50 years after “I have a dream” speech: Is Wheeling, West Virginia still living the dream?

WHEELING, W.Va. – Fifty years following of one of history’s most influential speeches, Wheeling Jesuit will mark the annual celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) wit a variety of activities open to the public.

This year’s event’s are scheduled for Sunday and Monday, January 20th and 21st, 2013, and will be centered around a central theme: “In this 50th Anniversary Year of Dr. King's justly famous "I Have A Dream" Speech: " Is Wheeling, West Virginia Still Dreaming the Dream?"

Wheeling Jesuit University Rev. James O’Brien, S.J. says the celebration of Dr. King’s legacy gives Wheeling a special sense of community. “There is an old saying which says “To dream one self is merely to dream, to dream with others—aah, that is the beginning of reality.” It’s that sense of collaboration that really brings the community together for this celebration, and makes it a special event.”

At 1 p.m. on Sunday, January 20th, a public march commemorating the Civil Rights Marches led by King will depart from Temple Shalom on Bethany Pike and proceed onto National Road and Washington Avenue, ending at the Chapel of Mary and Joseph at Wheeling Jesuit University. (A van will be available for those who choose not to walk, and the chapel will be open for early arrivals.)

Following the march, a 30-minute worship service and reflection will take place focusing on the theme. A representative of the Wheeling Black Clergy Alliance will also be in attendance. Immediately following the service, a luncheon will be held in Wheeling Jesuit’s Benedum Room. Cost of lunch is only $3.

The afternoon’s activity will conclude at 4 p.m. with a worship service sponsored by the Ohio Valley Clergy Alliance at the First Presbyterian Church (1060 Chapline St, Wheeling) featuring Rev. Jeremiah Jasper of the Fourth Street Methodist Church who will lead as pastor.

Monday, Jan. 16 begins with a 9 a.m. breakfast for school-age children, held in the Laughlin Memorial Chapel, located at 129 1/2 -18th St. The West Virginia Northern Community College culinary arts program provides the annual MLK breakfast. The MLK breakfast will be followed by children's educational programs, and will finish with a noontime luncheon. To R.S.V.P for the Children’s Breakfast, call 304-232-2630.

At 3 p.m. Monday, Jan. 16, Wheeling Jesuit's Troy Theater will be the site of the annual YWCA MLK essay contest ceremony. Nine Ohio County school students who were named winners in the annual YWCA statewide MLK essay contest will present their reflections. The contest focus this year was on the contemporary practice of bullying in schools. The program also will include performances of song and dance by youth groups from the area.

For more information, please contact Dr. Helen Faso (hmfaso@wju.edu)