On January 16, 2011 the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service kicked off with a huge turnout.  However, not all students contributed by participating in service per say.  Some very talented dancers and singers opened up the MLK Day of Service to show their appreciation for Martin Luther King Jr. and those being able to do the service itself.

There were several keynote speakers and performances done for the nearly 500 students participating in the service day.  Awards were given to children for a picture contest, speakers spoke of service and such, dancers did interpretive and group dances to songs about power and service, and various members of Stockton A Capella sang a moving song, “We Shall Overcome.”

The arrangement was simple but beautiful and moving.  Accompanied by Beverly Vaughn, the members of Stockton A Capella sang this moving song of overcoming struggle and hardship, which Martin Luther King Jr. did so many decades ago for the civil rights movement.  The few short verses were full of power and unity, especially evident when the members of Stockton A Capella held hands and the crowd joined in.  With everyone hand in hand and singing, I believe Martin Luther King Jr. would have been very proud to see so many different people together and preparing to do service.

I was fortunate enough to be part of the MLK Day of Service as a member of Stockton A Capella, and I hope next year to be an even bigger part of it when I perform service to the community as well.  All of the students seemed very empowered by our song, and I know that all went well that day with dedication to unity and service in their hearts.