Head of School Letter: 2024 MLK Jr. Day
Source/Author: Nancy L. Spencer, Head of School
January 12, 2024
This Monday marks the observance of the birthday of Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., a figure of great importance in American history. As a historian, I appreciate Dr. King’s legacy and impact on American society. I honor the activism for which he was awarded the 1964 Nobel Peace Prize on behalf of his nonviolent campaign against racial segregation. And I respect his example as a role model of someone who fought to create change by advocating for what he believed in.
In 1987, the St. Petersburg City Council designated Ninth Street to have the additional name of MLK Jr. Street, in honor of Dr. King. I drive on that street nearly every day and often think of the man for whom the street was named. I reflect on his time as a teenager in my previous hometown of Simsbury, Connecticut, which I wrote about in an earlier Ebytes. I remember his famous “I Have a Dream” speech, the rhythmic cadence of his preacher voice from the ubiquitous audio of that moment and the impact his words had on the world. I think about the ripple effect of his actions, choosing non-violence to affect change. I also wonder about his four children, who were so little at the time of his death, and what it must have felt like to grow up in the shadow of a lost parent, however prominent he may have been.
At Shorecrest, we suggest to our students that they think of the MLK Jr. holiday as a day of service. We encourage them to devote time on that day to make the community a better place. We hope that the example of Dr. King will inspire them to see that individuals can make a difference in the world.
As I mentioned in last week’s Ebytes, in recognition of Dr. King’s commitment to service Shorecrest Chargers will participate in the clean-up efforts at the conclusion of Monday’s MLK Dream Big Parade. The event starts at 11am. If you would like to watch the parade together or be a part of the clean-up event, please meet at noon at the corner of 1st Avenue S. and 5th Street downtown in full Shorecrest gear. For more information, please contact Mr. Roderick Fludd at [email protected].
All the best,
Nancy
