At King Elementary School, honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is not a one-day lesson. It’s a reflection of who the school is and who its students are becoming.
As the School District of Lancaster’s namesake school for Dr. King, King Elementary marked his legacy with a schoolwide celebration that brought together students, staff, families, and community leaders in a powerful moment of unity. The school was filled with energy as students gathered in matching King shirts, took the stage to perform, and shared their voices in honor of a leader whose impact continues to guide generations.
“This is a big deal to us,” said Tabby Benitez, King ES Community School Director. “We’re celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. and his legacy as King Elementary. We’re keeping him alive here at King.”
The program centered students as active participants in the experience. Rather than simply learning about Dr. King, students engaged with his legacy through performance and shared reflection. Each moment was designed to help them understand that Dr. King’s work is not just history, but something that continues through their actions, voices, and dreams.
The celebration also welcomed community leaders and partners, including Representative Smith-Wade-El and members of the School District of Lancaster Board of School Directors. Their presence reinforced the importance of community partnership and demonstrated to students that their school is supported by people who believe in them and their future.
At the heart of the event was a message of pride and possibility. Tabby shared that her greatest hope was for students to leave feeling confident in who they are and where they come from. “I hope they take pride in their school and their community,” she said. “And I hope they know that because of those who came before them, they can do anything they want to do.”
That message echoed throughout the celebration. Students were encouraged to feel inspired, to stay curious, and to learn more about the leaders and movements that paved the way for opportunity and equity. It was a reminder that honoring Dr. King also means helping students see themselves as part of a larger story and as leaders in their own right.
At the School District of Lancaster, moments like this reflect our commitment to honoring history while empowering the next generation. At King Elementary School, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy is not confined to a single day. It lives on in the pride students feel for their school, the questions they are encouraged to ask, and the belief that their dreams matter.
At King, the dream lives on, carried forward every day through its students. For more photos, visit us on Facebook.
