Submitted by Doug Marshall.

This year, Orcas Island school students will be treated to a special celebration of the Federal holiday that honors Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

On Friday, Jan. 13, there will be two special celebrations, jointly presented by the Orcas Island School District, the Parent-Teacher-Student Association, Woman in the Woods Productions, and Orcas Center.

Middle and High School students will gather at Orcas Center, for several special presentations emceed by High School Principal Kyle Freeman. Slam poet Alex Dang will present poems he has written honoring Dr. King. Famed Orcas Island musician Martin Lund Martin will be joined by his daughter Jaz Lund. Woman in the Woods President Michell Marshall will share her personal recollections and reflections on the civil rights movement that Dr. King helped lead.

The program for K-5 students will be under the direction of OI Elementary School Principal Lorena Stankevich. Guest presenter Maeve Devoy, Ph.D., will meet with the elementary students in the cafeteria, and then will visit each classroom to dive deeper, in an age-appropriate manner, into the life of Dr. King and the civil rights movement.

The idea of marking the MLK Holiday in a special way this year was an initiative of PTSA President Michele Rodriguez.

Portland-based Dang is a former TEDx speaker, who has competed in the National Poetry Slam and was a Portland and Eugene Grand Slam Champion.

Jaz Lund is a woman of color, musician, vocalist, and songwriter, whose love of singing and songwriting started right here on Orcas Island where she spent her junior year of high school. She has collaborated with Grammy-nominated producers and artists from around the globe, with regular singles being released on Spotify and other streaming platforms.

Martin Lund is one of the most talented and diverse musicians in the entire universe! He lives and dreams music, in many different colors and cultures. He has entertained Orcas residents for many years and spent several years as the school music teacher.

Woman in the Woods Productions will fund the appearances of all guest presenters.

Jaz Lund.