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Through music, Martin Luther King Jr. was honored at the 18th annual tribute program Sunday, presented by The Committee to Comemorate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Inc.
The Fort Wayne Youth Symphony Orchestra performed keynote speaker Dr. Jonathan Bruce Brown's composition "Legacy of Vision: Martin Luther King" during the two-hour event. Also performing in the piece were the Warsaw Community High School Select Chorale and the Come As You Are Community Church choir, Fort Wayne, with Dr. Frank Beard providing narration. The select chorale also sang "Wade in the Water," and the church choir sang "Glorious," "You Are Good" and "I Need You to Survive." Committee Chairman the Rev. Joseph Banks performed a solo rendition of "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot." The audience was led in singing the Negro National Anthem, "Lift Every Voice and Sing", and "We Shall Overcome."
During his keynote speech, Brown said writing the "Legacy" piece has been a major significane in his life. Writing it helped him shed the straitjackets of academic life and to seek authenticity. He said he is pleased how the music helps close boundaries.
Some people may question the reasoning behind MLK Day, Brown said. It's not to honor one man. "The meaning of this holiday is simple," Brown said. "To hold high the ideas he talked about."
It is critical for people to realize the things MLK fought for were not just for people of color, but for all people, he said. He encouraged everyone to help spread the light of freedom and not give in to the darkness of bigotry.
Two local Grace College sophomore women received the minority scholarships, an annual event. The scholarships, of $1,000 each, went to Xochill Cervantes, first place, and Maria del Rico, second.
Cervantes, a nursing and Spanish major, said she came to the U.S. about six years ago for more opportunities and a better education. She is the first person in her family to receive a college education. "What a dream come true," she said. King's monumental words not only impacted the African-American community, she said, but also other minorities, including Hispanics.
"I am honored to be one of the recipients of this prestigious award," said Cervantes.
Del Rico is a psychology and criminal justice double major and she also came to the U.S. about six years ago. When she arrived, she told the crowd she didn't speak any English, but she dreamed of receiving a higer education.
"Today," she said, "that dream has come true."
She thanked Dr. King for opening the doors to opportunities for ethnic minorities.
"It is an honor for me to be a recipient of this award," del Rico said.
Both women said they have been successful because of the support from their families and the community.
The Mistress of Ceremonies was WANE-TV's morning/mid-day news anchor Terra Brantley. Brantley also was the 2005 keynote speaker.
The past year has been one of change for thousands of people, Brantley said, because of the hurricanes and tsunamis. Though the world witnessed the tragedies, they also saw the courage of those trying to rebuild their lives. Brantley said she personally went down to Louisiana for three days and it was very humbling to see. It made her realize that all the material possessions one has mean nothing and that it's important for all of us to work together.
The past year also marked the passing of Rosa Parks. Parks' sitting down on the bus, refusing to give up her seat to a white man, prompted Dr. King to get everyone else to stand up for change.
Those in attendance at the tribute program Sunday, she said, were showing their concern and their dedication to the fight for civil rights for all, regardless of color or gender.
Before his solo, Banks also spoke briefly.
"It's been just a delight to hear the young people," he said of the Fort Wayne Youth Symphony Orchestra. He also praised the choirs and noted that the free will donations totaled more than $1,000.
Banks spoke of how "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" is a negro spiritual and gave a brief history of the negro spiritual.
Several hundred people were in attendance Sunday at the program at Lakeview Middle School auditorium.
Local high school students performing with the Fort Wayne Youth Symphony Orchestra included: cello, Leah Bateman, Wawasee; flute, Megan Kendall, Warsaw; French horn, Ashley Czuba, Sarah Kelly, Ryan Murphy, all of Warsaw; trumpet, Kevin Beard, Warsaw; trombone, Michael Abel and Matt Rudkin, both of Warsaw; and timpani and percussion, Cyrus Felton, Eric Green, James Trafny, Adam Wishart, all of Warsaw.
