“I have a dream that there will be no hitting, stealing, teasing, kicking and no guns.” First graders learning about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. were asked to emulate the ideals and lessons of the Civil Rights Movement. It was in preparation for a day-long, all-school celebration of Dr. King on January 16^th that culminated with the first graders’ recitation of these dreams during a special assembly at the Upper School . One by one the young students, dressed in their Chapel finest, walked up to a lone microphone on a darkened stage and told the audience their hopes for the future: “I have a dream that we will love our families no matter what, and that we will not laugh at others;” “….I have a dream of becoming a person that takes care of pets when people give them back. I like taking care of pets;” …the U.S.A. will be better developed with nicer buildings, more interesting things and more children”.  The first graders then remained on stage together to recite a poem entitled “Martin Luther King, Jr.”.

The celebratory day began for the first graders and the rest of the Lower School in the Chapel where they were treated to a guest speaker, Dr. JoAnne Spencer. Dr. Spencer is a retired professor from Kutztown University and the mother of alumnus Jacque Darrell ’99, who also attend the service. A charismatic storyteller who focused on Dr. King’s childhood, Dr. Spencer also led the congregation in the song “This Little Light of Mine”. Headmaster Mr. King spoke of how we should remember that although Dr. King was a dreamer, he was also a doer, and with the privilege we enjoy at Moravian Academy we are obligated to be doers as well, and help those in the community who need it.

Lessons and projects with Dr. King in mind dominated the Lower School ’s Main Building . The classrooms were abuzz with artwork, literature and math problems designed to teach students the about the life of Dr. King. One class used their math skills to figure out how old Dr. King was when he received his PhD in Philosophy from Boston University in 1955 (26); one class recreated a portrait of Dr. King by drawing a piece of it on their own and then putting the pieces together. Students also dedicated themselves to creating signs they would later carry for their peace march through God’s Acre. They chose messages that promote the ideals of Dr. King’s message- love, peace, unity, brotherhood.

Middle School students spent the day in special classes learning about diversity in current events, diversity as seen through physical appearances between people and stereotypes, they also participated in a day-long experiment with different colored Lego pieces. Every student was assigned one at random, and had to obey the discriminatory rules associated with their Lego’s color. Yellow blocks had to go to the end of the lunchline, and the blue Legos could not use certain water fountains. Middle School Director Bob Bovee found that the students policed themselves in following the rules, rarely rebelled, and remained quieter than normal throughout the day. It was an abstract yet powerful lesson in empathy.

While the Middle School students were learning about stereotyping and discrimination, the Upper School students met two men who protested against racism.  Mr. Dick Cowen and Mr. Clyde Boscot were Lehigh Valley residents in the early 1960’s when they learned about a special event in Washington , D.C. where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. would speak in favor of “jobs and freedom” for African-Americans. Mr. Cowen recalled the impressive roster of speakers who were present that day:  Marian Anderson, who sang the National Anthem; Mrs. Edgar Evers and her Tribute to Negro Women Fighters for Freedom; Rabbi Uri Miller with a prayer. Students in the audience were treated to reproductions of the programs the protesters received on the day of the March on Washington . Mr. Cowen said that the first thing they were told by organizers of the March was “to behave ourselves”.