What motivated you to “step” in the Martin Luther King Jr. Liturgy this year?

“Over the years, I have loved seeing the different aspects of the prayer service and the many different ways Dr. King’s message is conveyed to us.  Stepping was definitely something I wanted to be a part of.  After participating in a poem last year, I knew I wanted to be a part of the planning process this year so I could share my input and ideas to make an impact on everyone in attendance.”

How does “stepping” during the liturgy honor the themes of unity and empowerment that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. stood for?

“The art of stepping, along with the tradition of senior class members stepping with the Vision Steppers during the prayer service, embodies the theme of unity that Dr. King constantly preached.  By joining together members of two completely different communities through a form of art that is not only powerful only in the movements of the dance but also through the message it relays.”

In what ways has Dr King’s legacy inspired your leadership as Head of the Diversity Club?

“One of the things Dr. King is most known for is his consistent preaching of nonviolence.  The Diversity Club is a perfect example of the ways we can discuss and address topics such as racism, religion, sexism, and discrimination without the presence of violence.  The message of nonviolence inspires me to be a leader who brings up and handles these difficult and heavy topics with an open mind and a willingness to listen, learn, and educate others without the need for aggression or violence.”