DANIEL TYLER GOODEN

ST. JAMES – Though the sky outside was gray and dreary, hearts inside St. James High School auditorium shone bright and warm with the celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Sponsored by the Highway Baptist Church, the celebration featured Irma Dixon, chairperson of the Louisiana Public Service Commission. Rep. Roy Quezaire reminded the audience that Dixon was a role model, not just for being the first female and first African-American chairperson of the commission but for being such a humble servant of the people. Dixon reminded that King fought a peaceful fight for the people. Though he was imprisoned, he wrote from jail, never laying down his vision of equality between all people. “Martin didn’t just have a dream, he had a vision,” said Dixon. “We have to grow up our leaders,” she added, reminding the audience that to continue the fight for equality the children must be raised to appreciate and continue to follow the vision of Martin Luther King Jr. She went further to explain that the accomplishments she had made in her life weren’t made on her own. “The me is nothing. I am here because I was standing on someone’s shoulders,” said Dixon. She continued, “Eyes have not seen and ears have not heard what the Lord has in store for us. The vision can be realized, but we have to be hand in hand together.” The celebration also consisted of music by a community chorus and students of the St. James Parish School System. To help promising students, a collection was taken to go toward the Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Fund, which awards scholarships to high school graduates continuing on to college. Last year’s recipients were Jada Melancon, Kelein Oubre, Amber Mitchell, Erin Steib and Lariesa Harris. The collection gathered $2,401, including a $250 donation by Dixon and the Public Service Commission. The winners of the 2001 scholarships will be selected by a committee and given later this school year.