Simplicity, stewardship and water were the themes of Friends School of Minnesota’s 21st Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration. Over 700 parents, alumni, relatives, Friends, and friends came to see the all-school performance on January 18, 2013 at University of St. Catherine’s O’Shaughnessy Auditorium in St. Paul.

The 2013 program wove together singing, dancing, drama, spoken word and visuals to celebrate the work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and this year’s themes. Music teacher Brad Bradshaw directed the many choral pieces that celebrate who we are as a school. Each grade, classroom or advisory prepared a part of the program, working with teachers and three artists in residence: dance teacher Jae Haile Phillips, drama teacher Annie Enneking, and choreographer Lynn Andrews.

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A group of 5th and 6th graders led the kindergarten class in a water-themed dance.
8th graders Abby and Paige were the masters of ceremony.
8th graders Abby and Paige were the masters of ceremony
1st and 2nd graders performed a skit about Martin Luther King Jr.'s childhood
1st and 2nd graders performed a skit about Martin Luther King Jr.’s childhood
3rd and 4th graders
3rd and 4th graders worked with Jae Haile Phillips to create an energetic movement piece about simplicity and stewardship.
5th and 6th graders
5th and 6th graders performed a piece about the history of Coldwater Spring along the Mississippi River where they have been visiting and doing service work this year.
7th and 8th graders read student quotes about simplicity within complexity to accompany a slideshow of student artwork
7th and 8th graders read student quotes about simplicity within complexity to accompany a slideshow of student artwork.
The beautiful children's voices celebrated community on a cold winter's evening.
The beautiful children’s voices celebrated community on a cold winter’s evening.
MLK-2013

As one parent commented, Friends School of Minnesota’s MLK Day Celebration is “One of my favorite moments of the year.”

DVDs of Friends School of Minnesota’s 21st Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration are available for sale online or at the school.

Enjoy a photo album of the event on Facebook.