MLK Day & Inauguration Day: Topics of Discussion
School Meeting & Skeptics Series Cover Both

Video clip of Dr. King’s 1963 speech.

Twice each week, the Blair community convenes in Armstrong-Hipkins Center for the Arts for School Meeting. On January 19, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, history teacher Dr. Marty Miller showed attendees a video clip of Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech (August 28, 1963) then presented historical facts leading up to this storied address and its subsequent impact through the years, including the civil rights movement and eventual election of the first African-American President. Robert Craddock, a dancer with Pocono Conservatory for the Arts (founded by Blair dance teacher Clarissa Newby Phillips), concluded School Meeting with an interpretive dance based on Dr. King’s speech.

Dr. Miller, who also directs the Society of Skeptics lecture series held each Tuesday evening, noted that the January 20 Skeptics program focused on President Obama’s address to the nation with a presentation of the taped speech, along with commentary and general discussion. All history class students were required to attend and will read and analyze the speech in classrooms as well.

At least five Blair students were fortunate enough to be in Washington to attend the inaugural ceremonies; two were participants in a five-day youth leadership program. The two students listened to a number of keynote speakers, including Colin Powell, Desmond Tutu and Al Gore. They also attended the pre-inaugural celebration concert at the National Mall. Check later for more coverage of their exciting experiences in the nation’s capital.

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Robert Craddock, a dancer with Pocono Conservatory for the Arts
Dr. Marty Miller

Updated 1/21/09

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