Nichols School Gathers for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Assembly

1/17/2020

Nichols School students, faculty and staff gathered on Thursday, January 16 for the annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Assembly. The community came together through meditation, reflection and music to share a message of unity and hope in the spirit of Dr. King's life.

The assembly was led by student emcees Steven Hall '21 and Ben Upshaw '21, who shared their thoughts on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and what it means to them.

nichols school steven hall ben upshaw assembly

Licensed Mental Health Counselor Danielle Vallas, who teaches wellness to Middle School and Upper School students and leads Mindful Monday meditations at Upper School morning meetings, led the audience through a loving kindness meditation.

Modern and Classical Languages students from grades 5 through 12, led by Middle School French teacher Jennifer Porter, shared their dreams for the world in Mandarin, Latin, French and Spanish.

The Upper School Orchestra took their act from the stage to the rear walkway in the Flickinger Performing Arts Center, filling the whole auditorium behind the audience and playing We Shall Overcome, a song that provided inspiration and promise throughout the 20th century, including during the civil right movement of the 1960s.

The Kimberly Players represented the Middle School theater program and presented a short play which shared a message of unity through music.

To conclude the assembly, Upper School choir teacher Jessica Block led the audience through a rousing lesson in gospel music. Mrs. Block had everyone on their feet, clapping and singing!