Gooden Blog

Each year, Martin Luther King Jr. Day offers our community a meaningful pause. A time to reflect, to listen, and to recommit ourselves to the values of justice, dignity, and love that Dr. King championed throughout his life. At The Gooden School, we observe this day not only as a national holiday but as an essential extension of who we are as a welcoming, inclusive Episcopal school.

Dr. King believed deeply in the power of education to shape hearts and minds. His vision of a beloved community, one grounded in respect, equity, and compassion, aligns closely with Gooden’s mission to nurture the whole child and to foster a community where every individual is known, valued, and supported. Taking this day off from our regular school schedule allows us to honor his legacy thoughtfully, creating space for reflection, dialogue, and service beyond the classroom.

A cherished tradition at Gooden is our Middle School Martin Luther King Jr. writing reflection, led each year by Mr. Williamson. Through this assignment, students are invited to engage deeply with Dr. King’s legacy, his words, his actions, and his enduring relevance in today’s world. As part of this work, student essays are submitted to the Pasadena MLK Community Coalition Essay Contest, a regional opportunity that encourages young people to think critically about social justice and community impact.

This year’s contest theme, “Resilience and Renewal: Social Justice, Equality, and Community Empowerment,” challenged students to reflect on how Dr. King’s teachings continue to guide and inspire meaningful change. Gooden students rose to the occasion with thoughtful, powerful writing that demonstrated both academic excellence and deep moral reflection.

We are proud to share that this year, Odin Lee, an 8th-grade student whose essay stood out for its insight, clarity, and heartfelt connection to the theme, will be honored with an award. On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Odin will read his winning essay at a special ceremony in Pasadena, giving the broader community the opportunity to hear how Dr. King’s legacy continues to inspire the next generation of leaders and changemakers. We will hold a special chapel service honoring the Rev. Dr. King on Wednesday, where Odin will share his essay. We warmly invite families and community members to join us for this special moment of reflection and celebration.

At Gooden, we believe that honoring Dr. King means more than remembering the past; it means living out his values every day. Through our commitment to inclusivity, service, and respect for the dignity of every human being, we strive to build the beloved community he envisioned. MLK Day reminds us that this work is ongoing, and that even our youngest voices have the power to lead, inspire, and create change.

We are grateful for the opportunity to reflect together as a community and to celebrate the voices of our students who carry Dr. King’s message forward with hope and purpose.