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WELCOME TO THE THIRTY FIFTH ANNUAL MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.
AND AS PRESIDENT OF THE PLANO ISD BOARD OF TRUSTEES, IT'S MY HONOR ON BEHALF OF MY FELLOW TRUSTEES TO INVITE YOU TO ENJOY THIS VERY SPECIAL CELEBRATION OF PLANO'S DIVERSE COMMUNITY AND THE LEGACY OF DR.
I AM ESPECIALLY PROUD OF HOW THIS ANNUAL EVENT, NO MATTER HOW WE CELEBRATE IT, HIGHLIGHTS OUR TALENTED AND PASSIONATE PLANO ISD STUDENTS.
I WANT TO THANK ALL OF THE STUDENTS, TEACHERS AND STAFF WHO HELPED US CREATE THIS AMAZING TRIBUTE. PLEASE JOIN ME IN APPLAUDING THOSE TALENTED STUDENTS AND TEACHERS WHO HAVE PARTICIPATED IN MANY WAYS, BOTH BEHIND THE SCENES AND UP FRONT, WHETHER BY ENTERING OUR WRITING OR ART CONTESTS, PERFORMING A TALENT OR HELPING TO PRODUCE AND EDIT A PORTION OF OUR VIDEOS.
AS WE CELEBRATE THE INSPIRATIONAL LEADERSHIP OF DR.
KING, WE CAN'T FORGET TO MENTION OUR DISTRICT AND COMMUNITY LEADERS.
I AM HONORED TO INTRODUCE MY FELLOW SCHOOL BOARD TRUSTEES.
THEY ARE VICE PRESIDENT NANCY HUMPHREY, SECRETARY JERI CHAMBERS, TRUSTEE DR.
LAUREN TYRA, TRUSTEE ANGELA POWELL, TRUSTEE DR.
HEATHER WANG AND TRUSTEE CODY WEAVER.
ALSO, THANK YOU TO OUR FRIENDS FROM THE CITY OF PLANO, WHO ARE A GREAT SUPPORT TO PLANO ISD. PLANO ISD IS FORTUNATE TO HAVE OUTSTANDING DISTRICT LEADERSHIP UNDER THE DIRECTION OF SUPERINTENDENT SARA BONSER.
THERESA WILLIAMS, CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER.
JONATHAN HILL, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER.
DR. KATRINA HASLEY, ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT FOR ACADEMIC SERVICES.
DR. COURTNEY GOBER, ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT FOR STUDENT, FAMILY AND COMMUNITY SERVICES.
DR. SELENDA ANDERSON, ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT FOR STUDENT ENGAGEMENT AND DISTRICT SERVICES. DR.
BETH BROCKMAN, ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT FOR EMPLOYEE SERVICES.
PATRICK TANNER, ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT FOR TECHNOLOGY SERVICES.
DR. DASH WEERASINGHE, SENIOR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR ASSESSMENT, RESEARCH AND PROGRAM EVALUATION. AND LESLEY RANGE-STANTON, SENIOR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR COMMUNICATIONS.
I WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE ANOTHER GROUP WHO ARE ALSO INSTRUMENTAL IN THE SUCCESS OF PLANO ISD STUDENTS, STAFF AND FAMILIES.
THANK YOU TO PLANO ISD COUNCIL OF PTAS LED BY PRESIDENT TARA LANCE, AS WELL AS ALL OTHER MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL WHO VOLUNTEER AND WORK TIRELESSLY TO MAKE OUR SCHOOLS A BETTER PLACE FOR OUR STUDENTS.
THIS EVENT WOULDN'T BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT THE WORK OF THE PLANO ISD MLK PLANNING COMMITTEE.
I KNOW IT'S A TIME OF PIVOT AND CHANGE, AND YOU ARE ALWAYS ADAPTING TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS IS, WITHOUT EXCEPTION, A MOST SPECIAL CELEBRATION.
LAST BUT CERTAINLY NOT LEAST, I HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF SALUTING THE PERSON WHO STARTED THIS EVENT. THIRTY FIVE YEARS AGO, THE PLANO ISD MLK EVENT CHAIRPERSON EMERITUS DR.
A SPECIAL PART OF THIS CELEBRATORY EVENT INCLUDES OUR ELEMENTARY WRITING CONTEST WINNERS, ALONG WITH VIDEOS SHOWCASING THEIR WORK WRITTEN FROM THEIR PERSPECTIVE ON WHAT IT MEANS TO HONOR THE PAST.
INSPIRE THE PRESENT AND CHANGE THE FUTURE.
THESE 10 COMPOSITIONS FROM FIRST THROUGH FIFTH GRADE STUDENTS WERE CHOSEN BY A PANEL OF JUDGES AS THE TOP WRITINGS OUT OF HUNDREDS OF ENTRIES.
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF OUR FINALISTS AND TOP TWO WINNERS.
I CANNOT WAIT TO HEAR WHAT YOU HAVE WRITTEN.
ADDITIONALLY, EACH YEAR, STUDENTS FROM ALL GRADE LEVELS PARTICIPATE IN THE ANNUAL MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.
FINALISTS ARE CHOSEN FROM FOUR CATEGORIES DIVIDED BY GRADE AND ARE RECOGNIZED WITH A CERTIFICATE AND A MONETARY AWARD.
WE WERE FORTUNATE TO HAVE A FANTASTIC GROUP OF JUDGES THIS YEAR WHO WERE INCREDIBLY THOUGHTFUL IN THEIR DELIBERATIONS.
THEY INCLUDED PLANO ISD DIRECTOR OF FINE ARTS KATHY KUDDES, PLANO ISD SCHOOL BOARD SECRETARY, JERI CHAMBERS, ART CENTER OF PLANO, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SUZY SLOAN JONES AND PLANO ISD SENIOR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS LESLEY RANGE-STANTON.
