Montevideo's Public School No.178 "Martin Luther King" celebrated the second anniversary of its naming after the American civil rights leader. U.S. Embassy official Thomas Hamm was invited to deliver remarks on the legacy of Dr. King in relationship to the importance of education. School Inspector (Superintendent) Ana DeLitti thanked the embassy for its support of Uruguayan public education, especially in such schools as the Martin Luther King that are located in poor neighborhoods.

The celebration included a science fair and featured performances from students of every grade. Fifth graders performed a dramatization of the incident in 1955 where Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat to a white man on a segregated Montgomery, Alabama bus. Second graders sang U2’s “Pride (in the Name of Love)” in English and the chorus from Colegio Jose Benito Lamas offered the song “Qué futuro me están preparando.”

At the event, the U.S. Embassy Montevideo announced the donation of 4 computers to supplement a previous donation of 8 others. The central education authorities require that a school possess at least 12 computers to be given an instructor in Computer Science. As part of its commitment to education, the embassy continues to be a partner in preparing a brighter future for Uruguay ’s disadvantaged public school students.

>Click to enlarge photo  School and embassy officials stand as flag bearers bring in the flags of Uruguay and United States during the opening ceremonies of Montevideo's Martin Luther King public school second anniversary celebration, November 16, 2006.

>Click to enlarge photo  Fifth graders recreate the incident in 1955 where Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat to a white man on a segregated Montgomery, Alabama bus. The man, standing, is complaining to bus driver as Rosa Parks occupies one of the seats.

>Click to enlarge photo  Each of the six grades presented their owm performance during the celebration.

>Click to enlarge photo  Second graders singing U2’s “Pride (in the Name of Love)” in English. They had learned the song in less than two weeks.

>Click to enlarge photo  For global peace and understanding, fourth graders pin friendship messages on planet Earth.

>Click to enlarge photo  Kindergarten children having fun during their lively performance.

>Click to enlarge photo  First graders performing a play depicting various fictitious and real life characters.

>Click to enlarge photo  A chorus visiting from Colegio Jose Benito Lamas offered the song “Qué futuro me están preparando.”

>Click to enlarge photo  Children enjoying the celebration of Martin Luther King school's second anniversary.

>Click to enlarge photo  U.S. Embassy official, Thomas Hamm, puts on a funny face as children greeting him like to hear him speak in English.

 
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