##VIDEO ID:OuQm5T-Q8bE## [Music] parents students principles teachers and other members of the Woodridge Community I'd like to welcome you to this year's 2024 2025 Dr Martin Luther King essay writing competition [Applause] the story of this competition goes back to the contributions of a very esteemed member of the Woodridge Community who happens to also be the parent I believe of two of our esteemed principles Miss psha Osborne and it was her vision that we provide students an opportunity to reflect on the work the beliefs and the mission of Dr Mar Luther King J we frame this competition in a way where we're not telling the students what to believe we're not telling the students this is what Dr King's dream means we're introducing them to his words and providing them an opportunity to tell us what they think this dream means I can tell you after reading the essays this is likely one of the best Bates of essays that we've had to date I am so very proud of all of the students who are in this space please give all of the students a round of applause if you are here students it is because out of all of the fifth graders in your school you are the one that was chosen to represent your school so some of our schools might have 50 60 or more fifth graders and you were the one that were chosen to represent your school so you are a winner I hope you are extremely proud of yourself because not everybody was given the opportunity to represent their school so if you are here you're truly a shining star and we appreciate you to put together an event like this it takes not only the effort of us at central office but I'd be remiss if I did not recognize all of the teachers who put the hard work in to really introduce Dr King and his dream to our students all of the parents and family members who have embodied the characteristics of Dr King to the extent that our students actually reflect and they say you know my mom my dad my grandma my aunt my uncle my nephew my cousin they are the one that make me proud they one that make me see Dr King's Legacy still alive so none of this takes place without you I definitely want to demonstrate that appreciation for you here today we are going to recognize all of our schoolwide winners and then we will finish our program by providing the district winner an opportunity to read their essay aloud so next up I would like to introduce our superintendent of schools Dr Joseph good evening welcome um first and foremost I want to thank all the parents for coming out tonight for those who won the contest for their school at some point and I tell everybody this throughout the day don't say it now say at some point when you go home the people who came here that is the foundation upon which you will grow say thank you don't say it now don't say when you get in the car say it at some point when you at home cuz it means something then when they don't expect it right Mom Dad sisters brothers grandparents Aunts Uncles when they say it takes a village I agree it does and we have one here today so students I hate to give you homework this is easy homework at some point make sure you thank the people that that support you because without them none of this happens I want to thank the teachers that came I know you have dozens of students and you're coming out for one so teachers thank you principles I Echo the same sentiments hundreds of kids in your building and you're here tonight celebrating one so to my colleagues teachers staff members thank you um the mayor couldn't be here tonight he has a schedule that is unmatched um and and he does go from place to place so unfortunately he couldn't make it I know he's going to be upset um when he sees everybody talking and he wasn't one of them because I know he really likes to talk to everybody at this event um and he does really well with crowds so uh on behalf of the mayor I just want to welcome everybody I'd like to acknowledge some of our dignitaries um we have Mr Val from the Board of Ed my assistant superintendent for C instruction Mr Paul Pino uh Mr Don green Vice chairman of the wge township Human Rights Commission Mr Robert Farrell a member of the wridge township Human Rights Commission and one of the best dress guys in dear friend of mine the chairman of the Human Rights Commission Mr Mor got to keep on of stoes Mr Ali does an amazing job with this um I want to extend my gratitude and thanks to him for all the work that that he does and and for pushing out of his office uh I'm really excited as a history teacher it's nice to see some Civics and government Awards and celebrations going out uh this this one's important to me I i' I've taught many lessons on on Dr King and talk to a lot of high school students so to have the elementary students write some amazing essays um and and I really look forward to hearing some of them a phenomenal job so I know you didn't come here to hear me talk so I'm going to wrap it up I just want to thank all of the families for coming out tonight the staff members and most of all the students congratulations so this contest is a collaboration between the school district along with mayor McCormick along with the Human Rights Commission Human Rights Commission has donated their time and been very gracious to actually judge our event for many years so with that in mind I'm going to invite up chairman of the Human Rights Commission Mr Glenn Morgan who is by the way the only person that makes me look underdressed good evening everyone how are we doing all right all right I want to welcome all the parents um all the guests all the teachers and uh all winners you're all winners the parents I can't even thank you enough for your contribution to this event you are shaping and molding these kids for the future in the state country that that we're living in we know it's a very divisive country that we're dealing with right now but I think with head cooler heads and people that have a little bit more common sense we can make some progress and this is part of it right here this is where it starts at at home at home would you teach your kids what they learned is going to make a difference in the decisions that they make going forward so I thank you all parents I want you to stand up all parents thank you well deserved as a human rights as a chairman for the Human Rights Commission I put a little display in the back there we have our meetings just like the council does every month so any concerns or issues you may have you're more than welcome to come there the there's also a u schedule for the times that we will have them and the uh dates that will follow also so that is also on the back as well so I welcome you and uh anytime you want to come we'll be there for you voice your concern your opinions we're an open door so I want to thank you [Applause] okay so without further Ado at this time we are going to call up each winner the winner from each school and then after announcing the winner from each school we will then reveal the districtwide winner I'm going to ask students when you hear your name please come up from this side you will receive a certificate of recognition both from the woodb Township