THANK YOU TO EACH OF YOU FOR MAKING WHAT I CAN ONLY ASSUME WAS A VERY TOUGH DECISION.
I WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND AN EXTRA SPECIAL THANK YOU TO THE PLANO ISD EDUCATION FOUNDATION
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FOR SPONSORING THIS YEAR'S ART CONTEST.FINALLY, THANK YOU TO PLANO ISD VISUAL ARTS COORDINATOR LAURA GRUNDLER AND ALL OF OUR ART TEACHERS WHO MAKE THIS MEANINGFUL CONTEST HAPPEN EACH YEAR.
PLEASE JOIN ME IN A VIRTUAL ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR THESE OUTSTANDING STUDENT ARTISTS.
AND I INVITE YOU TO ENJOY THEIR BEAUTIFUL AND MEANINGFUL WORKS OF ART ON DISPLAY IN THE UPCOMING VIDEO ON OUR DISTRICT WEBSITE AND AT THE PLANO ISD ADMINISTRATION BUILDING THROUGH THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY.
THANK YOU, STUDENTS, AND THANK YOU AGAIN TO THE PLANO EDUCATION FOUNDATION.
NOT ONLY IS THIS A SPECIAL TIME SET ASIDE TO HONOR THE LIFE AND TEACHINGS OF DR.
KING, BUT WE ALSO CELEBRATE WHO WE ARE AS INDIVIDUALS AND HOW EACH UNIQUE PERSON IN THIS COMMUNITY IS A PART OF THE RICH TAPESTRY OF CULTURE THAT MAKES PLANO ISD THE DIVERSE DISTRICT WE ENJOY TODAY.
SO AS WE ARE HERE TO CELEBRATE OUR STUDENTS, STAFF AND COMMUNITY, LET US HONOR THE PAST, INSPIRE THE PRESENT AND CHANGE THE FUTURE.
TOGETHER, WE HONOR THE PAST, INSPIRE THE PRESENT AND CHANGED THE FUTURE BY A ANANYA SANKAR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.
HE SAYS HIS FAMOUS I HAVE A DREAM SPEECH FROM A DREAM OF A LITTLE BOY.
LITTLE DID HE KNOW THAT THAT DREAM BECAME HISTORY.
FOR THAT LITTLE BOYS, DREAM WAS EQUALITY.
I KNOW MARTIN LUTHER KING JUNIOR WANTS US TO REMEMBER THAT COLOR DOES NOT MATTER.
MARTIN LUTHER KING JUNIOR WANTS US TO BE HAPPY AND LIVE IN PERFECT HARMONY.
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WE HONOR THE PAST.WE ARE ALL FINALLY TOGETHER FROM EVERY COLOR.
THEY WANT SEGREGATION TO HAPPEN ALL OVER, BUT WE WILL CONTINUE TO FIGHT FOR FREEDOM.
HAND IN HAND, BLACK OR WHITE MARCHING LIKE A BAND.
I KNOW ONE DAY IT WILL ALL FINALLY END AND WE WILL ALL BE FRIENDS.
EVERYBODY'S TOGETHER FROM EVERY COLOR.
THIS WOULD HAVE NEVER HAPPENED IF IT WASN'T FOR MARTIN LUTHER KING JR., FOR HE IS THE ONE WHO DID THIS SHAPING THE WORLD INTO ONE.
FREE AT LAST THANK GOD ALMIGHTY WE ARE FREE AT LAST . I STILL HAVE A DREAM.
IT IS A DREAM DEEPLY ROOTED IN THE AMERICAN DREAM.
I HAVE A DREAM THAT ONE DAY THIS NATION WILL RISE UP.
LIVE OUT THE TRUE MEANING OF ITS CREED, WE HOLD THESE TRUTHS TO BE SELF-EVIDENT, THAT ALL MEN ARE CREATED EQUAL.
AND WHEN WE RETURNED TO THE BUSSES THERE WAS THERE WAS NO MORE RACIAL SEGREGATION BECAUSE THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT RULED THAT SEGREGATION IN TRANSPORTATION WAS UNCONSTITUTIONAL. SO I'M VERY HAPPY TO BE HERE IN YOUR MIDST TODAY TO LET YOU KNOW THAT WE ARE ALL FREE PEOPLE AND WE DO NOT HAVE TO TAKE THAT KIND OF TREATMENT.
WAS AN AFRICAN AMERICAN MAN WHO WAS AN AMERICAN BAPTIST MINISTER AND LEADER IN THE AMERICAN CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT.
GAVE A FAMOUS SPEECH AND I HAVE A DREAM IN 1963, WHICH WAS FIFTY NINE YEARS AGO.
HE INSPIRED ME THAT NO MATTER WHAT NEVER GIVE UP.
PEOPLE WANTED TO HONOR HIM, SO THEY MADE A HOLIDAY JUST FOR HIM BECAUSE HE HELPED AFRICAN-AMERICANS HAVE EQUAL RIGHTS AS AMERICANS AND BECAUSE HE WANTED PEOPLE TO HAVE FREEDOM. HE CREATED A HAPPY, PEACEFUL FUTURE FOR US.
HE GAVE US A WORLD WITH ALL COLORS, RACES AND RELIGIONS.
DID NOT HELP AND FIGHT FOR EQUAL RIGHTS FOR AFRICAN-AMERICANS, WE WOULD STILL BE SEPARATED AND JUDGED BY OUR RACE, CULTURE OR COLOR.
