Students inspired after Martin Luther King Jr. Commission ‘dream keepers’ Tour in D.C.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Arkansas Martin Luther King Jr. Commission is rounding out its anti-bullying campaign in Washington D.C. for its ‘Dream Keepers Tour’ by reflecting on what they have learned, and the memories made.
Executive Director of the commission, Dushun Scarbrough says this journey was special.
“It’s been really wonderful to hear that their lives have changed through being able to take these trips for the purpose of education,” said Scarbrough.
On Thursday, the commission traveled back to Arkansas from the nation’s capital with the group of students who traveled with them. Scarbrough says they had to leave later than expected because of the weather.
“We have to be strategic in our way of approaching the severe weather that’s before us so we want to make sure that kids safety is first so we’re going to start off a little bit late,” said Scarbrough.
MLK Commission to hold food giveaway in North Little Rock on July 3
However, for the students from central Arkansas who went along on the trip say the weather didn’t impact their experience.
“A lot of us talked about the trip. It helped us open up her eyes to the many opportunities out there in the world,” said Chandler Laurent, Pine Bluff High School Student.
The students say they had many favorable moments on the tour.
Other Pine Bluff High School students like Makayla Young say, “The White House tour” was her favorite moment, while Anthony Goldsmith says, “when we went down to the Washington Monument.”
While Chandler Laurent said his favorite moment was the surprise trip that took the students on to New York City; Lauren Grey, a student with Little Rock School District says her favorite moment was also New York.
While other students say their favorite moment of the tour was the unveiling of the Daisy Bates statue in the National Statuary Hall, U.S. Capitol.
“It had to be seeing Ms. Daisy Bates statue,” said Raylei Reed.
Laurent says he learned a lot on the tour, especially about Bates.
“I’m going to be honest with you coming on this trip I didn’t really know too much about Daisy Bates, I gained a lot of knowledge about her,” said Laurent.
Arkansas Martin Luther King Commission working to change the lives of youth
Education was an important part of the trip and so was Anti-bullying, a campaign they took to the Lincoln Memorial.
“I’m going to strive to do more, and do better and be better,” said Takriah Rodgers, Pine Bluff High School Student.
Scarbrough says he is glad that the students took an interest in the trip and want to learn more.
“It’s something that made a difference, that really speaks volumes and is great about what we are doing,” said Scarbrough.
Anthony Goldsmith who is a student at Pine Bluff High School says he felt “inspired” after the entire tour.
“Everyone has the power to do something important in their lives.”
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK.
