News Release
January 4, 2006
"Keeping The Dream Alive" Will Focus On Lessons Of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.; Event For 1,700 Students Is Friday, Jan. 13
Culminating a week of studying and discussing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the YMCA of Metropolitan Denver, Denver Public Schools and Kroenke Sports Enterprises will host a celebration - Keeping the Dream Alive - for 1,700 DPS fifth-grade students from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 13 at the paramount Theatre, 1621 Glenarm Place.
The YMCA, DPS and Kroenke Sports collaborated to develop curriculum, facilitate an essay and art contest and host a celebration - all focused on helping students understand and celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
"In the past the YMCA has done a fundraiser around this day...we felt like it was time to change the focus by working with our partners to provide a fun and educational process for learning about this great man" said Mike Dino, Board Chair of the YMCA.
The event itself, hosted by the Paramount Theatre, will include performing groups from the Denver School of the Arts and East and North high schools. 9NEWS anchor Bazi Kanani and Altitude personality Will Jones will co-emcee the event. Guest speakers Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper, radio personality Gloria Neal, Denver Nuggets Community Ambassador Walter Davis and Executive Director of the Mayor's Office for Education and Children Maria Guajardo Lucero will share their personal stories as they relate to MLK. Three essay contest winners and three art contest winners also will be recognized and presented with awards for their work.
"Thanks to the YMCA for organizing this meaningful learning opportunity for students about the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.," said DPS Superintendent Michael Bennet. "The curriculum, essays and art projects have engaged fifth graders across the district and no doubt will have a lasting impact on their understanding of this great American hero."
The YMCA of Metropolitan Denver has served the Denver community since 1875, offering programs and services to individuals and families regardless of age, gender, race, religion, national origin or financial ability. It is the YMCA's vision that the people in the communities it serves, turn to the YMCA as their provider of choice for the programs and services it offers. The YMCA is the largest youth and family agency in the metro area.
For more information, contact the DPS Communications Office at 720-423-3414.