In honor of Martin Luther King Jr., State Senator Perkins and Assemblymen O’Donnell empowered an auditorium filled with District 3 Magnet students to stand up and achieve their dreams. Perkins beckoned the Magnet scholars to “have a voice in their community in order to make a change” encouraging students to take part in the democratic process. Assembly member O’Donnell, connecting with the young audience, explaining on a personal note that “dreams can come true---even for ordinary, everyday people” like himself.
King’s legacy of equality, inspiration and opportunity also rang powerfully in the words and voices of the nine Magnet School students who were being honored for their outstanding speeches on “How their Magnet School Helps Them Achieve Their Dreams.”
- Astride Zoungrana states “this year in Young Diplomats Magnet Academy I want to be remembered as the girl who had a great and powerful dream: a dream to make good decisions, to take actions, and to walk in peace.”
- Tyzahana Hicks, of PS 87 states “because of Dr. King and his dream of diversity, I am able to go to public schools that have students with different races, behaviors, and characteristics. Because of my school…I can use what I have learned to achieve my dream and become a famous actress and a better person.”
- Tyler Jackson, of PS 191 The Museum Magnet School says his school helps “me because of its partnerships. Through New-York Historical Society I learn how to observe and interpret. I will use these skills as a leader promoting and working for world peace.”
- Johnny Sheppard and Deja Williams of PS 208 Alain L Locke Magnet School for Environmental Stewardship in moving verses express “our dream is for a caring world. People should stop judging each other. People should stop bullying. People should use less fuel. …People should stop violence. People should care about recycling. People should care about the earth…People should care about education. People should care about each other.
All students were congratulated by Dorita Gibson, Deputy Chancellor for Equity and Access and received an award from Esther Friedman, Superintendent of Community School District 3. Students were called to action by Noah Gottbaum, member of the District 3 Community Education Council to “Be the dream, become the change you wish to see in the world!”
This program was a celebration of District 3’s commitment to diversity, the importance of school choice and to the power of the student voice. Director of the District 3 Magnet Schools Lainie Leber explained, “The roots of Magnet Schools are firmly planted in the struggles of the Civil Rights movement providing choice and educational opportunities for all. Magnet Schools are public schools that have a specialized thematic curriculum intended to draw a diverse student body from the entire district.”
This event also celebrated District 3 as the recipient of an 11.3 million dollar Magnet Schools Assistance Program grant from the Office of Civil Rights and the US Department of Education to develop 8 Magnet schools in the district. Councilwoman Gale Brewer conveyed her support for Magnet explaining it benefits schools, “especially in the areas of technology and the acquisition of 21st century skills.” She furthered how the grant not only “provides money to purchase equipment and resources, but how its themed education teaches students to integrate technology into their lives as a tool to help them face 21st century challenges.”
District 3 Magnet Schools are: PS 145 The Magnet School for Technology and Communication; PS 185 Early Childhood Discovery Design Magnet School; PS 191 The Museum Magnet School; PS 208 The Magnet School for Environmental Stewardship; PS 241 The STEM Institute of Manhattan; PS 242 Young Diplomats Academy; PS 87 & MS 421 West Prep Academy.
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