On Monday, January 20, WNMU students, staff, and community members gathered to celebrate Martin Luther King (MLK) Day. This celebration took place in the Light Hall Theater. Dr. Isaac Brundage, Vice President of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, opened and welcomed everyone to the annual ceremony. Pastor Earseye Ross said a prayer to commence the celebration.
Every year, the “I Have A Dream” speech is recognized in this celebration. This year, WNMU students recited the speech in different languages. Six students participated in the “I Have A Dream” speech with DeAndre Williams reading in English, Selai Damuni in Hawaiian, Agape Foh-Amoaning in Bemba, Julia Tozzi in Portuguese, and both Karle Arce and Ruby Garcia in Spanish.
ASWNMU President, Darlene Chavez, sang Dr. King’s favorite song. The song was “Take My Hand, Precious Lord” by Jim Reeves.
Calvary Christian Academy (CCA) students presented original diamante poems. CCA student Brandon Bencomo gave the audience a background of what these poems mean. Five students presented their poems. Nita Sosaya presented Peace and War, Haley Jacquez presented Neglected and Wanted, Julia Mathieu presented Captivity and Freedom, Jesse Jasso presented Injustice and Justice, and Seth Neal presented Guilty and Innocent.
Four people were inducted into the Martin Luther King Jr. Hall of Fame. Abraham Villarreal, WNMU Assistant Dean of Student Support, and LeRon Reed, WNMU student, handed out the awards to the inductees. Community members Jovita Gonzalez, Nancy Stephens, Barbara Gabioud, and Gloria Bradford were inducted.
The ceremony concluded with a farewell prayer. WNMU thanked Brewer Hill Baptist Church, Conocilio CDS, and everyone who contributed to the celebration.
