Despite snow and cold temperatures, the Storm King School community came together to honor the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through service, reflection, and learning. On Monday, January 19, 2026, students and faculty commemorated MLK Day with a full day of activities and hands-on service projects that embodied the spirit of Dr. King’s enduring legacy.

The morning began at an All School Meeting where Head of School Lisa Shambaugh kicked off the day with a reading from Dr. King’s Letter from Birmingham Jail. “As you engage in your acts of service today, and as you learn more about Dr. King and others who led the Civil Rights Movement, I hope you’ll reflect on his words, and how they resonate with events in this country and around the world, even today.”

Building on Ms. Shambaugh’s remarks, The Storm King School’s Black Student Union (BSU) led the remainder of the morning program. Students, parents, faculty, and staff heard student presentations highlighting influential Black figures, experienced impactful speeches and poetry, and watched videos focused on the American Civil Rights Movement. These reflections on history and activism underscored the continued relevance of Dr. King’s work and sparked thoughtful conversations which carried on throughout the day.

Following the meeting, students enjoyed donuts and sweet treats provided by the SKS Parents Association. For the remainder of the day, students and faculty participated in learning sessions and volunteered for service activities both on and off campus. On campus, groups cleaned and organized shared spaces, including the Art Center and Theatre. Off campus, students assisted with organizing supplies at the Newburgh Armory Unity Center, sorted food at the Hudson Valley Regional Food Bank, and lent helping hands at La Iglesia El Buen Pastor soup kitchen. Others removed invasive species at the Hudson Highlands Nature Museum, helped clean up Donahue Park in Cornwall, refreshed painted walls at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Newburgh, and spent time visiting residents at the Sapphire Nursing Home.

In the gymnasium, the New York Blood Center Blood Drive saw an impressive turnout, with donors braving the weather to support this life-saving effort. The spirit of service extended even further as students created scores of handwritten cards for various organizations in support of cancer patients, residents of mental health facilities, and first responders. Together, these acts of kindness reflected the true purpose of the day.

Thank you to everyone who participated and helped make this year’s MLK Day of Service so impactful. By lending their time and effort, the Storm King School community honored Dr. King’s vision and showed that even small acts of service can have a lasting and meaningful impact.