Photos and article by Mary Alice Murphy

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The event has taken place over the past several years on or around Martin Luther King Jr. Day, thanks to the organization by people in the community. The sponsors this year were Concilio CDS, represented by Gloria Bradford, the Grant County Democratic Party, with Frances Vasquez, and Western New Mexico University, where it was held at Light Hall Theater.

Abe Villarreal, WNMU director of multi-cultural affairs, served as moderator.

Brewer Hill Baptist Church Pastor Waldo Winborn presented the opening prayer.

Villarreal said the event has grown every year. He introduced the former pastor of Brewer Hill Baptist Church, Earseye Ross, who was instrumental in getting the celebration started.

"We have begun a Black Students Union," Villarreal said. "We want to continue the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.

Bryant Chaffino led the Mariachi Plata group in a rendition of "We Shall Overcome" with words inserted between verses by Samuel Davenport, Black Students Union president.

Students from Calvary Christian Academy read diamante poems written in a diamond shape and addressing opposites.

The first poem was Equal and Unequal by Lexi Hooper and read by Sophia Vinson. The second poem, Courage and Fear, was written and read by Shyrea Ormand. Nathaniel Lucero read his poem, Within All. Tyler Collins read her poem, A Time to Come.

Villarreal showed a video excerpt from the final speech King gave the night before his death. It is known as the Mountaintop speech.

Angela Njoku performed her original A Hero's Tale. And Le'Ron Reed read a poem he had composed.

"Each year, we induct one or two people into the MLK Hall of Fame," Villarreal said. "This year, we have two recipients from Cobre School District. They are both teachers and coaches, Gary Garcia and Terrell Finney."

Garcia thanked God and his family. "My great-grandmother was brought to this country from Africa as a slave. She was sold to a man in Texas. They fell in love and she gave birth to my grandmother."

"I thank the committee for this honor," Garcia said. "As a single father with four kids, I wear many hats. Hopefully I can influence the young children of today. I thank those who believed in me in school. They saw my athletic ability and gave me opportunities. I played football at Western. My mentors kept pestering me to become better. Every day I strive to be better than I was yesterday. I want to influence students and athletes to follow their dreams."

Finney coaches golf, football and tennis. He was described as a generous man who loves his community.

"I thank my family and the committee," Finney said. "The first year I coached, Gary and I coached together. I grew up in the '60s. My mom and my grandma taught me MLK's story. I went to Booker T. Washington Elementary School, which was basically segregated. Then I was bused to Will Rogers Middle School, which was predominantly white. I learned to adjust. It was great to have good parents supporting me and a good grandma to help me. I keep striving to be good. You have to be a good person to do good."

Villarreal said usually WNMU Vice President Isaac Brundage was on hand for the celebration. "He sends his regards. He is being honored at another MLK event today in Florida."