school districts, universities, and government agencies reaching to develop and empower thousands through his many seminars in curriculum development, organizational psychology, and student motivation. In an effort to bolster self-esteem and foster values, Dr. Johnson formed two organizations:  Man-to-Man and S.E.L.F. (Sisters Empowered through Love and Friendship) mentoring programs targeting boys and girls ages 4-21.

 There will be a music performance, “A Celebration of Diversity” by the Troy Honors Choir made up of 5^th through 8^th graders representing the Troy elementary and middle schools.  A dance performance will be presented by the MLK Dancers sponsored by the Troy African American Parent Network (TAAPN).  Students from Troy and Athens High Schools will highlight the programs they are doing to celebrate diversity and inclusion.

In addition, there will be recognition of the middle and high school winners of the MLK Essay Contest. This year’s essay theme was “What Influence has the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Had on You? There will also be a continental breakfast immediately following the program prepared by Sodexo Food Service.

 “We received hundreds of essays from students about how Dr. King’s legacy has affected them and how they are taking action to make the City of Troy a better place,” said Kerry Birmingham, Troy School District. “From accepting others within our diverse community to exploring other’s unique viewpoints, the efforts demonstrated in the essays were amazing.  It’s truly inspiring to see that Dr. King’s words and actions are still living on in our youth.”

 Organized by the City of Troy and the Troy School District, this year’s event is sponsored by: Alliance Mobile Health, Troy Community Coalition, Troy Foundation for Educational Excellence, Walsh College, Sodexo Food Service, Troy Interfaith Group, Community Bowling Centers – Troy Lanes & Bowl One, WOW! Internet*Cable*Phone, and Lutheran Church of the Master.

 Athens High School is located at 4333 John R.  For more information about the program call the Community Affairs Office at 248.524.1147.