The Waldorf School of Garden City celebrated the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Friday, January 16th.

In advance of the Martin Luther King holiday, students in grades 4 through 8 spent part of their afternoon preparing over 300 sandwiches and cookies for the residents and guests of the Mary Brennan Inn Food Kitchen and Homeless Shelter in Hempstead, N.Y. Each sandwich and cookie was specially wrapped and placed in a uniquely decorated paper bag.

Mrs. Keelah Helwig, a Kindergarten Teacher at Waldorf and chair of the School’s Diversity Committee, said, “The activity gave us the opportunity to be with each other, while demonstrating our care and respect for our fellow neighbor. The event truly honored Dr. King’s legacy – an opportunity to work in service to our community.”

In addition, students in grades 4 through 12 took part in a special afternoon assembly in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Among the performance highlights were:

• The High School Jazz Band performing “It Don’t Mean (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)” by Duke Ellington.
• The 12th grade performing eurythmy set to the poem “A Dream Deferred” by Langston Hughes.
• Students reciting their winning MLK essays and poems. (Click here to read the essays and poems.)
• A recitation of Dr. King’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech.

“These poems and essays were completed by the students on their own time and in-addition to their school work as an opportunity to showcase their creativity and imaginations,” said Mrs. Helwig. “Their desire for a just society would make Dr. King proud!”

Click the video below to view some highlights from the Martin Luther King Assembly: