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MLK Day Celebration Presents Scholarship, Honors Gainesville Community Leader

In Gainesville, Martin Luther King Jr. continues to change lives.

On Monday morning, people gathered around King's memorial statue downtown to see Vivian Haynes inducted into the MLK Commission of Florida's Hall of Fame.

Haynes' picture was added to the memorial, honoring the dreams she helped others to follow.

One girl's dream of going to college is being granted today. Joni Perkins, a senior at Santa Fe High School, received a $10,000 scholarship from the commission.

Hundreds gathered in Bo Diddley Community Plaza to see Perkins accept her award before marching to the MLK Multipurpose Center on Waldo Road.

Perkins will use the scholarship money next fall at Florida State University.

Ayana is a reporter for WUFT News and can be contacted by calling 352-392-6397 or emailing news@wuft.org.