For the 39th year, Malverne Union Free School District students and their families celebrated the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at the annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Thursday evening.

Malverne High School junior Savannah Green, one of the hosts for the evening, says she looks forward to the celebration every year and hopes younger students take away an important lesson.

"I want them to take away the fact that anyone can do it,” she said. “[Dr. King] had a dream, you can have a dream too."

Malverne is no stranger to the work of Dr. King. It's been over 60 years since he visited Malverne to help desegregate schools in the district.

Malverne Schools Superintendent Dr. Lorna Lewis believes Dr. King would be proud of the work that’s been done in Malverne since he visited in 1965.

"We are the first district in New York that was [...] commanded by the state to desegregate," she said.

Norma Britt says she remembers that historic day.

"My cousin came and got me and I jumped on his bicycle and I saw Dr. King getting back into his car,” she said. 

Britt, along with Florence Balay, were recipients of this year’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award. 

Balay has taught in the district for over 20 years, serves as the District Supervisor of STEM, and is a Black female trailblazer in STEM.

"You have to have it in you. Believe in yourself. Trust that you can do it. Education is the way out,” said Balay.

Britt, known as “Mama Britt” to those in the community, first worked as a teacher’s assistant in the schools and continues to mentor and care for students in the community.

She says students need to remember all that Dr. King fought to improve, what he referred to, as his “beloved community.”

"We really take a lot for granted. Don't take it for granted cause it wasn't always the way it is now,” she said. “And we still have work to do."

Students also sang, danced and gave presentations on Dr. King’s work during the celebration.