Video and story by Jo Mathis/AAPS District News Editor
Bryant Elementary first grader Khara Gilmore received a standing ovation after reciting Maya Angelou’s “Still I Rise” during NAAPID at Night at Eastern Michigan University.
Khara, who has been blind since birth, happily accepted the assignment after she was heard reciting a small part in a Martin Luther King Jr. Day presentation by teacher assistant Dee Johnson, who was also on the NAAPID planning committee.
“She was amazing,” said Khara’s mother, Jennifer Joseph, a psychologist at Wines Elementary. “She was super excited and so proud of herself. She got a long standing ovation and got the chance to meet Yvonne Dulin, NAAPID Co-Founder and State Representative Sherry Gay-Dagnogo. It was an awesome day for her!”
Joseph said that as soon as Khara walked off stage, she sang: “I did it! I did it! I really, really did it! I put excitement and expression into my poem! I’m so glad I got to do it.”
Then she paused and asked: “Were people really clapping for me?”
Joseph said that she first thought Khara would like to give her MLK Day speech at the event. But she said she’d rather recite a poem.
“She chose that poem and delivered it with confidence and poise,” said Joseph. “I’m extremely proud of her and glad she feels so good about herself.”
Way to go Khara! Soooo proud of you!