This January, Operation PUSH (People United to Serve Humanity) conducted a contest where students recited from memory one of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s speeches. Balmoral Elementary fifth grader, Theresa Sims, decided to enter the contest. When asked why she entered, Theresa said, "I thought it would be fun and a good experience for me." Theresa won a bronze medal for her speech, "I've Been to the Mountaintop". She selected this one because her mom read it to her and she liked what Dr. King said in the speech. Theresa was honored at the 22^nd Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship Breakfast Anniversary on January 16, 2012 at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel and Towers. She received her bronze medal from Rev. Jesse Jackson, founder of Operation PUSH. Theresa said the best part of the whole process was going up on stage and receiving her medal from the Rev. Jesse Jackson. Below is Dr. King's speech that Theresa recited to earn this recognition.

"Well, I don't know what will happen now. We've got some difficult days ahead. But it really doesn't matter with me now, because I've been to the mountaintop. And I don't mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life — longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over, and I've seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land. So I'm happy, tonight. I'm not worried about anything, I'm not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord."
— Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

District 201-U congratulates Theresa on her outstanding accomplishment. This speech was Dr. King's last speech in which he recited in Memphis, Tennessee on April 3, 1968. He was in Memphis supporting the city's sanitation workers who were on strike protesting low pay and poor working conditions. On April 4, 1968, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in Memphis.