By Staff
Special to The Star
Jan. 12, 2001
Remembering a civic leader through essays, songs and speeches marked how Meridian Community College honored the life of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Thursday at its annual MLK celebration.
Antoine urged listeners to fulfill their dreams and aim toward the purposes of their achievements. "We must reach out to strengthen our minds," he said.
He noted Mississippi has the highest student drop out rate in the country. "Our children have moved from the school house to the crack house and graduated to the jail house," Antoine said, adding that more money is spent on building correctional facilities than schools.
Two Carver Middle School students  Marsha Brown, a sixth grader, and Krista Davis, a seventh grader read their winning essays during the MLK celebration. Their writing was submitted in a contest sponsored by the college's MLK committee.
Brown, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Brown, told the audience, "We should remember how he (King) led without violence." Davis, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Davis, echoed the sentiments, but added, "If Dr. King was alive today, he would be at the doors of the Florida Supreme Court, fighting for the disenfranchisement."
The celebration was also highlighted by performances by the MCC Gospel Choir under the direction of Vivian Naylor and Shywanda Moore.