The Ron Clark Academy Celebrates and Honors the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The students of the Ron Clark Academy (RCA) recently recognized the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.   A Baptist minister, King became a civil rights activist who believed in nonviolent methods in the advancement of civil rights in the United States and around the world. 

On January 17, RCA students performed at the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta surrounded by hundreds of community leaders, politicians, and supporters who joined the King family to honor the 25^th anniversary of the federal holiday established to remember the civil rights leader. 

RCA students were not only able to reflect on King’s movement and mission, but were able to witness listening to living history lessons of people who worked with the civil rights icon. 

“They heard firsthand about the trials, tribulations and at times the pain of fighting for equal rights.” said Adam Dovico, a Global Studies and Mathematics teacher of the Ron Clark Academy.  “They didn’t just read it in a book… it was from the mouths of the people there.”

On January 14, RCA participated in the rededication ceremony of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Federal building in Atlanta.  Several political leaders and civil right pioneers participated in the ceremony including Reverend Dr. Joseph E. Lowry, The Honorable John Lewis and Dr. Martin Luther King, III. 

NaTasha Griffin, a sixth grader at RCA, led hundreds people in the pledge of allegiance. 

In 1988, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Federal building became the first in the country to bear Dr. King’s name.  The naming of the building was made possible through the efforts of Congressman John Lewis.  Presently, the General Service Administration (GSA) occupies the federal building which previously served as the home of the United States Post Office Federal Annex. 

2011 would have marked King’s 82^nd birthday, and the civil rights legend’s dream has certainly impacted the students of RCA through the participation in events honoring the leader.