School District as well as one on behalf of the May office so you'll come down on this side you'll receive the certificate of recognition from Dr melino and then you will receive the second certificate from Mr Glenn Morgan so first up representing mby Street School number one Jasmine GGO and after you receive your two certificates please stop in front of the backdrop over here parents you can feel free to take as many pictures as you would like right off to the side we want to provide ample time to recognize our students next up representing avanel Street School number four5 Olivia Albert [Applause] next up representing Port Reading School number nine Tiffany Berard [Applause] [Applause] next up representing RW Street School number 11 Danny SoDo [Applause] next up from Indiana Avenue School number 18 Kahan DOI next up from Meno Park Terrace school number 19 Marley Jean Baptist [Applause] representing Claremont Avenue School Number 20 Kia Affleck [Applause] representing Oakridge Heights number 21 Theodor [Applause] KV representing Lin Crest School number 22 Janie kathari representing Woodbine Avenue School number 23 Crystal tasic unfortunately Krystal was unable to make the event today but we definitely want to recognize her as well representing lafetta State School number 25 Brooke Mitchell representing Robert mic School number 26 Samantha Hurley next up from Pennsylvania Avenue School Number 27 Alexandra Janowski next up representing Matthew jgo School number 28 Adalia [Applause] classer and last but certainly not least from Oak Tree Road School number 29 Harel buul [Applause] please one more round of applause for all of those so now is the time where we actually get to announce our districtwide winner and uh I don't envy our students because student doesn't know who they are they haven't necessarily had a chance to practice their speech they don't know that they're about to be called on but this is their moment to shine this is their moment for us to all hear their amazing words I am so happy that I'm not the one that has to judge these Essence but we do anonymize them we take the names off we take the schools off because we truly want to make sure that we are honoring the work of the very best fully redacted so without further Ado please put your hands together for our districtwide winner of the 2425 MLK essay writing contest from Oak Tre Road School Harel [Applause] now I just have to say this that when you look at this room and you look at the diversity in the room it's just I I can sometimes I lose words but that's what it's all about okay we got to keep this going okay do our part here in the community so it can spread I've had other human rights commissions that have come to me from Edison Princeton other areas they're trying to get this together themselves and know how to go about trying to bring people together so I can't thank you enough thank [Applause] you did you know that Dr Martin Luther King skied both 9th and 11th grades he was born in Atlanta Georgia on January 15th 1927 as a civil rights activist Dr King played a crucial role in important events like the Montgomery Bus Boycott and of the March on Washington his mission was to eliminate segregation discrimination and racism despite the progress he made issues of discrimination still exist today many people continue to fight for the Equal Rights inspiring others to use kindness and unity doctor King's Legacy remains a powerful symbol of of Hope and change on August 28th 1963 Dr Martin Luther King Jr led the historic March on Washington where over 250,000 people gathered to protest Against Racism racism is the unfair treatment of individuals based on their skin color during this event Dr King delivered his iconic I Have a Dream speech in this powerful speech he expressed his a desire for a for a future free of segregation and discrimination King wished for a world where there was equality and ability urging people to come together as one he foresaw black and white individuals joining hands in peace his commit his commitment to Civil Rights was Unstoppable and he inspired countless others to take up the cause the king believed that Justice and equal rights were fundamental for everyone if he were alive today he would undoubtedly continue to fight for equality he would stand alongside modern activists like amalala aavi and a Britney pnik Cunningham advocating for the rights of all people King's Legacy reminds us that the struggle for justice is ongoing together Obi must carry his his full his vision forward for a more equally accepting world all without segregation although segregation today has ended discrimination continues in various forms the fight against discrimination continues with the importance of individuals from different backgrounds be it black or white Hindu or Muslim Jewish or Christian even when faced with resistance Dr King Dr King of remained determined to p persuade others to abandon their prej justices small gestur can be can significantly contribute to appreciating diversity in our communities simple actions like holding the door open for someone can give kindness and respect additionally a friendly wave can brighten someone's day particularly if they're feeling down every effort no matter how small counts in the struggle against discrimin ation it is crucial to lift each other and create an inclusive environment together we can work towards a more accepting place and diverse Society many people inspired me as a person but there is one that stands out Cesar chavz the reason he inspires me is because his work is similar to Dr Martin Luther King's Jr's efforts in the Civil Rights Movement Chavis recognized that many farmers were not receiving fair treatment and wages instead of ignoring their rights like many others he chose to take a stand he organized strikes and protests to demand better con conditions for Farm Workers notably he went on a hunger strike for 36 days to bring attention to their struggles his his dedication and and commitment to society resounded deeply with within me shavis also emphasized the important of nonviolence resistance and showing that peaceful protest can be powerful his legacy continues to inspire activists around the world today I admire how he brought people together for a common cause giving a sense of unity and purpose in a world where many are quick to look away from in Injustice shavis C courage serves as a reminder to stand up and fight for what is Right Dr Martin Luther King has made a huge impact on the World by ending segregation through the ending the separation of black and white people with Rosa Parks on his side King was making progress to the end of discrimination his mission was so close to completion if it was not for the fact that he died so young he led the march in Washington mgy bus boycott and the B campaign Dr King did many things and worked hard to bring us to a peaceful time when thinking about many people who inspire me as a person they all followed Dr King's footsteps let's give him a big round of applause that was no practice that was called amazing job H amazing job [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Music]