Third MLK summit inspires youth

By Mio Moser | Manor Ink

Hurleyville, NY – The third edition of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service took place at the Hurleyville Performing Arts Centre on Friday, Jan. 12. The annual summit saw scores of youth from across the county participate in a variety of activities, spearheaded by nationally renowned speaker Duncan Kirkwood.

At the beginning of the event, Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “Blueprint for Life” speech was shown on the display. This text laid out the groundwork for the rest of the event, as it was referred to often. Students were also encouraged to apply the principles discussed in this speech to their own lives.

The importance of communication

Shortly afterward, Sullivan 180 ambassadors, accompanied by their guests, opened the event officially with a welcome ceremony that included a moment of mindfulness led by Manor Ink mentor Kim Thai. Almost 150 students then split into table groups consisting of approximately eight students from various schools for an icebreaker activity. They were given five minutes to build the tallest newspaper tower without verbally communicating to each other to teach them the importance of communication while building team skills.

Next came an inspirational speech by resilience trainer Duncan Kirkwood, returning after a welcome reception at last year’s event. In an interview with Manor Ink, he highlighted the importance of this event and its focus on King’s message.

“I think there are two reasons that this event is so important. The first is really lifting up the legacy of Dr. King, and the confidence and personal responsibility that he talked about, that everybody can make their lives better and make the world around them better. I think that is a beautiful principle that the organizers of this event have brought to life,” Kirkwood said. “I want people to always know that whatever situation they’re in, there is a possibility that it can be improved, it can be changed.”

Meeting with “blueprint facilitators”

After lunch, students had the opportunity to participate in a workshop, also led by Kirkwood, in which they learned Dr. King’s steps on nonviolent, direct action. To conclude the event, students were invited to converse with various “blueprint facilitators” from around the county. These guests provided insightful “doors of opportunity.”

“This event fosters and cultivates inclusiveness. What I think is specific about Sullivan County is systemic “isms” that reside in the county, that have become common to a certain degree. There’s that abject racism and other ‘isms’ that exist,” Martin Colavito, blueprint facilitator and community organizer, said. “We’re in this together, and everybody has a right to be who they are.”

Like last year, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service Youth Summit once again empowered the minds of numerous youths, while emphasizing messages of kindness, respect and determination. It gave some students a new sense of identity; for others, new ideas, goals or passions. In this sense, it was an inspiring success that is sure to be repeated for years to come.