The Roselle community came together on Jan. 15 to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Roselle Catholic senior Edwin Engleton was one of three students recognized with a “Spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King Award,” which was presented by Keyanna Jones-Lovett, president elect of the Roselle/Roselle Park Rotary Club, during a service in the Abraham Clark High School auditorium.

The plaque Edwin received states: “You emulate the timeless values of MLK: courage, truth, unconditional love, compassion, dignity, humility and service to others. It is through this spirit and empowering leadership that unites us and gives hope for a future of social justice and equality.” 

Edwin was joined by his parents, Godmother and Roselle Catholic Campus Minister and senior religion teacher Tim Hagan at the event, which began in the cafeteria with breakfast prepared by Abraham Clark’s Culinary Arts Department. 

“Edwin is one of the most selfless people I know,” said Hagan, who graduated from RC in 2003. “He is very involved with many services activities through Roselle Catholic’s campus ministry program. He is a regular at our Bridges program, a homeless outreach organization, and with Bernice’s Place, an afterschool program run by the Elizabeth Coalition to House the Homeless. 

“On top of that, he is ready, at the drop of a hat, to jump in to anything that will help out: unloading a truck of donated bicycles; transporting Christmas gifts and cleaning up after a gift boutique for the Coalition; or peer counseling. If that isn’t enough, he packs up dozens of bags of toiletries and face cloths to distribute to people without homes. He made over 70 for our New Year’s Eve Bridges run, and will make the bags frequently for distributions outside of the regular school trips.”

Keynote speaker Diane Mathis, a local community activist and long-time Roselle resident, spoke about the legacy of Dr. King and his life’s journey. Students from Abraham Clark and Roselle Park High School joined Engleton in being recognized at the event on MLK Day.