Janesville Parker student Aaliyah Housley sings BeyonceÃÛèÖÊÓƵ rendition of the classic Beetles song “Black Bird,†during an assembly honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025.
Artwork celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr., created by students, is displayed at Janesville Parker High School during an assembly honoring King on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025.Â
Janesville Parker student Aaliyah Housley sings BeyonceÃÛèÖÊÓƵ rendition of the classic Beetles song “Black Bird,†during an assembly honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025.
JANESVILLE — JanesvilleÃÛèÖÊÓƵ two public high schools dedicated two assemblies each this week to the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the impact he had on American history. Craig honored King on Wednesday, Parker on Thursday, for his efforts to gain equal rights for African Americans in the 1950s and 1960s.
ParkerÃÛèÖÊÓƵ two assemblies on Thursday were entirely student-run and incorporated singing, dancing, poetry and oral essays. They began with three young women singing “Lift Every Voice and Sing,†by James and John Johnson, noted as the “Black national anthem†by speaker Makiya Smith.
As part of the event, 4 works of art were unveiled, created by students to honor King.
Galvina Joiner, one of the artists, said she was “inspired to create this painting because Dr. King represents all of America. We all want to be treated equally and with dignity.â€
Artwork celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr., created by students, is displayed at Janesville Parker High School during an assembly honoring King on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025.Â
“This is why we must continue to protect Dr. KingÃÛèÖÊÓƵ dream,†Joiner closed by saying, noting details in her artwork. “The young girl gazing up at him represents the next generation inspired to continue history. She admires him for what he has done for her. I am using imagery to express my commitment to protect history.â€
Vocalist Desiree ThaoÃÛèÖÊÓƵ rendition of “Skyfall,†by Adele, earned a resounding response from the crowd.
Thao said she chose the song because it reminds her of “the many struggles that Dr. King experienced. The message to take from this song is ‘If we have each otherÃÛèÖÊÓƵ backs, we can conquer anything.â€â€
As she progressed through the piece, students could be heard whooping in the audience and waving their cellphones back and forth, with the lights on.
Six students performed a dance piece together, “The Mission Dance,†to the music of Beyonce, Missy Elliot and Ciara, interwoven with one of Dr. KingÃÛèÖÊÓƵ speeches.
Cozette Moffett then read her original poem “On This Mission Together.â€
“The quiet hope, the fight for right, to build a world with love — not spite,†Moffett read confidently. “For Dr. King and all who tried, for those who marched, for those who cried. We’re all on this mission, you and me, to keep this dream — so all are free.â€
One of the last presenters was Aaliyah Housley sitting on a stool on the stage as she sang BeyonceÃÛèÖÊÓƵ rendition of the classic Beatles song “Black Bird,†which Paul McCartney wrote for Black girls of the Civil Rights Movement.
As Housley sang, historical images were displayed on a screen behind her of Ruby Bridges, Little Rock Nine, and other young Black people when they began integrating into all-white schools.
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