The Spartan Chronicles
MLK AssemblyFriday, March 02, 2012 By Alicia Coleman and Elle Maiyer
As Black History month ended, Campbell High School re-established its Martin Luther King assembly, Living the Dream, for the first time in three years on February 28, 2012. Students spilled into the Wills Gym and sat respectfully to witness the different talents and inspiration of our very own classmates and motivational speakers. The assembly first began with the presentation of the flag by the JROTC Color Guard. Senior Amber Brendal sang the Star Spangled Banner with confidence and passion bringing the whole Wills gym to calm. Isaiah Hunter, senior, gave an outstanding performance with his poem/rap about racism and the joy of being Black. Isaiah’s performance had an obvious impact on many of the students and got the message through in a way all teens could relate to, music. Hunter is a popular poet having first performed his poem during November’s International Fest. The Spartan’s gospel choir then sang the acclaimed Black National Anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” which was orchestrated by chorus director, Mr. Crosby. The song was moving in that the tempo was more spiritual and reflective compared to Isaiah’s rousing rap directing the message through music to the students and faculty. One major performance delivered by nine Campbell students. Each taking a section of the famous Martin Luther King speech, “I Have a Dream” with their own individual languages or one they study as a foreign language: Isaiah Hunter, English; Mark Ilao, Tagalog; Meghan Jones, Japanese; Maricarmen Ordonez,, Spanish; Shornima KC, Nepali; Fatim Gbane, French; Zarmina Anwar, Urdu; Marianna Agudelo, German and Juan Janse van Rensburg, spoke Afrikaans. This performance was one of the highlights of the “Living the Dream” assembly. Mr. Mel Pender was the guest speaker who explained to students about motivation and pushing themselves to accomplish goals though his inspiring life story. “You can’t do it sitting down,” said Pender. Pender revealed that he worked hard for himself to make his mother proud. Mr. Pender joked with students about how he was turning 75 years old in about seven months and looked pretty swell for his age. Pender touched the hearts of the students in the gym that and gave them the inspiration to do what they believed in. This former two-time Olympic athlete, Vietnam veteran, and local business entrepreneur serves as a role model for students to follow and to aspire to his success. Finally yet most importantly, Ms. Denise Magee, principal, several faculty members and members of the Campbell High School coaching staff awarded esteemed faculty, students and community members with Martin Luther King Humanitarian awards. Cumberland Community Church Pastor Mike Thurman and long time volunteer C. Greg Foster were both presented with the MLK Humanitarian award and were acknowledged and cheered on by all for their good works serving the athletes, students and the Campbell community. Students Aaron Churchill, Gabriel Gray and China Cardriche all were presented with the student humanitarian award. Aaron Churchill, senior, is a current member of the wrestling team and holds a GPA of 3.7. He will attend West Point in the fall. Gabrielle Gray, senior, has been part of student government, leadership in SGA, Link Crew and a co-captain of the Lady Spartan’s Varsity Basketball team and holds a GPA of 4.3. She will attend North Carolina A and T. China Cardriche, senior, has been accepted to Stanford, Harvard and University of Pennsylvania and is an active member in Link Crew and Habitat for Humanity. She maintains a GPA of 4.5. Dr. Julia Richardson, counselor and English teacher Crystal Kidd were awarded with the faculty commendation. |