I WOULD CREATE MY FUTURE BY HELPING OTHERS IN MY COMMUNITY, INSPIRING OTHERS, BEING KIND AND RESPONSIBLE, AND FINALLY BEING RESPECTFUL.
WE ARE ALL UNIQUE AND HAVE FREEDOM.
ALTHOUGH MY SKIN COLOR IS DIFFERENT, I AM STILL THE SAME AND UNIQUE AS OTHERS.
MY FRIENDS ARE DIFFERENT, BUT THEY ARE STILL THE SAME BECAUSE THEY ARE STILL THE SAME PEOPLE AND FRIENDS.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.
THANK YOU. SINCERELY, ISABELLA ZHOU.
TOGETHER, WE HONOR THE PAST INSPIRED THE PRESENT AND CHANGE THE FUTURE WHEN WE RESPECT AND LOVE EACH OTHER.
WE CAN ALL BE TOGETHER BY BEING TOGETHER, WE CAN HONOR THE LEADERS WHO FOUGHT FOR CIVIL RIGHTS.
KING FOUGHT FOR EQUAL RIGHTS FOR PEOPLE OF ALL COLORS.
NOW WE CAN PLAY TOGETHER NO MATTER YOUR COLOR OR GENDER, AND WIN GAMES FOR THE TEAM ON COUNTRY LIKE SIMONE BILES ON HER GYMNASTIC TEAM WE MAKE SCIENTIFIC BREAKTHROUGHS TOGETHER, LIKE ANGELA HWANG ON THE PFIZER TEAM.
WE CAN MAKE MATH DISCOVERIES LIKE SRINIVASA RAMANUJAN.
WE COULD BRING NEW MUSIC LIKE QUEENS OR THE [INAUDIBLE].
GO TO SCHOOL ON THE SAME BUS AND MAKE NEW FRIENDS, SHOW UP TOGETHER AND CHAT.
PARTY TOGETHER AND HAVE MORE FUN.
WE CAN EVEN LEAD THE COUNTRY LIKE OUR PRESIDENT BIDEN AND VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS.
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I MAKE YOU BETTER LAWS THAT PROMOTE MORE EQUALITY LIKE THE MEMBERS OF OUR CONGRESS.[INAUDIBLE] HAPPENINGS INSPIRE THROUGH EVEN MORE AND CHANGE THE FUTURE BY WORKING TOGETHER TO THE NEW TECH TO REDUCE POLLUTION AROUND THE WORLD AND CREATE MORE EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES ACROSS THE FIELD.
I'M INDRA SRIRAM, CENTENNIAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.
IS THE PAST REALLY CONNECTED TO OUR PRESENT? DOES THE PAST REALLY SHAPE OUR FUTURE? YES, IT DOES.
THE PAST HAS A PURPOSE AND WE SHOULD HONOR IT FOR HOW IT EQUIPS US TO BE BETTER.
THE CAVEAT IS WE MUST PAY ATTENTION AND WE MUST CARE ABOUT MORE THAN JUST OURSELVES.
AND HIS SUPPORTERS WORKED TIRELESSLY TO TRANSFORM LIFE FOR THEMSELVES, THEIR COMMUNITIES, OUR NATION AND THE WORLD.
DR. KING IS SAID TO HAVE REGULARLY ASKED THESE QUESTIONS WHERE ARE WE? WHO ARE WE? WHO ARE WE MEANT TO BE? PERHAPS THE MORE IMPORTANT QUESTION IS, WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE? CHAOS OR COMMUNITY, WHICH HAPPENS TO BE THE TITLE OF THE LAST BOOK WRITTEN BY DR.
KING, AS IT IS WITH MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE POSITIVELY SHAPED TODAY'S WORLD.
DR. KING IS SUCH A RECOGNIZED AND INFLUENTIAL PART OF AMERICAN HISTORY.
ONE OF THE WAYS WE HONOR THE PAST IS TO LEARN FROM PEOPLE LIKE DR.
KING, WHO HAVE UNSELFISHLY CONTRIBUTED THEIR TIME AND RESOURCES FOR THE GREATER GOOD.
SOME OF THESE PEOPLE ARE ICONS THAT WE HEAR ABOUT AND READ ABOUT, BUT HAVE NEVER MET.
OTHERS LIVE AMONG US, LIKE DR.
MYRTLE HIGHTOWER, AN AMAZING PILLAR OF OUR COMMUNITY WHO HAS COMMITTED HER LIFE TO IMPROVING THE LIVES OF OTHERS.
DR. HIGHTOWER HAS FOLLOWED IN DR.
KING'S FOOTSTEPS BY SPEARHEADING MANY COMMUNITY INITIATIVES THAT CELEBRATE HIS LEGACY THROUGH THE PROMOTION OF EQUALITY, PROGRESS AND EDUCATION.
DR. HIGHTOWER HAS HONORED THE PAST BY LEARNING LESSONS AND SEIZING OPPORTUNITIES TO MAKE LIFE BETTER FOR US ALL.
EACH OF US CAN HONOR THE PAST BY DOING THE SAME.
EACH OF US SHOULD FOLLOW IN HER FOOTSTEPS AND DETERMINE WHAT WE CAN DO TO HONOR THE PAST IN A WAY THAT ENHANCES A SENSE OF COMMUNITY FOR ALL PEOPLE.
WE SHOULD WORK TO BUILD A WORLD THAT IS WELCOMING AND FAIR, A WORLD THAT MAKES SPACE FOR HONEST, RESPECTFUL CONVERSATION, ONE WHERE SUCCESS IS A POSSIBILITY FOR ALL.
IT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO OURSELVES, OUR FAMILIES AND OUR COMMUNITIES TO PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT HAS HAPPENED IN OUR SOCIETY.
