By CALEB FREY

Staff Reporter

HAHNVILLE – It has been nearly 37 years since Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr’s untimely death, but Monday was not a day of mourning, it was instead one of reflection as the citizens of Hahnville took to the streets in honor of the great civil rights leader.

The Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Organization of St. Charles Parish held its annual Martin Luther King Jr. Pilgrimage March and Program with the march traveling from the Hale Boggs Bridge to the courthouse in Hahnville where all in attendance were treated to hot dogs, beverages and a series of speakers elaborating on the importance of remembering Dr. King and his accomplishments.

&#8220Dr. King is not a god, but he did big things as a leader,” said Grand Marshall Leo Augillard.

Augillard was pleased with the turnout for the march but wanted to stress that he would like to see more teachers and preachers in attendance in future years.

&#8220We need some preachers, and we need some teachers, and we need them here,” Augillard said. &#8220If each person here could bring another person next year, we could make this event that much better.”

Justice of the Peace Aleshia J. Smith acted as mistress of ceremony for the event and focused on the importance of understanding what Dr. King did for civil rights and equality and how we can spread his message daily.

&#8220We need to reflect on the reason for our gathering today,” Smith said. &#8220There is not a day in our lives that we don’t need to live his (Dr. King) words.”

After the singing of the National Anthem and the Black National Anthem, Dr. Tamanika Odinga presented the winners from the Share the Dream Essay Contest.

&#8220We had this essay contest so kids can reflect on Dr. King’s life, relate it to today and make predictions on what the future should be.” Odinga said.

The winners were separated into four categories with a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd prize going to winners from grades K-3, 4-6, 7-8, and 9-12.

In the K-3 category, third place went to Paige Winters from New Sarpy Elementary. Parker Peltier from Allemands Elementary took second place and first place went to Asiah Stevenson of Mimosa Park Elementary.

Winners in the 4-6 grade category were Sidemekia Brown from Lakewood Elementary who finished in third place. Hayley Roy from R.J. Vial Elemetary finished second and Grant Thibodeaux of R.J. Vial took first place.

Placing in the 7-8 grade category were Chantrell Davis of Albert Cammon Middle who finished third. Alexis Jefferson of Raymond K. Smith Middle finished in second while Martel Lee from Albert Cammon Middle took first place.

Only two winners were selected in the 9-12 grade category with Terrion Jones of Destrehan high finishing second and Reginald Lumar of Hahnville high finishing first.

Each child received a certificate and the first place winners in each category received a $100 U.S. savings bond and read their essays to the crowd.

These were not the only kids in attendance with an opinion about MLK day and its significance.

&#8220Because it’s important to keep Martin Luther King’s dream alive,” was the answer 11-year-old Delysa Pardo gave when asked why it’s important to observe MLK’s birthday.

17-year-old Hahnville native Racquel Nettles says attending the march is about showing respect.

&#8220Dr. King brought us this far and it’s still not necessarily equal, but he did help level the paying field,” Nettles said.

Andrinika Austin, 20, of Boutte, feels that the kids of her generation don’t appreciate what Dr. King has done for so many of them.

&#8220It’s important to keep his dream alive,” Austin said. &#8220If we don’t do it, who will?”

Guest Speaker Wendy J. Williams of Boutte focused on the choices that people make in their lives and how they affect their children and the people around them.

&#8220Dr. King’s life was an inspiration and his death a tragedy,” Williams said. &#8220He showed us that you always have a choice. You can either embrace knowledge and love or give into racism and hatred.”

St Charles Parish President Albert Laque was scheduled to attend but sickness prevented it, according to St. Charles Parish Public Information Officer Steve Sirmon.

As the ceremony drew to an end, regardless of everybody’s race or creed, each member of the audience joined hands to sing the closing song &#8220We Shall Overcome.”

As everyone sang and swayed in unison with hands clenched to one another the spirit of Martin Luther King’s message of peace and equality for all was truly captured.