AISD at MLK
By Kenneth Perkins
AISD students were literally everywhere during Arlington ’ s fourday Martin Luther King Jr . Advancing the Dream Celebration : a banquet , a rousing step contest at Bowie High School , a multicultural festival , an ecumenical worship service , a day of service , an outdoor festival and a youth extravaganza that featured hundreds of students .
“ Yes , we ’ re very much a part of this celebration , and we have been for quite a long time ,” AISD Visual Arts Coordinator Linh Nguyen said . “ I think our participation grows every year . At least it seems so .”
One of the most heavily attended events during the MLK celebration was the Sharing the Dream Youth Extravaganza held at Fielder Church . The event featured an eye-popping choir made up of students from nearly 20 AISD elementary schools . Just coordinating the logistics of the choir was a massive undertaking , said John Maples , music teacher at Farrell Elementary .
“ It ’ s a coordinated effort with the other music teachers who have to instruct their kids in their schools ,” Maples said . “ The students love it because they get to perform in a setting with lots of people . It ’ s cool for them .”
Historically , another big-ticket item has always been the Step Show at Bowie , which showcased high school , junior high and elementary step teams . This year was no different as hundreds packed the Bowie auditorium to see teams perform . The winners got a chance to perform again during the Youth Extravaganza .
Art and essay winners Kaylee K . of Martin High School for art and Ariel A . from Arlington High School for essay were recognized as well by AISD Superintendent Dr . Marcelo Cavazos .
Many AISD students also worked on the holiday , participating in the Day of Service by helping out at Mission Arlington or raking leaves and picking up tree limbs at homes for elderly citizens .
“ We ask them to make it a day on not a day off ,” said Arlington Police Department Community Relations Coordinator Cheryel Carpenter , a member of the MLK planning committee . “ It ’ s so much easier to stay in bed and do nothing . So we always appreciate it when the students come out to serve others .”
4 Arlington School & Family