IN ALL THE DAYS THAT HAVE BROUGHT US TO OUR PRESENT.
HONORING THE PAST IS ABOUT HONESTLY EVALUATING WHAT HAS WORKED WELL FOR US IN THE PAST AND WHAT CHANGES NEED TO BE MADE TO IMPROVE THE FUTURE.
WHEN WE LOOK BACK OVER THE HISTORY OF AMERICA, WE FIND A RICH TAPESTRY OF EVENTS THAT HAVE CREATED OPPORTUNITIES FOR US TO BUILD PATHS FORWARD.
WE MUST RESIST THE URGE TO MEASURE YESTERDAY'S DECISIONS BY TODAY'S STANDARDS.
OUR SOCIETY HAS ALWAYS BEEN IN A STATE OF CHANGE, AND THIS IS LIKELY TO ALWAYS BE THE CASE. EACH DAY, EACH YEAR, EACH DECADE SERVES AS A BUILDING BLOCK TO OUR FUTURE.
WHAT WE LEARN AND HOW WE APPLY THESE LESSONS LEARNED CONTINUALLY SHAPES OUR LIVES AS INDIVIDUALS, WE EACH MAKE DECISIONS AND THERE IS NO WAY TO ESCAPE THE FACT THAT THESE DECISIONS ULTIMATELY AFFECT US.
ALL THE WORLD WE LIVE IN TODAY IS ONE THAT WE'VE BUILT TOGETHER.
WE MUST TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THAT, WHICH MAKES US PROUD, AS WELL AS THAT WHICH CAUSES US FEAR, SHAME AND FRUSTRATION.
LIFE IS A SERIES OF DECISIONS, AND WE NEED ONLY TAKE A LOOK BACK THROUGH OUR HISTORY TO CONSIDER WHAT ACTIONS SHOULD BE REPEATED AND WHERE WE MUST WORK TOGETHER TO GENERATE NEW IDEAS THAT ARE A BETTER FIT FOR TODAY'S RAPIDLY CHANGING, RICHLY DIVERSE, HIGHLY DIGITIZED ENVIRONMENT.
THE PAST IS A TEACHER THAT INSTRUCTS AND EQUIPS US TO BE BETTER IF DOING BETTER IS WHAT WE CHOOSE TO DO.
THE PAST HELPS US TO UNDERSTAND WHAT MAKES RELATIONSHIPS FLOURISH AND WHAT TEARS THEM DOWN. THE PAST REVEALS CHALLENGES WE MUST BE AWARE OF AS WE NAVIGATE LIFE AT HOME, AT WORK AND THROUGHOUT OUR COMMUNITIES.
THE PAST IS AN IMPORTANT COMPONENT OF OUR FUTURE.
WE HONOR THE PAST BY LEARNING FROM IT AND SPARING OURSELVES FROM UNNECESSARY MISTAKES.
WE SHOULD BE THANKFUL FOR LESSONS THE PAST CONTINUES TO TEACH US.
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THE PAST ALLOWS US TO BE MORE INTENTIONAL ABOUT KNOWING WHERE WE'VE BEEN AND ABOUT DECIDING WHERE WE'RE GOING.THE QUESTION FOR EACH OF US TODAY IS HOW AM I DOING MY PART TO MAKE THE FUTURE BETTER THAN THE PAST? AND I'LL END BY ASKING EACH OF US TO THINK ABOUT THIS.
WHAT IF THE MOST IMPACTFUL THING STANDING BETWEEN ME AND MY BEST LIFE? OUR BEST LIFE IS EACH CHOICE I MAKE.
THE BEST WAY TO HONOR THE PAST IS TO TAKE THE BEST AND MAKE IT EVEN BETTER, NOT JUST FOR SOME, BUT FOR ALL.
MYRTLE HIGHTOWER AND SO MANY OTHERS HAVE DONE, WE HONOR THE PAST BY STUDYING IT AND USING LESSONS LEARNED TO POSITIVELY SHAPE OUR FUTURE.
FREE AT LAST, FREE AT LAST, THANK GOD ALMIGHTY, WE ARE FREE AT LAST.
THE PLANO COMMUNITY FORUM ALWAYS DID MARTIN LUTHER KING, SO CELEBRATION, WE DID HONOR TO HIM AND IN THAT HONOR, I TOOK THE SUNDAY NIGHT PROGRAM.
AND ONE TIME I HAD THAT FAMOUS HAMILTON PARK COURSE IN THE WILLIAMS AUDITORIUM. AND WHEN I TEASINGLY TOLD HIM THAT IT WOULD BE A PACKED AUDIENCE AND YOU CANNOT SEE IT, YOU MUST STAND.
SO 50 MEN ON ONE SIDE AND 50 ON THE OTHER, THEY HAD JUST REPRESENTED THE UNITED STATES IN EUROPE JUST PRIOR TO THAT.
THEY'RE COMING. SO I GRABBED THEM AND BROUGHT THEM IN FOR MARTIN LUTHER KING PROGRAM CELEBRATION.
FOLLOWING WHAT WE WERE DOING WITH THE PLANO COMMUNITY FORUM.
WITH THAT THE SUPERINTENDENT, I THINK IT WAS DR.
[INAUDIBLE] , AND I KNOW IT WAS SAID THIS MUST NOT BE JUST FOR YOU AND WE ARE GOING TO TAKE THIS ACROSS PLANO.
AND THAT WAS THE BIRTH, I SAY OF THE ENTIRE PLANO ISD PROGRAM.
LET US CHERISH OUR DAYS TOGETHER, LEARNING FROM OUR DEEDS.
HELP US GROW, INDEED INSPIRE US TO RISE AND PROCEED.
