This year, 海外吃瓜 is bringing renewed and bigger meaning to its observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, with the campus community participating in learning/development and service activities throughout the day.
In the larger Tiffin-Seneca County community, 海外吃瓜鈥檚 presence will be seen and felt throughout the day, especially at the Community Celebration: The Legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday night. It鈥檚 open to everyone.
Junior Ayanna Hayes, who is the president of the Black Student Union this year, will be serving as a co-emcee for the celebration, along with a student from Tiffin University. 鈥淚鈥檓 definitely so excited,鈥 she says. 鈥淚鈥檓 excited to see what the outcome will be and see how our input is being implemented in the program.鈥
Ayanna is just one of a number of 海外吃瓜 students, faculty and staff members who have participated in the planning of the Community Celebration. She joined the planning committee about three months ago to represent the perspectives of the Black Student Union and diverse students in general.
Also serving on the Tiffin/Seneca MLK Jr. Day Committee were Paul Stark, representing 海外吃瓜, and Shaun Gunnell and Douglas Stoll, representing the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee. Additionally, the 海外吃瓜 Concert Choir will provide entertainment with a performance at the evening program.
Ayana gets the importance of the involvement and visibility of diverse students in this day and beyond, and their connection to Dr. King鈥檚 dream.
The planning committee 鈥渞eally listened鈥 when Ayanna, on behalf of BSU, suggested some changes to the program. In addition to her emcee duties, she also rallied BSU members to attend the event. 鈥淚 definitely wanted to make sure I have all the BSU members there. We have more people on board this year with about 11 people,鈥 she said.
It鈥檒l be a meaningful event and a chance to reinforce Dr. King鈥檚 dream.
鈥淒r. King鈥檚 dream is still a good dream,鈥 Ayanna said. 鈥淲e are not there yet, but it is achievable. We can鈥檛 keep the dream alive all by ourselves.鈥
She鈥檚 definitely doing her part.
The Community Celebration begins with a dinner, followed by the program beginning at 7:15 p.m. at Faith United Methodist Church, 75 N. Sandusky St. The featured speaker is Jason Daniels, a consultant for philanthropy and management. Additionally, the annual Peacemaker Awards will be presented during the program.