Community Corner

MLK Scholars Recognized at Ecumenical Service

Eight Students Encouraged to Give Back to Community

Eight recipients of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship were given special recognition Sunday at an ecumenical service at .

The 27th annual service, featuring speakers and choirs from several New London churches, recognized the ideas and contributions of the civil rights leader honored by Monday’s holiday. Ulysses B. Hammond, president of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship Trust Fund, started and concluded a reflection with a quote from King: “The time is always right to do what is right.”

Hammond said the calls for political civility in the wake of a deadly shooting in Arizona recall similar pronouncements by King. These included statements that “evil is not be driven out, but crowded out,” that forgiveness must be “a constant attitude,” and that people must not be silent in the wake of “vitriolic words and actions of bad people.”

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“On civility, in a sermon right after an explosion on the front porch of his home while his wife and infant daughter were inside, he said and I quote, ‘Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend,’” said Hammond.

The service’s keynote speaker was Sharon Dunning, a 1978 recipient of the scholarship who now works as an epidemiologist for the Connecticut Department of Health. Dunning said she believed King would be proud of the progress made in the United States, and encouraged the recipients of the scholarship to return the honor through actions such as volunteering, mentoring, and working hard to pursue their own goals.

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“Your return of thanks is to pass it on,” said Dunning.

The scholarship is awarded annually to students of color based on academic success, service, and need. Since 1968, 108 scholarships have been given out. Each one is worth $20,000. The following eight high school seniors received awards in October:

  • Rachelle Aekins, of the Waterford High School, who plans to study biomedical engineering.
  • Ami Dhyani, of the , who plans to study medicine.
  • Trae Lee Jeannette, of the New London Science and Technology Magnet School, who plans to study engineering.
  • Peter Kydd, of the New London Science and Technology Magnet School, who wants to become a surgeon.
  • Aisha Lee, of Fitch High School, who plans to study medicine.
  • Zakiya Thomas-Keyton, of the , who plans to study medicine.
  • Chloe Ware, of the New London Science and Technology Magnet School, who plans to study medicine.
  • Lawrence Wilson, of Stonington High School, who plans to study broadcast journalism.

Larry DeLong, the pastor at , closed the service with a prayer as congregants held hands across the aisle. DeLong also encouraged the scholarship recipients to give back to the community.

“May God bless you richly, and don’t forget about New London after you get your paper,” he said.


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