IDEAS AND BELIEFS HELD BY PREVIOUS GENERATION ENABLES US TO DEVELOP A MUCH GREATER APPRECIATION. LEGACY IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF AN ONGOING FOUNDATION.
SO LEAD THE SACRIFICE OF OUR ANCESTORS CELEBRATE THE LIFE TODAY WITH TREASURES, ACCELERATE THE UNIVERSE OF OUR SUCCESSORS.
YESTERDAY IS THE UTILITY TO MAKE MORE SENSE WITH EXPERIENCE.
TODAY IS THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO THE BEST WITH PERSEVERANCE.
TOMORROW IS THE POSSIBILITY TO CHANGE THE WORLD WITH EXCELLENCE.
LET US HONOR THE PAST WITH DIGNITY.
LET US LIVE TODAY WITH INTEGRITY.
LET US CREATE A FUTURE FULL OF PROSPERITY.
I'M DIYA BAROT CENTENNIAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.
I HONOR MY PARENTS, MY COUNTRY AND THOSE WHO'VE COME BEFORE.
BATTLES WON, LIVES LOST, YET WE SHALL OVERCOME.
I STAND IN THE PRESENT UNAFRAID TO BE THE CHANGE A BLOOMING TREE WITH FRESH FRUITS UNITED AND UNRESTRAINED.
I DON'T THINK WE HAVE ENOUGH LAND HERE TO FOR PARENTS TO COME IN BECAUSE THIS IS A PLACE THEY WANT TO BE. DESPITE OF ALL OTHERS, THEY WANT TO BE IN PLANO.
SO I ENJOY THE PLANO SCHOOL SYSTEM.
I ENJOY THE WORK THAT IT'S DOING AND I ENJOY THE PROGRAMMATIC THRUST, ESPECIALLY THE DIVERSITY PROGRAM.
THAT IS, AS WE KNOW, IT IS NEEDED.
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AND OUR STUDENTS NEED IT.THEY'RE GOING OUT INTO THE WORLD AND THEY'RE GOING TO NEED TO KNOW.
FREE AT LAST, FREE AT LAST, THANK GOD ALMIGHTY, WE ARE FREE AT LAST.
TOGETHER, WE HONOR THE PAST BY PRAYING FOR THE PEOPLE THAT DIED AND FOR HONORING THE PEOPLE THAT GAVE THEIR LIVES TO OTHER PEOPLE BY SAVING THEM, LIKE IN EMERGENCIES.
TOGETHER, WE CAN INSPIRE PEOPLE AND THE PRESENT BY HELPING THEM IF THEY'RE HURT.
WE CAN BE INSPIRING IN THE PRESENT BY MAKING NEW FRIENDS AND GIVING THEM COURAGE SO THEY AREN'T SAD AND SCARED TO JOIN A CLUB OR A NEW SCHOOL THEY HAVE NOT EVER BEEN AT BEFORE.
WE CAN BE INSPIRED IN THE FUTURE BY MAKING BETTER CHOICES AND CHOOSING THE CORRECT DECISIONS TO MAKE.
ANOTHER THING YOU CAN BE INSPIRING IN THE FUTURE IS TO MAKE EASIER THINGS TO DO.
OR YOU CAN MAKE THE WORLD CHANGE BY MAKING THE WORLD EXTRA SAFE, LIKE NOT SPREADING SICKNESSES AROUND THE WORLD.
I AM GAVIN CAMARENA AT BOGGESS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.
HOW CAN IT MAKE MY FUTURE AND THE FUTURE OF OUR WORLD BETTER? I CAN GIVE MONEY FOR PEOPLE WHO DO NOT HAVE MONEY TO BUY, FOOD TO SURVIVE AND IF THEY HAVE KIDS, I CAN ALSO GIVE THEIR KIDS THEIR FAVORITE TOYS SO THEY CAN PLAY WITH THEM.
I'M SUDIKSHA AVIRNENI AT ANDREWS ELEMENTARY . WELCOME TO THE 2022 PLANO ISD DIVERSITY LEADERSHIP AWARDS.
I AM PRISCILLA BROWN, CO-CHAIR OF THE 2021-2022 PLANO ISD DIVERSITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE, AND I'M HONORED TO SERVE AS YOUR HOST AS WE RECOGNIZE THIS YEAR'S OUTSTANDING NOMINEES AND AWARD WINNERS EACH YEAR, THIS AWARD PROGRAM HONORS THE GREAT LEADER, DR.
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR., BY RECOGNIZING INSPIRING LEADERS RIGHT HERE IN OUR OWN COMMUNITY.
THIS AWARD IS COORDINATED ANNUALLY BY THE PLANO ISD DIVERSITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO RECOGNIZE COMMUNITY MEMBERS, STAFF AND STUDENTS WHO HAVE SHOWN LEADERSHIP AND COMMITMENT IN FOSTERING AND PROMOTING HARMONY, RESPECT, ACCEPTANCE AND UNDERSTANDING AMONG THE BEAUTIFULLY DIVERSE CULTURES WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY.
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US VIRTUALLY FOR THIS YEAR'S PRESENTATION.
WHILE WE CANNOT PHYSICALLY BE TOGETHER AGAIN THIS YEAR, WE WILL ALWAYS FIND WAYS TO CELEBRATE OUR COMMUNITY TOGETHER.
ALL OF OUR NOMINEES ARE INVALUABLE ASSETS TO PLANO, NOT ONLY FOR PROMOTING AND EMBRACING DIVERSITY, BUT FOR THEIR EFFORTS TO EDUCATE OTHERS.
