MILWAUKEE -- During the 35th Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration a community honored the civil rights icon's legacy and Milwaukee teen Sandra Parks.
The yearly celebration includes a writing contest in which students put into their own words what King's message means to them. 13-year-old Parks was a former winner of the contest before she was killed last Fall.
Sunday's celebration at the Marcus Center for Performing Arts featured diverse cultural performances and art forms.
The program included a moment of silence as the community remembers Parks.
"The very issues that she wrote about really caused her death. So while this is a celebratory event it's important to stop and remember her as well," said Paul Matthews, President and CEO of the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts.
In her essay a few years ago Parks wrote about compassion and overcoming violence.
Before the 13-year-old was killed she was one of the many Milwaukee area students who took King's work to heart.
"What stands out to me every year is students who are taught or know or found out about King's legacy, his words, and how he went about delivering them. They get it and it's reflective in their writings," said Donelle Johnson, one of the writing contest creators.
Arianna Cawthorn, a senior at Eastbrook Academy, was a winner for this year's speech contest. Cawthorn talked about how Parks was a talented writer and how her death was heartbreaking for the entire community.
Reflecting on the scars violence leaves behind Cawthorn said she wants to send a message of hope.
"I feel like we need to look at our brothers and sisters and say, 'Do you need help?' Let's build on our community," said Cawthorn.
