Rayne celebrates Dr. King ‘dream’ message
Two words –– Have and Dream –– were central to Carlos Prudhomme’s keynote speech during the city’s celebration of the life and legacy of civil rights advocate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Monday morning.
The Crowley native and Shreveport attorney said the word “Have” signified the “right now” moment Dr. King experienced as he addressed the crowd gathered at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. in 1963.
“We need to be sure we have a dream of peace and justice,” he said, stressing the dream should exist “in our thoughts, words and beliefs.”
Citing his own family, Prudhomme spoke of the need to empower young people with thoughts that uplift their sense of self-worth. “Words have power,” he said, adding people must live those words in their beliefs. “If we want peace, we must live it,” he said.
He urged his audience to not defer their dreams, but rather act on them, even to the point of running for elective office to change what he termed “the system.”
Mayor Charles “Chuck” Robichaux also touched on the theme contained in King’s address, noting the though civil rights leader died 48 years ago at the age of 39, his dream “still lives on. They did not kill his legacy, his thoughts or his spirt.”
The mayor also urged his audience “to instill that dream in the children.”
Councilwoman Curtrese Minix also added her comments regarding King’s impact on the nation.The mayor concluded by reading his proclamation dedicating Monday to the civic rights leader. The city wide celebration of King’s life began Monday morning at Depot Square where young people and various church group offered poems, speech excerpts and quotes reflecting on King’s life before marching to the Civic Center.
At the Civic Center, sponsors offered a health fair and voter registration and provided a multitude of door prizes.
During the program, co-sponsored by the The MLK Committee, NAUW and city of Rayne, four residents were awarded a special service award by NAUW for their contributions to the community. Honored were Byron Mouton, Patrick and Rebecca Miller, and Dorothy Cole.
NAUW also named South Rayne Elementary as its Adopt-A-School partner for the coming year.
Winners were also announced in peace poem, essay, poster and coloring contests sponsored by NAUW.
Overall winner of the essay contest at Rayne High was Whitley Larry. Other winners were Hannah Doucet, first; Tylen John Cannvex, third and Sean Theveret, honorable mention.
Overall winner in the peace poem contest was Kailey Holier of Armstrong Middle School.
Other winners by school were:
Branch Elementary: Abigail Savoy, first; Madeline Bullock, second; Jaylen Edwards, third; and Hannah Henderson, honorable mention.
Mire Elementary : Ali Delhoussaye, first; Spencer W. Carrier, Jr., second; Emma Lavergne, third; and Chelsey Arnaud, honorable mention.
Armstrong Middle: Kailey Holier, first; Simone Seeworakan, second; Emma Reynolds,third; and Rebecca Mitchel, honorable mention.
Overall winner in the poster contest was Harlee Doucet of Branch Elementary.
Other poster winners by school were:
South Rayne: Raelee Woods, first; Landon Benoit, second; Daxton Lanclos, third; and Quincy Alexander, honorable mention.
Mire Elementary: Sarah Henry, first; Hunter Daigle, second; Harley Rivette, third; and Carmind Thibodeaux, honorable mention.
Branch Elementary: Harlee Doucet, first, Annabeth Savoy, second; and Joseph Citizen, third.
Overall winner in the coloring contest was Ainsley Mire of Mire Elementary.
Other coloring contest winners by school were:
Head Start: Charlie Joe, first; Dalton Gullihan, second; Khaja Dugas, third; and Jah’leigha Wilridge, honorable mention.
Central Rayne Kindergarten: E’lise Hebert, first; Mallorie Comeaux, second; Mario Redondo, third; and Tara Lentini, honorable mention.
Rayne Catholic: Avari Simon, first and honorable mention; San Casanova, second;Maridith Richard, third.
Branch Elementary: Madison Meaux, first; Riley Fruge, second;Andrew Cope, third; and Kailyn Richard, honorable mention.
Mire Elementary: Ainsley Mire, first; Marcella Quibodeaux, second;Naaje Arsement, third; and Allie Mire, honorable mention.
Martin Petitjean Elementary: Faith Duplechain, first; Edy Ancelet, second; Tronea Woods, third; and Veonica Iza Guirre, honorable mention.
Bethany Foote provided several musical selections, while the students of P.J’s Dance School performed for the audience.
Nolton Senegal served as master of ceremonies.
A jamabalaya lunch was served to those attending Monday’s program.