EACH HAS SPEARHEADED A PROGRAM OR INITIATIVE THAT HAS PROVEN TO PROMOTE DIVERSITY THROUGH STRONGER RELATIONSHIPS, IMPROVED COMMUNICATION AND ENHANCED UNDERSTANDING WITHIN PLANO ISD AND THE BROADER COMMUNITY WITHIN THE PAST YEAR.
KING, WE ARE REMINDED OF HIS CALL TO SERVICE, SAYING THAT LIFE'S MOST PERSISTENT AND URGENT QUESTION IS WHAT ARE YOU DOING FOR OTHERS? THOSE BEING HONORED TODAY, WITHOUT A DOUBT, HAVE ANSWERED THAT CALL.
OUR 2022 COMMUNITY DIVERSITY LEADERSHIP AWARD NOMINEES ARE ZARA JONES, PAYAM MAVEDDAT, AND NADINE ROBERTS.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THIS OUTSTANDING, STEADFAST AND SELFLESS AWARD WINNER, MR. PAYAM MAVEDDAT HAS LIVED IN PLANO NEARLY 30 YEARS, DEDICATING MUCH TIME AND EFFORT TO PROMOTING THE ONENESS OF HUMANITY AND ELIMINATING ALL FORMS OF PREJUDICE.
IN PURSUIT OF THESE GOALS, HE HAS ASSISTED FELLOW PLANOITS BY SUPPORTING EDUCATIONAL ENDEAVORS FOR FAMILIES, PROMOTING UNITY AMONG LOCAL RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS, FOSTERING IMPROVED RACE RELATIONS AND ADVOCATING FOR GENDER EQUALITY.
ONE OF THE MANY INITIATIVES THAT PAYAM BEGAN WAS A YOUTH PROGRAM FOR THE DOUGLAS COMMUNITY IN PLANO TO PROMOTE OPPORTUNITIES FOR AT RISK MALES AGES 16 AND OLDER.
PAYAM ALSO PRESENTED SOCIAL JUSTICE AND RACIAL UNITY SEMINARS FOR YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS IN THE PLANO COMMUNITY.
OVER THE YEARS, PAYAM HAS REACHED OUT TO INDIVIDUALS AND NUMEROUS ORGANIZATIONS IN PLANO,
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INCLUDING THE CITY COUNCIL AND STATE LEGISLATORS, IN HOPES OF WORKING COLLABORATIVELY TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL.THANK YOU, PAYAM FOR BEING A CONTRIBUTOR TO THE BETTERMENT OF HUMANITY.
YOU PROMOTE HARMONY, RESPECT, UNDERSTANDING AND ACCEPTANCE AMONG OUR DIVERSE PLANO COMMUNITIES. THE NEXT GROUP REPRESENTS THIS YEAR'S DISTRICT STAFF GROUP NOMINEES FOR THE PLANO ISD DIVERSITY LEADERSHIP AWARD CATEGORY.
THE NOMINEES ARE THE JACKSON ELEMENTARY DIVERSITY COMMITTEE, WHICH INCLUDES CRYSTAL ROACH, JESSICA VARGAS, JUDITH SOLIS, NANCY SHAW, [INAUDIBLE] SHAW AND EMILY [INAUDIBLE].
THE PLANO ISD SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING TEAM, INCLUDING CLAIR SONG, SHANNON [INAUDIBLE], JENNA MARTIN AND SHERMAN MCRAE.
AND FINALLY, THE THOMAS ELEMENTARY MULTICULTURAL TEAM, INCLUDING KAMESHA ROSS, KEMILE BOX, SANDRA BARBA, KIM WILCOX, CASSIDY DEGRATE, AYANNA BLACK, DANIELA KERPENS, TAMIKA WALLER AND SHELAN PERALTA.
AND THE WINNER IS THE JACKSON ELEMENTARY DIVERSITY COMMITTEE.
THE JACKSON ELEMENTARY DIVERSITY COMMITTEE IS A DEDICATED GROUP OF EIGHT VOLUNTEER STAFF MEMBERS WHO WORK TOGETHER TO PLAN INCLUSIVE ACTIVITIES FOR ALL STAFF AND STUDENTS THAT EDUCATE, CELEBRATE AND PROMOTE THE MANY DIVERSE ASPECTS OF CULTURES, INCLUDING MUSIC, FOOD, CLOTHING AND CUSTOMS FROM AROUND THE WORLD.
THE DIVERSITY COMMITTEE AND THE CAMPUS AT JACKSON ELEMENTARY EMBRACE DIVERSITY DAILY.
MONTHLY MEETINGS ARE HELD TO PLAN AHEAD FOR EVENTS ALL YEAR, NOT JUST ONE DAY OF THE YEAR.
THE WALLS IN THE SCHOOL EVEN REFLECT THE BEAUTIFUL DIVERSITY OF THE JACKSON COMMUNITY, WITH SELF-MADE DOLLS REPRESENTING ALL STUDENTS AT THE SCHOOL.
THERE ARE A HALLWAY, BULLETIN BOARDS, MORNING ANNOUNCEMENTS AND FUN SPIRIT DAYS TO REPRESENT INDIVIDUAL CULTURES AT JACKSON ELEMENTARY, IT IS SAID DIVERSITY IS NOT SOMETHING WE TRY TO DO.
THE NEXT GROUP REPRESENTS THIS YEAR'S DISTRICT STAFF, INDIVIDUAL NOMINEES FOR THE PLANO ISD DIVERSITY LEADERSHIP AWARD CATEGORY.
THE NOMINEES ARE STEPHANIE DUDZINSKI, KULSUM MZEE, ALMA OLGUIN, ANTHONY RUTTENBERG AND ADRIAN WATSON.
AND THE WINNER IS ANTHONY RUTTENBERG.
