MIDDLETOWN — Nine-year-old Maya Hackney stood on a chair Wednesday so she could reach the microphone at Taft Accelerated Elementary School.

Using a chair to reach the microphone, Maya Hackney reads her essay about Martin Luther King Jr. during a videotaping at school this week. (Michael Snyder photo) | ZOOM |

        In a soft voice, she began reading her interpretation of Martin Luther King Jr.'s civil rights message while second-grade teacher Sheila Hawkinson videotaped her speech. Maya's essay and those of the school's 26 other second-graders will become part of a video their parents will view todayas part of a celebration of the Rev. Dr. King's birthday.

        The video includes each studentreading a portion of the “I Have A Dream” speech, taped Tuesday and set to music.

        “Martin Luther King is someone they recognize easily,” said teacher Susan Bidwell. “We want to make sure they understand what he did and what he stood for.”

        The class read Martin's Book of Big Words, a book that used quotes from throughout his life to tell his story from childhood. The children's essays were based on the book.

        “I want to be like him,” said Melissa Martin, 8, who said she was a little nervous when she read her essay. "Everyone can be great. If somebody can do something, then somebody else can, too.”

        William Pinetal said he learned that the Rev. Dr. King is no longer alive because someone shot him.

        "I like this because it's fun and I get to learn more about Martin Luther King,” William said. "I didn't know in first grade that they shot him.”
       

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