DANIEL TYLER GOODEN / L’Observateur / January 19, 2000

ST. JAMES – A message of unity flowed through the St. James High Schoolauditorium Monday, where a crowd gathered to pay homage to Dr. MartinLuther King Jr. as St. James High hosted a celebration of Dr. King’s ideals,efforts and accomplishments.

Under the theme “We’ll Walk Hand-In-Hand,” the Vacherie Primary and St.

James High school choirs performed songs of harmony, fellowship and solidarity to express Dr. King’s vision of equality.Rev. Jennifer Jones from Baton Rouge stepped behind the podium and spoketo the crowd of Dr. King’s dream. Jones challenged the crowd, saying,”Reach out to those not facing the same way” and “forget the things that divide us and welcome the things that are the same.”Jones said racism, though a problem, is not “the” problem. “The problem isthat we have not learned to love each other,” she said.

Absolute harmony is not necessary for Jones. “We must be able to disagreewithout being disagreeable,” she said.

Jones questioned the crowd on what legacy they wish to leave behind. Shehoped those before her would be able to say they had reached out to touch somebody and had walked “hand in hand” with people vastly different than them.

“We must walk together in such a way that the children that walk behind us will learn and follow,” she said.

The crowd of public and school officials, company representatives and St.

James citizens rose to their feet and filled the auditorium with applause.

Special recognition was paid to J.B. Schexnayder, retiring chairperson forthe Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship and Organization Board. Schexnayder has been chairperson since 1986 and was honored for his long-lasting dedication to the board.

Upon receiving the honor Schexnayder, with tears in his eyes, thanked his wife, Deloris.

“Without her I’d have fallen by the wayside, ” he said.

The two-hour program raised just under $2,000 for the MLK Scholarship fund, through donations. The event ended, in line with its theme, with theaudience holding hands and raising their voices in song.

Return To News Stories