“The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically.” — Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

LEWISTON — At Watershed School in Camden, honoring the life and work of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. does not mean taking a day off from classes; indeed, just the opposite as Watershed students engaged fully in a day-long series of workshops at Bates College in Lewiston. Gary Younge, award-wining columnist for the British newspaper The Guardian, kicked off the program with a keynote speech entitled, “Reclaiming King's Dream: Decoding the Myths and Meaning of the Civil Rights Era.”

Followed by a series of workshops and culminating in a debate on the notion that King's Dream is unattainable, the day-away from school engaged Watershed Students in intense and deeply-moving discussions with other young people from around the world.

"I think Dr. King would be proud of what our young people are doing to keep these issues alive and present in our world today," said Watershed School Director Will Galloway.

Columbus Day and Veterans Day are honored similarly by Watershed School, in that they are not considered days off from school, but rather opportunities to learn more about that which is honored. For example, on Columbus Day, Watershed students explore the local geography by hiking 10 miles on the Georges Highland Path; on Veterans Day, students engage directly with those who have served the nation in military uniform and find meaningful ways to give back to the community.

“In light of Dr. King's words, ‘The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically,’ I encourage all of our schools to consider viewing national days of observance not as school holidays, but rather as educational opportunities in the name of those we honor and for the sake of those who love to learn,” said Galloway.