For weeks, third graders at KIPP Destiny Elementary School in Dallas have been belting out songs reminiscent of the 1960s.
The "Starlight Singers" Choir will perform civil rights marching anthems and the Black National Anthem "Lift Every Voice and Sing" at the Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade in Dallas.
"I'm excited to sing in front of everyone," said 9-year-old Ambryia Grace. "It will be great to see all of the people, but I hope they are listening to what we are saying. I hope they are understanding the songs. These songs make me proud and determined to get to my destination."
Through singing, the students have learned lessons about history and King.
"He was very intelligent, and he fought for us," said 8-year-old Adya Davis. "It’s sad that someone took his life. That person wasn't right by doing that. It’s not their life, it’s not meant to be stolen. You can't have two of them. You just can't take other people's lives."
"I want to thank Dr. King so much for what he did," Ambryia said. "He died before I was born and we didn't even get a chance to see him, so singing these songs is another way to thank him. I just love him so much."
Other students learned what life was like before segregation.
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"It would just be weird if we lived in the same area, but couldn't be around each other," said 9-year-old Micah Batis.
The annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade begins at 10 a.m. and is scheduled to last until 1 p.m.
