Peru State College (PSC) honored Martin Luther King Day on Monday, January 20 with a brunch, music and various presentations given by both college students as well as contest winners from a number of different area schools.
The event was held in PSC’s student center and the brunch being served was what Dr. Robert Ingram called “Sunday Breakfast.” The soul-food meal consisted of fried chicken, okra, waffles, cornbread and other Southern staples. During the meal, the Hoyt Street Jazz Ensemble, directed by Mark Benson, played a number of upbeat tunes for the audience, some with vocal elements, others simply instrumental. Following the brunch, Dr. Ingram took the mic to explain the poster and essay contest held by PSC. “The contest was proposed to many of the schools in the area, including Lincoln and Omaha schools,” Dr. Ingram said, “We had about 75 entries total, and some of those winners came down today to present their works.”
Of the winners, Johnson-Brock 5th grader Alan Herrle read his essay about what Martin Luther King Day meant to him first. Another first place essay was written and read by Jada Ward, a 3rd grader from Nelson Mandela Elementary, and Lula Thomas from Nelson Mandela Elementary was also called to the front to read her 2nd place essay. “It’s important for the younger generations to be able to come and experience a campus like PSC,” Dr. Ingram said, “Even if they don’t end up attending this school, just being exposed to the environment is a good step to helping them find the institution that fits them best.”
