The day after Barack Obama was sworn in as President of the United States, students at PS 56 were treated to an inaugural celebration of their own.
In honor of both Obama’s inauguration and Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the PS 56 Chorus gave a concert and a series of readings for their classmates. Titled “Celebrating our Historical Journey,” the program evoked Abraham Lincoln, in addition to Dr. King and President Obama.
Fifth graders Rufino Lopez, Elham Chowdhury and Junaid Ahmed gave rousing recitals from the Gettysburg Address, King’s “I Have A Dream” speech, and Obama’s election-night acceptance speech.
Their classmate, Nadia Budhu, introduced the speakers, reminding the audience that America “is as diverse as the people in this room, this school, this neighborhood, this city, this country, on this earth.”
Principal Priscilla Sheeran had tears in her eyes as she told her students that Obama’s election should encourage them to work hard and follow their dreams. Chorus Director Sondra Boozebailey had her students open the concert with the civil rights standard, “We Shall Overcome,” and asked all of their classmates in the audience to stand up and sing along. The audience gladly obliged.
The PS 56 choral group had performed at the 11th Annual Martin Luther King Interfaith Celebration for Religious and Racial Harmony at St. Bartholomew’s Church in Manhattan on Sunday, Jan. 18. They were the only children’s chorus to perform in the festivities, Sheeran said.
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