On Feb. 18, Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano joined Superintendent of Schools Dr. Edwin M. Quezada, public officials, judges and various community leaders in presenting the winners of the City’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Poem/Video contest during the Mayor’s Annual Black History Month Celebration.
Eighth grade poem winner Savaun Taylor, of Martin Luther King, Jr. Academy, and ninth grade video contest winners Ava LeCoq and Evelyn Vazquez Ramirez, of Roosevelt High School-Early College Studies, were selected from the 200+ submissions received by Mayor Spano and members of his African American Advisory Board.
“I am continually impressed and inspired by the talent and dedication of our City’s youngest residents, our students, and I commend their work in this year’s contest,” said Mayor Spano. “As Mayor, I am happy to see more young people joining the movement for positive change. They are leading the discussions, spreading awareness and motivating others to take action.”
This year’s Black History Month theme, Black Resistance, took a look at how African Americans have fought repression from America’s earliest days.
Ø Eighth grade poem winner Savaun Taylor of Martin Luther King Jr. Academy wrote a poem about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., highlighting resistance, repression and resilience.
Ø Ninth grade video contest winners Ava LeCoq and Evelyn Vazquez Ramirez of Roosevelt High School-Early College Studies produced a video depicting how African Americans have fought repression from America’s earliest days. They also included two prominent African American champions who fought for equality.
