The MLK Day reception at Arvest in Fayetteville was a resounding success. Arvest Fayetteville associates estimate there were more than 200 people in attendance. Photographer Andy Shupe and reporter Rose Anne Pearce of the NWA Times were present to capture the entire reception. Brother Irvine Williams, Jr. spoke about the importance of freedom.  Additionally, attendees were treated to the sounds of the Holcomb Elementary School Honor Choir, performing under the direction of Paula Aldama.

Lyndsay Ho, a 5th grade student at Vandergriff Elementary, read her winning speech as part of the Arvest Fayetteville Martin Luther King, Jr. Day celebration on Monday. The purpose of the annual speaking contest is to encourage students to think critically about Dr. King's legacy in the community.

Below, you can read Lyndsay's winning speech, as well as some photos from Monday's events.

Martin Luther King Jr. was born on January 15, 1929.  He was called M.L.  He shared a house with his parents, sister, and brother. They lived on Auburn Avenue in Atlanta, Georgia. His father had the job of a minister at Ebenezer Baptist Church. At the table at dinner one night, M.L. was taught a very important rule. It was to treat all people with respect.  Not everyone in Atlanta knew that rule. As he was growing up M.L. saw that black and white people were treated differently. They could not share the same things.  M.L. was very confused. Why couldn’t black and white people have the same rights? He decided that he wanted to change that when he was grown up. So M.L. decided to work very hard. He worked so hard, that he went to college at the age of 15. Martin never stopped thinking about how to change the world.

He decided to be a preacher, like his father. He went to a school in Boston.  While he was there, he met a girl named Coretta Scott.

In 1963, Martin stood before the crowd. “ I have a dream," he exclaimed. “I have a dream that one day little black boys and little black girls will be able to hold hands with little white boys and little white girls and walk together as brothers and sisters.” That changed the minds of some people. Some people though, didn’t agree with his words. Those treated him meanly. They put him in jail, threw a bomb at his house, and called him names. Martin’s ideas were to handle things peacefully. In 1964, he was given the Nobel Peace Prize.

Sadly, in 1968 Martin Luther King went to Tennessee to help some people. While he was standing on his balcony, someone shot and killed him.  The world was angry and sad because somebody had done that to such a kind man.

Now we celebrate Martin Luther King Day to remember him.