Many students from the Worcester Public Schools are participating in events around the city to honor late civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
This includes the MLK Jr. Art Competition with the Worcester Historical Museum and Quinsigamond Community College’s MLK Breakfast.
On Saturday, January 13, many students performed at the 30th annual MLK Jr. Breakfast at Worcester State University.
Professional singer Vanessa Ford opened and closed the event with her incredible performances of “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” and, “We Shall Overcome.”
Doherty Memorial High School student Zuri Roach also gave a singing performance.
Serenity Jackson, the City’s Youth Poet Laureate and a Worcester Technical High School student, recited a poem focused on a longing for peace.
Maryjane Bitar, also a Worcester Tech student, received the MLK Jr. Community Service Award.
There were several additional performances by young people, which included WPS students: the Eternal Lion Dance Troop, Learning First Step Team, and Friendly House (spoken word).
The following Worcester Public Schools students won the MLK Jr. Poetry Contest and were recognized at the event:
Grade 12:
Naria Rondeau, University Park Campus School
Brandon Bitar, North High School
Grade 11:
Dea Kamberi, Doherty Memorial High School
Rose Janelle Louisville, Worcester Technical High School
Kaelan Chormey, University Park Campus School
Grade 10:
Kristen Doan, South High Community School
Daphne Baumann, South High Community School
Rediet Abayneh, University Park Campus School
Darlene Hang, University Park Campus School
Grade 9:
Nicole A. Carmenate, Burncoat High School
Camillie Falero Guzman, Burncoat High School
Grade 8:
Grace Ellen Johnsen, Forest Grove Middle School
Mackenzie O’Brien, Forest Grove Middle School
Aislyn Rosario Reynoso, Sullivan Middle School
Lashika Kapoor, Worcester East Middle School
Grade 7:
Jaida Johnson, Forest Grove Middle School
William Leopold Dirlinger, Forest Grove Middle School
Katherine Amankrah, Forest Grove Middle School
Sireliz Muniz, Burncoat Middle School
Nylah Nderitu, Burncoat Middle School
Serena Kosta, Burncoat Middle School
Ester Stefanllari, Burncoat Middle School