From one speech to two more, St. John the Baptist Parish Schools Superintendent Kevin George has the opportunity to inspire this community.

George said he received a call from U.S. Rep. Cedric Richmond’s office Wednesday morning asking if he would like to see President Barack Obama speak Thursday morning at McKinley High.

The answer was “obviously, absolutely.”

“It was a great experience for the president to be at a high school here in our own state,” George said. “It was a great opportunity for me to be there. I felt it was an honor Cedric Richmond would give me a call and ask if I wanted to attend.

“Being able to be that close to the president of the United States, I never have had the opportunity to hear him speak personally. As the first African-American president, as we get ready to go into Martin Luther King Jr. Day, I was very touched. It just brought back up a lot of emotion in him being our president. It was a wonderful experience.”

The unexpected boost comes at a perfect time for our community as George is scheduled to speak at two events Monday to honor and celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. King.

The first march takes place at 9 a.m. in LaPlace, proceeding up Belle Pointe Boulevard and down Airline Highway to the Percy Hebert Building, where a rally immediately follows the march.

The West Bank Civic Association is also holding its annual march and rally Monday, beginning at noon at Roland Borne Sr. Memorial Library in Edgard.

Following the march, George will also be featured as the guest speaker at the West Bank Community Center.

The theme of this year’s program is “Moving Forward While Accepting the Challenges with Pride and Dignity.”

Parish officials, school leaders and community organizers ask St. John Parish residents to join the marches in celebrating King’s legacy.