Valdosta remembers MLK Jr. through Youth Program - WALB.com, Albany News, Weather, Sports

Valdosta remembers MLK Jr. through Youth Program

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By Jade Bulecza - bio | email

VALDOSTA, GA (WALB) –Children in Valdosta commemorated the MLK holiday Monday with song, dance and poetry.

The MLK Jr. Commemorative Committee says students who know about Martin Luther King's life will help keep alive his legacy.

Children showed off their talents Monday in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. These Westside Elementary students are "tininkling,"hopping and dancing in between poles and to the beat of the poles hitting the stage at Mathis City Auditorium.

Their performance was followed by a poem recited by Lakembria Collins of First Antioch Baptist Church.  

"We have all sorts of talents from singing to poetry to praise dances to anything you name it," said MLK Jr. Commemorative Committee member Janice Isom Sirmans. "The kids come and they have a will to do this."

Hundreds attended this youth showcase Monday.

This is the 25th annual observance the Martin Luther King Junior Commemorative Committee has put on. This year's theme is "a past to remember, a present to behold, and a future to fulfill."

Students say they've learned that MLK was a leader.

"He stood up for civil rights and things like that so I think that the importance that we still celebrate today is to remember him and just to show what African Americans have been through," said Youth Program Participant YaLonda Jackson.

Alexia Register was another participant.

"He taught us to love everybody black or white and be nice to everybody," said Register.

"Keep the dream alive," said Terry Carter.

Sirmans says that dream can be kept alive with students educating others.

"The youth are our future and if they don't know how are we going to progress," said Sirmans.

The program's keynote speaker was the City of Valdosta's Nikki Forman who reminded everyone to fulfill the dream and prepare for the future.

As part of their annual observance, the Valdosta-Lowndes County MLK Jr. Commemorative committee held their traditional ceremony Sunday. They recognized long-time supporters and remembered King's legacy.


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