CONGRATULATIONS AND WILL DESERVED ANTHONY.
SINCE ANTHONY JOINED PLANO EAST SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL AS A SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER IN 2014 HE HAS PASSIONATELY EXPLORED PROJECTS TO CREATE INCLUSIVENESS FOR OUR SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS.
HIS FIRST PROJECT WAS TO CREATE A PANTHER PRIDE BASKETBALL TEAM COMPRISED OF SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS.
NOW IN ITS SIXTH YEAR, THE TEAM ALSO INCLUDES STUDENTS FROM THE SOLOMON ADULT TRANSITION CENTER.. THESE VIBRANT THURSDAY NIGHT GAMES INCLUDE DJ LED MUSIC, A FOGHORN MACHINE, CHEERING FAMILIES AND SUPPORTIVE STUDENTS IN THE STANDS, FOSTERING PRIDE IN OUR SPECIAL EDUCATION COMMUNITY.
IN ADDITION TO THESE GAMES, ANTHONY HAS CREATED AN ANNUAL EVENT IN WHICH THE PANTHER PRIDE TEAM PLAYS THE PLANO AND MURPHY POLICE DEPARTMENTS.
THIS EVENT HAS BECOME A FUNDRAISER FOR AUTISM AWARENESS.
ANTHONY HAS ALSO BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN LAUNCHING A COFFEE AND HOT CHOCOLATE SERVICE CART WITH OUR SPECIAL NEEDS LEARNERS SERVING AS BARISTAS TO THE STAFF.
THIS IS OFTEN THE BEST PART OF THE DAY FOR OUR TEACHERS.
THESE ARE JUST A COUPLE OF EXAMPLES OF HOW ANTHONY IS DRIVEN TO DEVELOP PROJECTS IN THE GRANDEST FASHION TO CREATE A FEELING OF VALUE AND SUPERSTARDOM TO SOME OF OUR MOST SPECIAL PANTHERS.
THANK YOU, ANTHONY, FOR CONTRIBUTING TO SHAPING A CULTURE WHERE STUDENTS AND STAFF EMBRACE DIVERSITY.
THIS NEXT GROUP REPRESENTS THE PLANO ISD STUDENT GROUP NOMINEES.
THE NOMINEE AND WINNER IS PLANO GENDERS AND SEXUALITIES ALLIANCE, OR PLANO GSA, BY CREATING A DISTRICT WIDE ORGANIZATION INCLUDING GSA'S AT MOST MIDDLE HIGH SCHOOLS AND SENIOR HIGH SCHOOLS.
PLANO GSA HELPS CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE ALL STUDENTS CAN THRIVE AND FEEL INCLUDED.
THE GROUP PROVIDES EDUCATION AND SUPPORT TO LOCAL CHAPTERS AND ASSISTS NEW LEADERSHIP IN ACQUIRING THE SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE NEEDED TO EFFECTIVELY LEAD A GSA.
MOST IMPRESSIVE IS THE WAY THEY WORK TO MAKE PLANO ISD A MORE WELCOMING DISTRICT BY ADVOCATING FOR POLICY INCLUSION IN THE DISTRICT'S ANTI-DISCRIMINATION POLICY THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA, DIRECT CONTACT WITH DISTRICT LEADERS AND SCHOOL BOARD MEETING PUBLIC
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STATEMENTS. SPECIAL KUDOS TO THE CURRENT CO-PRESIDENTS OF THE PLANO GSA, GABRIELA RUPP AND NIDHI KALLUR, WHOSE TENACIOUS DRIVE AND DESIRE TO PROVIDE SAFE SPACES FOR ALL STUDENTS IN THE DISTRICT HAVE MADE A GREAT IMPACT.THANK YOU PLANO GSA, FOR YOUR INSPIRING WORK IN MAKING OUR SCHOOLS A SAFER, MORE WELCOMING PLACE FOR OUR STUDENTS.
FOR THIS FINAL HONOR, I SHARE WITH YOU PLANO ISD'S INDIVIDUAL NOMINEES FOR THE PLANO ISD DIVERSITY LEADERSHIP AWARD CATEGORY.
THE NOMINEES ARE LAURA CHIAPPINA, MADHALASA IYER AND ABDUL SULAIMAN KHAN, AND THE WINNER IS MADHALASA IYER.
THIS RECOGNITION IS A SPECIAL AWARD BEING PRESENTED TO AN EXCEPTIONAL PLANO ISD STUDENT WITH GREAT CHARACTER AND LEADERSHIP SKILLS.
THE HONOREE IS ELOQUENT, COMPASSIONATE, DETERMINED AND ABOVE ALL, HOPEFUL.
MADHALASA'S PASSION FUELED PROJECT SAVING THE HANDS THAT FEED US IS A TESTAMENT TO HER CHARACTER, HARD WORK AND CARE FOR OTHERS.
WHEN PESTICIDE POISONING DEATHS OCCURRED IN HER ANCESTRAL TOWN IN INDIA, SHE FELT COMPELLED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT AND ORGANIZE FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES, PAY FOR GLOVES AND OTHER PROTECTIVE GEAR FOR FARMERS IN THE REGION.
SHE ALSO ORGANIZED PESTICIDE RESEARCH.
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY AWARDED MADALASA WITH THE PRESIDENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL YOUTH AWARD IN RECOGNITION OF HER EFFORTS.
ADDITIONALLY, OUR PLANO ISD INDIVIDUAL AWARD WINNER GAVE A TEDX TALK ABOUT ACCEPTANCE OF INDIVIDUALS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS.
HER GOAL IS TO BRING AWARENESS TO THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF CHILDREN WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS AND HOW OUR SOCIETY CAN BE MORE INCLUSIVE.
