Donna Brazile, the first African-American to lead a major presidential campaign, addressed a packed house at McDaniel College’s annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration. Campaign manager for Gore-Lieberman 2000, Brazile urged the audience to use Dr. King’s life as a model: to serve and give back to our communities.

Local elementary, middle, and high school students read their award-winning essays on topics ranging from peace, service, and the importance of perseverance. Winners included Emmy Bowersox from Friendship Valley Elementary, Nick Warns from West Middle School, and Natalie Saragusa from Westminster High School.

Freedom Elementary School students Megan Turlik, John Farley, and E.B. Camp earned honorable mentions, as did East Middle School students Courtney Swinson and Elizabeth Welliver and Winters Mill High School student Kristina Gavin.

Above: Alumnus Carl Taylor directs the MLK celebration audience in singing “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”