Every year, we celebrate the great civil rights activist Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday by having the third Monday in January off.

During this day, people are encouraged to celebrate the birth, life, and dream of Martin Luther King Jr. Four graduates from UD had a dream too. Their dream was to remember MLK's lifetime achievements by having a planned celebration in his name.

This has led to the five-year-running tradition of the MLK Prom, which was held this past Saturday, Jan. 14th at the homes of 1433 and 1435 Frericks Way. This year's prom was a step up from the dance's humble beginnings in a Marycrest dorm room back in 2001. In fact, each year the prom's popularity continues to grow.

This year was the biggest the prom has ever been thanks to the founder's successors Steve Mannhard and Adam Schuster, along with their four other roommates and six wonderful lady neighbors. The men and women had a joint party in their duplex for approximately 300 fellow students decked out in their finest suits and dresses. A photographer, king and queen, and lavish decorations helped to make the prom feel just like high school prom, with a few added perks, such as a bottle of champagne for each couple and three bars set up throughout the houses serving a variety of beverages.

'I loved MLK prom so much that I wanted to keep the tradition going, and it must be passed on from generation to generation' said Mannhard, who will graduate in May 2007.

He hopes that this year only raised the bar for the new standard that MLK prom will now hold, and can't wait for next year's celebration!