Penn State and the State College area celebrated the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. yesterday with music, speeches and a march along College Avenue.

Hundreds of middle school students from the Centre Region, clad in winter coats and gloves, joined the event.

"We must work diligently both as individuals and as a group to overcome the barriers to freedom and show that peace and justice can prevail," said Penn State President Graham Spanier, speaking from the steps of Old Main.

"As members of a university community, we are in a unique position to uphold Dr. King's vision," Spanier continued.

Middle school students also took the podium to read some of King's words.

Quentin Wright, 11, a Mount Nittany Middle School student, could barely reach the podium, but smiled and delivered his interpretation of King's 1963 "I Have a Dream" speech.

"I have a dream that when my children go to school they have no doubt that they will be safe," Wright said.

"This story needs to be retold over and over," said Raushanah Khaaliq, the program's master of ceremonies, speaking of King's message.

The crowd walked from Old Main down College Avenue, then turned up Shortlidge Road to climb the hill to the HUB-Robeson Center.

Inside, Penn State administrators, faculty, staff and students enjoyed two performance groups.

Essence of Joy sang and danced, with and without grand piano accompaniment.

The State College Area High School Drill Team — more casually known as the Hot Stepperz — performed step dances while the audience cheered along.

To end the program, the audience formed a circle that filled the room and sang:

"We shall overcome, we shall overcome, we shall overcome some day! Oh, deep in my heart, I do believe, we shall overcome someday!"