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"A Day On ... Not a Day Off" Thomkins Middle School - January 12, 2007 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration
The Institute for Global Enterprise in Indiana was proud to receive the invitation from Thomkins Middle School to participate in this important program and to connect with the youth of our community.
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In the spirit of cross-cultural unity, students at Thomkins Middle School came together to celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The event was organized by Mrs. Adrienne Robinson, Principal Yunker, Sheila Bender, Tim Jones, Pat Ingram, and Keith Gambill. The assembly paid tribute to Dr. King through song, speeches, and a slideshow presentation filled with quotes from Thomkins students. The Senior Associate Director of the Institute for Global Enterprise in Indiana, Ms. LaShone M. Gibson, was invited to give the keynote address under the program’s theme of “A Day On – Not a Day Off.” 
Prior to Ms. Gibson’s keynote, Kaymi Butler delivered a spectacular address to the assembly attendees. Ms. Butler is a sixth-grader at Thomkins Middle School and an award-winning speech and debate champion. Ms. Butler shared her perspective of the struggles faced by Dr. King as he led the nation through the Civil Rights Movement. She also discussed the impact of Dr. King within her life and the opportunities she has because of his determination and strength. Ms. Butler is an accomplished orator with a bright future, all of which was evident as she received resounding applause from the audience.
Ms. Gibson spoke of Dr. King’s legacy and its continued presence in the world today. She highlighted the importance of young people actively participating in the communities in which they live and to take pride in the fact they can be self-motivated toward something beyond instant gratification. Ms. Gibson encouraged the students to reach across any cultural or social barriers and connect with other youth to coordinate projects of servant leadership. She emphasized that the size of the project was unimportant; it was the size of their effort that mattered the most. Ms. Gibson referenced Dr. King as she closed her speech by stating: “Anyone can be great because anyone can serve. All you need is the will and a heart full of grace … and Thomkins Middle School students have that and more.”