Mayor Keith Gaskin and keynote speaker Tyson Cunningham shake hands at the Martin Luther King Jr. Day Breakfast and Day of Service held on Monday at Lion Hills Center. Cunningham spoke about the importance of following King’s example and giving oneself to a cause. Robert Scott/Dispatch Staff

AJ Page, a Mississippi State University student, picks up trash at J.L. King Park in north Starkville Monday morning. Page was one of many MSU students participating in the MLK Day of Service. There were 21 volunteer locations spanning Oktibbeha and Clay counties, and service began early Monday morning. Jessica Lindsey/Dispatch Staff

Tammie Holmes and Dikara Kinley pick up supply boxes from Angela Williams with United Way of Lowndes and Noxubee Counties. The “Tools for School” supply drive was this year’s service project, and those in attendance were asked to pick up boxes and fill them with supplies from the list. The boxes will be given to the 499 area teachers that registered. Robert Scott/Dispatch Staff

Amya Bishop, an elementary-age girl from Starkville, held a sign that read, “I am the dream,” on Monday at Unity Park. People gathered Monday afternoon at Unity Park on Dr. Douglas L. Conner Drive to honor Oktibbeha County civil rights activists W. Bernard Crump and Ava F. Moore. Jessica Lindsey/Dispatch Staff

Dorothy McClung Lewis sings the National Anthem as the Columbus Air Force Base Honor Guard members Josh Mann, Dillon Himes and Victor Carrillo present the nation’s colors. Robert Scott/Dispatch Staff

From left in front to behind: CJ Davis, Amya Bishop, Brealyn Rogers, Kennedy Davis, Tristen Bishop, Martesa Flowers and Nyla Bishop brought signs to Unity Park Monday afternoon. Many gathered to honor the life of Martin Luther King Jr. and Oktibbeha County civil rights activists W. Bernard Crump and Ava F. Moore. Jessica Lindsey/Dispatch Staff