ABINGDON, Va. - Emory & Henry College freshman Zeke Workman (Dalzell, S.C.) marched in the rain with hundreds of other residents of Southwest Virginia in remembrance of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Saturday, January 18.

The Appalachian Peace Education Center hosted the 33rd annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration. The celebration included a march from Charles Wesley United Methodist Church down Main Street to Abingdon United Methodist Church singing songs and repeating chants from King's career.

The event concluded with a community event in the sanctuary of Abingdon United Methodist Church, where various speakers tackled this year's theme of "The time is always right to do what is right." Students from high schools in Washington County and local colleges were asked to write about the theme and read their compositions at the event.

Workman's winning essay took a look at the work of King from a global perspective. He says the research forced him to observe King from a very personal perspective.

"I didn't really know if I had a chance to win the contest, but my thought was regardless of winning or not, I would still be learning more about Dr. King, and we can't study his life enough," said Workman.

Workman spotlighted the story of Malala Yousafzai, a Pakistani activist for female education. Yousafzai advocated for female education after an extremist group came to her town and started to ban residents of the communities from participating in certain activities. One of these prohibitions was the education of female students.

"Dr. King reminds us that everyone can use their platform in life to do something that serves the greater good of the world," added Workman. "King's influence shows that you don't have to be well-known to make a difference in an individual's life."

Workman is a member of the men's soccer and tennis teams. The research into his essay has inspired him to find other ways to make a difference in the Emory & Henry campus. Workman has been encouraged to apply for a leadership position as a resident advisor (RA) in the housing office.

"I want to be someone that helps those in need, and the RA position will allow me to help mentor students at this crucial point in their life," said Workman.

Workman is currently double majoring in economics and political science with a minor in English. He hopes to attend law school following the completion of his undergraduate degree.

---E&H---