Former students of Martin Luther King Jr. School attend Friday’s 50th anniversary celebration honoring the legacy of the northeast Portland being named in honor of the civil rights leader. Formerly called Highland School, the name was changed on April 24, 1968 just 20 days after King’s assassination in Memphis, Tenn.

The student drill team at Martin Luther King Jr. School performs at Friday’s celebration honoring the 50 years of legacy since the school was named in honor of King.

West African dance is performed by students from Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School during a “Celebrate the Legacy” event honoring the tenants of social justice and equality.

Martin Luther King Jr. School Principal Jill Sage at the 50th anniversary celebration of the school’s renaming.

Supporters pose in front of the first sign, created by students in 1968, unveiling Martin Luther King Jr. as the new name for the former Highland School, during a 50th anniversary community celebration on Friday night honoring the school’s legacy. Shei’Meka Owens, King Parent Teacher Association president, and the daughter of Ronda Chiles, who as a sixth grade student at King 50 years ago helped lobby for the name change is pictured (second from right). Owens now has two daughters that attend King. The others pictured are King PTA leaders Paul Manson, May Wang, Megan Newell-Ching and Kenny Butler.