Area High School Seniors Lead the Annual Dr. Martin King Jr. Parade as Grand Marshals {video}
Hardeman County senior high school class presidents, Trinity Avent of Bolivar Central High School (BCHS) and Mariah McKinnie of Middleton High School (MHS), were selected as Grand Marshals for the 32nd Annual Hardeman County Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade, which was held on Saturday, January 13, 2024, in Bolivar. The parade was held against a backdrop of chilly weather, but a perfect sunny day for the more than 40 participants walking and driving in celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. who made a significant impact in our community, the country, and the world.
About five years ago, the Hardeman County Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade Committee started inviting the senior class presidents from both area high schools to be co-grand marshals of the annual parade. For some reason, each year, only one president from either school would be available to attend. Not until this year, in 2024, that both senior presidents were available to participate in what almost seemed destiny in a year when the federal holiday fell on King’s actual birthday, January 15.
“We went to this model, because it was clear to me, we needed to be using, developing, and priming our youth to be leaders and take on the mantel of responsibility. The whole concept [of leadership] is important to become a part of their way of life, growth, and development as they go forward to school, college or wherever they go. They are already leaders because they were elected presidents of their classes,” said Monroe Woods, Chairman of the Hardeman County Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade Committee.
Woods hopes the students see leadership as a way of having an impact and making a difference in their future – personally and professionaly.
Trinity Avent is a 2024 senior at BCHS. She will attend Jackson State Community College and plans to study education. Mariah McKinnie is a 2024 senior at MHS. She will attend Northwest Community College and plans to study anesthesiology.
Ms. Avent and Ms. McKinnie have known about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. since they were young, recognizing the impact he has made as a servant and leader. They were both excited and proud to represent their schools in the parade.
You may watch the full video of the 32nd Annual Hardeman County Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade below.
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