SHE ALSO EARNED THE PRESIDENTIAL GOLD VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARD IN 2019 FOR COMPLETING MORE THAN ONE HUNDRED VOLUNTEER HOURS WORKING WITH THE ELDERLY AND CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES.
MADHALASA COMPETED AND WON FIRST PLACE IN THE 2021 NATIONAL STRONGER THAN HATE CHALLENGE, WITH A LITERARY AND MULTIMEDIA SUBMISSION FOCUSED ON EMBRACING DIVERSITY AND COMBATTING HATE. MADHALASA IS CURRENTLY WRITING A BOOK ENTITLED MOTLEY WITH THE HOPE OF SHARING THAT DIVERSITY IS AN ATTRIBUTE WE SHOULD ALL EMBRACE.
AGAIN, CONGRATULATIONS MADHALASA.
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF THIS YEAR'S WINNERS AND NOMINEES.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR COMMITMENT TO THIS SCHOOL, DISTRICT AND COMMUNITY, AND THANK YOU TO THOSE WHO TOOK THE TIME TO SUBMIT A NOMINATION FOR THIS YEAR'S AWARDS.
AND THAT'S A WRAP FOR THE 2022 PLANO ISD DIVERSITY LEADERSHIP AWARDS.
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TO HONOR THOSE LEADING THE IMPORTANT CONVERSATIONS AND INITIATIVES IN OUR COMMUNITY THAT HELP DEEPEN OUR UNDERSTANDING AND APPRECIATION FOR ONE ANOTHER. PLEASE CONTINUE CELEBRATING THE RICH DIVERSITY THAT MAKES THE PLANO ISD COMMUNITY SUCH A VIBRANT PLACE TO LIVE, WORK AND LEARN AS WE HONOR THE PAST.
INSPIRE THE PRESENT AND CHANGE THE FUTURE TOGETHER.
MAKING THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE.
WE MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE SO EVERYONE CAN HAVE THIS SPACE.
NO ONE NEEDS TO FIGHT BECAUSE EVERYONE HAS DIFFERENT LIFE.
PEOPLE MIGHT FIGHT BECAUSE OF COLOR OF SKIN.
NO ONE NEEDS SUPPORT OTHER THAN A PEN.
SO AS YOU THINK IN YOUR MIND? WE SHOULD HONOR OUR PAST BY CELEBRATING MLK JUNIOR FAST.
THEN THE FUTURE WILL BE CHANGED BECAUSE EVERYTHING WILL BE ARRANGED.
WILL BE HAPPY AND WE'LL MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE.
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SPANISH] REBECCA JIMENEZ.FROM A SUPERSTAR TO A BUS DRIVER, ROLE MODELS COME IN VARIOUS FORMS. IN FACT, I HAVE MANY ROLE MODELS.
MY TEACHERS, PARENTS AND COACHES, BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, LEADERS THAT CHANGE THE WORLD.
FOR EXAMPLE, MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.
IS KNOWN FOR PROTESTING AGAINST SEGREGATION AND WORKING TOWARD EQUALIZING ALL PEOPLE REGARDLESS OF THEIR SKIN COLOR.
ALTHOUGH THERE WERE MANY PROTESTERS IN THE LATE 1950S THROUGH 1967 WHEN HE WAS ASSASSINATED, MLK STOOD OUT AMONG THE PACK BECAUSE HE TOOK MATTERS INTO HIS OWN HANDS AND BEGAN TO LEAD OTHERS.
MOST IMPORTANTLY, IN A PEACEFUL WAY.
TO HONOR MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.
FOR HIS WORK AND CHANGING THE WORLD, THERE'S EVEN A NATIONAL HOLIDAY CALLED MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY, CELEBRATED ON JANUARY 17TH EVERY YEAR.
WAS A GREAT LEADER WHO OTHERS CAN ALWAYS LOOK UP TO FOR INSPIRATION.
AS A YOUNG PERSON, IT IS EASY TO GET DISCOURAGED WHEN LEARNING ABOUT THE WORK OF GREAT LEADERS. YOU MIGHT HAVE THOUGHTS LIKE HOW CAN I MAKE AN IMPACT?
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I'M JUST A KID. REMEMBER, THESE LEADERS WERE ONCE KIDS LIKE YOU, BUT THEY WANTED TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE. YOU, TOO, CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE TODAY.THIS CAN BE ACCOMPLISHED BY STANDING UP TO BULLIES, BEING NICE TO PEOPLE AROUND YOU AND INCLUDING EVERYONE, REGARDLESS OF THEIR DIFFERENCES.
BY DOING THIS, YOU CAN BE AN EXAMPLE FOR OTHERS.
PEOPLE WILL TAKE NOTICE OF HOW YOU'RE TREATING OTHERS AND FOLLOW SUIT.
NOBODY CAN SEE INTO THE FUTURE, BUT YOU WANT TO LEAVE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE THAN YOU FOUND IT. THIS SEEMS TO BE THE MOTTO THAT MANY GREAT LEADERS, INCLUDING MARTIN LUTHER KING JR., HAVE FOLLOWED.
MOVING FORWARD, YOU MAY THINK THAT YOU HAVE TO BE A POLITICIAN TO MAKE AN IMPACT ON THE WORLD. THAT IS NOT TRUE.
BY WORKING ON IMPROVING ONE ASPECT, EVERYONE COULD PLAY A PART IN CHANGING THE WORLD.
BY INSPIRING THE PRESENT AND CHANGING THE FUTURE.
WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE, JUST LIKE MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.
I'M ALICE CHEREMUKHINA BOGGESS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.
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* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.