James M. Quinn Elementary School celebrated the life of Martin Luther King Jr. with messages of peace.

Students laughed and sang their way through the annual Peacemakers Assembly, which featured songs from the first and third graders, peace poster prepared by the second graders and fourth grader’s reciting a poem in honor of King.

Martin Luther King Day was deemed a holiday in 1983, when President Ronald Reagan signed legislation from Congress into law. The holiday was moved from January 15, King’s birthday, to the third Monday in January. Because school will be closed on Monday, the school celebrated King on Friday.

“It’s nice for the kids to know why we celebrate Martin Luther King Day,” said Assistant Principal Audra Thomas. “It’s all about peace, love and unity at Quinn.”

Following music teacher Shirley Guerreiro’s musical accompaniment with the first and third graders, Principal Colin Grimsey asked the students what they knew about King.

“He changed the world,” said one student, as another shouted that “people weren’t treating other people right.”

When asked what the goal was of King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, one student said that “he wants us to share and care together.”

In honor of King's legacy, Quinn is establishing a “peace wall,” promoting sportsmanship and the inclusion of others.

“During gym class, the teachers will send the students to the wall to sign their name if they exhibit sportsmanlike behaviors,” said Thomas. “We want to teach the students to make sure they welcome and include others.”

Grimsey saidd that the assembly is great for the school.

“It incorporates ideas that are timeless, and I hope the students integrate these values into their daily lives,” said Grimsey.

Assistant Principal Stephanie Yermalovich said that as she witnessed her first peacemaker rally, she was so amazed at how everyone came together and supported one another.

“I’m so impressed and honored to be a part of it,” said Yermalovich. “They all did such a great job.”

King's words rang true at the rally: “Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek, but a means by which we arrive at that goal.”