PROVIDENCE — This past fall, the St. Patrick Academy student council began a video project in which each one of the 115 students, faculty and staff were asked to make a self-video reciting one line from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s “I Have A Dream” speech. Kara Akey, council advisor, and Emily Cuellar, campus minister, assisted in editing each video together to create a seamless recitation of Dr. King’s iconic words.
On January 18, 2021, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the student council posted the completed video on YouTube.
“The student council offers this project as a commemoration of Dr. King's life as a man of profound faith and of his tireless work towards achieving the equal treatment and equal rights of all people in our nation,” said Principal Bruce Daigle. “We hope our rendition of this famous speech moves you as much as his words moved us.”
Linda A'Vant-Deishinni, coordinator of the Office of Black Catholic Ministry for the Diocese of Providence, shared her admiration for the St. Patrick Academy community for dedicating their time and talents to this project.
“I am so proud of our students, teachers and administrators at St. Patrick's Academy,” said A'Vant-Deishinni. “This is not only timely, but continues the work and legacy of Dr. King. Thank you for sharing these messages and I hope we can continue to share this video throughout the state.”
The video showcases the diversity and sincerity of the school community as they all reflect on August 28, 1963, the day Dr. King took to the grounds of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., to let the world know of his dream.
“Today, 58 years later, his words still hold profound meaning. We at St. Patrick Academy believe it’s time to come together as a community to share his message with the world once again because we, too, have a dream.”
Watch the video below!
