Young people's life dreams, dancing, song and speech were the highlight of the 13th annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Prayer Breakfast in South Los Angeles.

"Make no mistake! I am somebody!" was the confident declaration of each member of the student council at Holy Name of Jesus School after he or she told hundreds in the audience at Verbum Dei High School of their career aspirations. Among the dreams were plans to work as a doctor, real estate agent, pilot, women's basketball player, and president of the United States.

The crowd rewarded the young people's convictions and faith in themselves with a rousing standing ovation.

Hosted by the African American Catholic Center for Evangelization, the Jan. 15 breakfast took place in Verbum Dei's gymnasium. "Serving one another with hearts full of grace" was the theme of this year's breakfast, and David Thomas Jr., a senior at Loyola High School, was the master of ceremonies.

The New Hope Mass Choir sang stirring songs of perseverance, fortitude and faith in the face of the weary struggle against racial oppression. "After you've done all you can, you just stand," the group sang.

Lauren Warner, a junior at St. Mary's Academy in Inglewood, said that ending the cycle of drug use, homelessness and hunger, is possible if "we work together as a people." Offering a broad challenge to participants to continue serving in their community as Dr. King did, she asked "What are you doing to help others?"

Over and over a quality education based in a strong moral foundation was mentioned as the key to success for young African Americans.

Cardinal Roger Mahony held up Jesuit-run Verbum Dei as a positive example because of its innovative curriculum. The all boys' high school includes rigorous classroom instruction as well as work experience at some of the most prestigious companies around the city.

"I have so much pride in Verbum Dei High School," said the cardinal. "If we have this go across all Los Angeles --- the same quality education, the same employment opportunities --- then a lot of the inequality will disappear."

Ethan Smith, a senior and a member of the school's winning varsity football team, praised the education he's received at Verbum Dei and the hope it instills in the mostly African American student body.

"The Jesuit tradition here at 'The Verb' is centered around three SLR's that the students here demonstrate every day," said Smith. "The three SLR's require students to be spiritually rooted, socially conscious and intellectually competent."

Smith and fellow student Christopher Luna presented Cardinal Mahony and Los Angeles Councilmember Janice Hahn with new baseball caps sporting the football team's recent CIF-Southern Section championship.

Hahn praised those involved with the success of the school saying, "You are taking young men and really preparing them to be wonderful members of our community and our society."

The cardinal offered his full support to all the elementary schools and high schools "which together provide a new future for the community of Los Angeles."

The showcasing of youth talent was "exemplary of King's dream," Floy Hawkins, a parishioner at St. Brigid Church in Los Angeles, told The Tidings. "We have really passed it on to our children. It's taken root, and it inspires another level of hope."