Galloway Township Honors Martin Luther King Jr.

For more than two decades, Galloway Township has celebrated the life and accomplishments made by the late civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr.

King, who was assassinated in 1968, had fought for equal rights for all people in the United States. Robin L. Moore, principal at the Roland Rogers School and the keynote speaker for the municipality's Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration, said that the reverend's dream of equality has not quite been fulfilled.

Residents, regardless of their color, creed or gender, have an opportunity to come together and serve, just as King had a half a century ago.

"Let us serve together to make a difference," she encouraged. "Let's rise up, Galloway Township. We have an opportunity to make this (world) a better place."

This isn't to say that the community has not risen up for the challenge before now. Moore, who has been an educator since the age of 19, has seen students within the Galloway Township School District collect hats for the earthquake victims in Haiti.

"Our student council adopted an orphanage," she said.

But the dream isn't over, she went on, urging the community that it should continue.

More than 200 residents came out and heard Moore speak on King and his message at the Galloway Township Middle School on Monday. There were also other speakers.

St Paul CME Church Choir, under the direction of Spring Bass-Smoaks, performed during Monday's ceremony—as it has since the first commemoration 23 years ago, when it was still being held at the municipal complex.

In recent years, due to the increase in attendance, the venue has changed from the municipal complex to the Galloway Township Middle School. Bass-Smoaks' father, the Rev. Martin Bass, gave the invocation and benediction.

There were also performances by the Galloway Township Middle School Drill Team and the Absegami Select Choir. Cheryl Breitzman is the choir's director.

Additionally, the winners of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Contest were also recognized.

The winners are:

Arthur Rann Elementary School: Nolan Clarke, kindergarten; Amiya Bishop, first grade; Samantha Garofolo, second grade; Saba Bhatti, third grade; Simran Kataria, fourth grade; Rosario Llerena Olaechea, fifth grade; and Pranav Patel, sixth grade.

Reeds Road Elementary School: Carli Moran, kindergarten; Zoe Janae Wilson, first grade; Naomi Lasco, second grade; Christopher Perez, third grade; Ashley Ly, fourth grade; Riya Gandhi, fifth grade; and Aniyah Hood, sixth grade.

Roland Rogers Elementary School: Aissa Ferebee-Davis, kindergarten; Daphne Kershenblatt, first grade; Adrianna McGinty, second grade; Ava Skierski, third grade; Peyton Macrina, fourth grade; Pat McGinty, fifth grade and Joy Spavlik, sixth grade.

Smithville Elementary School: De'Mani Hicks, kindergarten; Deva Whitmore, first grade; Alexandra Hughes, second grade; Aiyanna Schisler, third grade; Kris Weber, fourth grade; Vincenzo Sacchetti, fifth grade and Ruth Tedla, sixth grade,

Galloway Township Middle School: Jessica Schrading, first place; Musharrat Anisha, second place; and Katherine Awad, third place.

Absegami High School: Zack Fetske, first place; Nafesa Reya, second place; Alli Fox, third place and Mosammat Taher, fourth place.

Middle school teacher Dave Evans, who served as master of ceremonies, thanked all the residents that showed up for coming to the 23rd annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration.

"I'm sure he's looking down smiling just like (he's shown on the ceremony program), knowing that you took the time to come out,” he said.