25th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Human Dignity Award Breakfast

Written by Sonja Banks

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tudents, parents, teachers, and administrators of the Lincoln community recently attended the 25th Annual YMCA of San Diego County Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Human Dignity Award Breakfast at the Town and Country Hotel on January 15, 2010.

This year's Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Human Dignity Award winner was chemist Robert Countryman. Joe Wiseman, Vice Principal of the Center of Science and Engineering, says that Robert Countryman has been, "instrumental in identifying young men that attend Lincoln who need an extra little push. He gets involved with the students through mentoring for college and success in life.

He has also helped bring the Science Bowl to Lincoln, which has been hosted at Lincoln every year since our re-opening in 2007."

Emily Galloway, of Wells Fargo Bank, presented awards to four student winners of the Youth Poetry Tribute contest. Lincoln High School's own Gamilah West, a sophomore, was the high school winner with this poem entitled, 'See King Change':

Black, Brown, White and more,
This man knew what he was doing 
for sure.

From segregated schools, and separate fountains,
to chocolate in the Whitehouse,
"we've moved mountains."

These two men see eye to eye,
President Obama helps keep his dream alive.

Although everything in life isn't fair,
With help from him, diverse love is no longer rare.

My beautiful people can't you see,
the success lives on through you and me.
That yes we should, turns into yes we must,
in his legacy and dream we trust.  

After his mighty fight for rights, and all the obstacles and opportunities being thrown at us,
the crime of non-community pride is one of the saddest.

Martin Luther King's visions were short and long range,
it enticed our 44th Presidents hope to bring change.  

He lived and died for freedom, equality, and justice to ring,
because of that today, I have my own life song to sing.

"Thank You For Everything, Dr. King"

The Keynote Speaker was Reverend Samuel "Billy" Kyles, of Monumental Baptist Church, in Memphis, Tennessee.  He was on the balcony with Dr. King when he was assassinated on April 4, 1968. He reiterated throughout his speech the importance of one's dreams.

“As a witness, I have to confess that you can kill the dreamer, but you cannot absolutely kill the dream. The dream is very much alive,” Kyles said.

Reverend Kyles spoke of the dreams of his ancestors, and urged those in the audience to continue Dr. King’s legacy by never losing sight of their dreams. He feels that the election of Barack Obama, the first African-American president, demonstrates just how far America has come, and that this progress stems from the hopes of one man's dream.  He offered many inspirational words that drew a standing ovation and brought tears to nearly everyone in the audience.

The breakfast was a sold-out event, and Chairperson Dee Sanford said that with a crowd of over 1,000 people in attendance, this year has been the largest turnout yet.