MACON, Ga. — The late and great Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's birthday was recognized on Monday, and five East Macon schools are continuing to celebrate him.
They are organizing their first-ever Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School parade to carry on Dr. King's name and legacy.
From handmade floats to school marching bands, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary is collaborating with Bernd Elementary, Burdell-Hunt Elementary, Appling Middle, and Northeast High Schools to honor Dr. King.
"The first word that came to mind was community, and the last part of community is unity," Principal at Bernd Elementary Chad Thompson said.
These five schools will be marching down the streets of East Macon, inspired by Dr. King's march from Selma to Montgomery.
Tawanya Wilson is the principal at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary, and she says it goes beyond the students.
"Because we have a school named after a great man, we just want to honor him," Wilson said. "Since we are all together on the east side, we decided to come together and honor his legacy and then demonstrate the kind of character traits that we are trying to instill in our students."
When it comes to the students, Jarvis Smith is in the sixth grade at Appling Middle School and says he's excited to be part of history.
"I also want to learn from his history so that way when we get to the future, we'll be able to learn from his mistakes," Smith said. "We'll be able to learn from his values, and we'll be able to go forward."
Taylor Greene is in the third grade at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary, and she said she's excited to be part of the parade and do all of the activities for Dr. King.
"If he wouldn't have done what he did, we wouldn't be doing this right now," Greene said. "We are celebrating him and we should honor him for giving us equal rights."
Jeremiah Parker is a tenor drum percussionist marching with the Northeast High School band in the parade. He said back then, Dr. King made his voice known. Now, he aspires to do the same.
"I want to be able to show my talents to people and inspire people at younger ages to do what I'm doing striving towards their future," he said.
The parade is Friday, Jan. 19. from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
It starts and ends at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School on Shurling Drive.
Parents, neighbors, and the public are invited!