King Middle School and Communities In Schools of Atlanta celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Students from King Middle School gathered in the auditorium Thursday for a momentous assembly to honor the school’s namesake: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Co-organized by Bevin Carpenter of Communities In Schools (CIS) of Atlanta, the metro area’s leading dropout-prevention organization, the event was designed to educate students, parents and school staff about the importance of believing in dreams, achieving goals and succeeding in life.

Atlanta Board of Education member Brenda Muhammad (District 1) served as emcee for the program, which included two keynote speakers: State Sen. Donzella James (pictured, at right) and Pastor Olujimi Brown. The ceremony also recognized the first- and second-place winners of the King Middle School Poetry Contest held in conjunction with the legacy celebration.

“Martin Luther King, Jr. was more than a dreamer,” Sen. James told the captive audience. “I know many of you have dreams. So get a plan, get a job, and get right with that plan. When will you speak up? When will you stand up? The world is waiting for you.”

Communities In Schools (CIS) of Atlanta has been connecting community resources with schools to help students successfully learn, stay in school and prepare for life since 1972. Through partnerships with Atlanta Public Schools, Project GRAD and DeKalb County Schools, CIS of Atlanta is impacting more than 46,000 students at 75 partner schools during the 2009-10 school year. For more information about CIS of Atlanta, visit www.cisatlanta.org.