!["Have a Dream Speech” about to be recited by Watkins Elementary students. (WTOP/Kristi King)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/kking-1.jpg)
![As classmates recite "I Have A Dream" Taylor Young and Nina Allen 2nd graders cheer them on. (WTOP/Kristi King)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/kking-2.jpg)
![Fifth-grader Myles Nixon opens the "I Have A Dream" reading by Watkins Elementary School students. (WTOP/Kristi King)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/kking-3.jpg)
![Mary and 2yr old Luke Lovelace have a 3rd grader at Watkins also watching the "I Have A Dream" reading (WTOP/Kristi King)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/kking-4.jpg)
![8yr old Owen Black of Watkins Elem at "I Have A Dream" reading by 5th gr class (WTOP/Kristi King)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/kking-5.jpg)
![NPS staff Charles Price & Alonzo Carroll are charmed by 5th graders reading "I Have A Dream"](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/kking-6.jpg)
Watkins Elem Principal Elena Bell wraps up "I Have A Dream" reading by 5th graders @CHCSPTA #WTOP #MLK pic.twitter.com/xslRqhqAYj
— Kristi King (@kingWTOP) January 15, 2016
![Triumphant Watkins Elemen 5th grade readers of "I Have A Dream" (WTOP/Kristi King)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/kking-7.jpg)
![Ahn'aste Summers & Frances Williams watch William's 5th grader help recite "I Have A Dream" (WTOP/Kristi King)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/kking-8.jpg)
Sign wavers Taylor Young & Nina Allen 2nd graders at Watkins enjoy the big finish at "I Have A Dream" reading #WTOP pic.twitter.com/I91ElMDUzr
— Kristi King (@kingWTOP) January 15, 2016
![Watkins Elem reading of "I Have A Dream" at the Lincoln Memorial founder Amy Wertheimer "It's delightful/incredible"](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/kking-9.jpg)
![Pat Clausen, grandmother of Watkins Elem 1st grader at "I Have A Dream" reading (WTOP/Kristi King)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/kking-10.jpg)
About to start! "Have a Dream Speech” by Watkins Elementary students #WTOP #MLK #LincolnMemorial pic.twitter.com/nDPNUY5R9C
— Kristi King (@kingWTOP) January 15, 2016
!["Have a Dream Speech” about to be recited by Watkins Elementary students. (WTOP/Kristi King)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/kking-1-260x174.jpg)
![As classmates recite "I Have A Dream" Taylor Young and Nina Allen 2nd graders cheer them on. (WTOP/Kristi King)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/kking-2-260x174.jpg)
![Fifth-grader Myles Nixon opens the "I Have A Dream" reading by Watkins Elementary School students. (WTOP/Kristi King)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/kking-3-260x174.jpg)
![Mary and 2yr old Luke Lovelace have a 3rd grader at Watkins also watching the "I Have A Dream" reading (WTOP/Kristi King)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/kking-4-260x174.jpg)
![8yr old Owen Black of Watkins Elem at "I Have A Dream" reading by 5th gr class (WTOP/Kristi King)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/kking-5-260x174.jpg)
![NPS staff Charles Price & Alonzo Carroll are charmed by 5th graders reading "I Have A Dream"](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/kking-6-260x174.jpg)
![Triumphant Watkins Elemen 5th grade readers of "I Have A Dream" (WTOP/Kristi King)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/kking-7-260x174.jpg)
![Ahn'aste Summers & Frances Williams watch William's 5th grader help recite "I Have A Dream" (WTOP/Kristi King)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/kking-8-260x174.jpg)
![Watkins Elem reading of "I Have A Dream" at the Lincoln Memorial founder Amy Wertheimer "It's delightful/incredible"](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/kking-9-260x174.jpg)
![Pat Clausen, grandmother of Watkins Elem 1st grader at "I Have A Dream" reading (WTOP/Kristi King)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/kking-10-260x174.jpg)
WASHINGTON — Dozens of children gathered on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial Friday to deliver the “I Have A Dream Speech” of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
“This is a wonderful opportunity the Park Service gives us every year,” says teacher Amy Wertheimer, who organizes the effort with students from Watkins Elementary in Southeast. “We are the only school in the entire country that’s been asked to do this.”
In addition to remembering and reciting their individual lines the children learn what Dr. King was trying to accomplish. “In 2015-16 language – what he actually meant,” Wertheimer explains.
The recitation always happens on the Friday before the Martin Luther King Jr. federal holiday. This year, that happens to correspond with the King’s actual birthday. “Which makes it even more exciting,” Wertheimer said with a grin.
Editor’s note: The full speech has been edited to remove pauses between children walking to the podium.