Riding bicycles builds physical, emotional and mental strength and for students at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School, strong ties to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the country of Poland.
About two years ago, the school formed an international relationship with an elementary school in Witaszyce, Jarocin County, Poland around their shared love of biking.
On Thursday, the middle schoolers welcomed Bogdan Klich, charge d’affaires of the Republic of Poland, for a celebration on what would have been MLK Jr.’s 97th birthday.
Bicycling “represents the balance needed to bring two communities together,” said School Principal Brandi Overton during the program, Riding a Shared Path. Honoring the Dream. “Social justice knows no borders. It belongs to all people,” she said.
In keeping with the theme, Montgomery County Public Schools Superintendent Thomas Taylor entered the gym on a bicycle, pedaling around the room a few times. “Dr. King was an avid cyclist, and the very fact that we can marry both his passion for bicycling and his passion for building community bridges under one roof is really a miraculous thing.”
Board of Education President Grace Rivera-Oven looked over the bleachers to see the students frantically waving Polish flags and said, “You represent truly what Montgomery County is.” She then listed the qualities of unity, love, patience, understanding and equality for all.
John Glodek, the school’s physical education teacher and the 2025 Maryland Shape Middle School Physical Educator of the Year, started a Riding for Focus program at the middle school. He spoke about “the power of the bike” and how it can reduce stress, make the rider stronger and more confident.
“We are creating a shared path of riding together with Poland,” he declared.
Five student scholars spoke about “The MLK Way” that includes respect, responsibility and integrity.
North Bethesda resident Leszek Sibilski, who founded the United Nation’s Word Bicycle Day on June 3, wondered, “Who would have imagined that Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School in Germantown and the World Bicycle Day Elementary School in Witaszyce would be connected through a shared passion for the bicycle – championed in the spirit of Dr. King?”
Sibilski represented Poland in the 1980 Olympics and was a member of the Polish National Cycling team for 10 years. He told the students he would speak for five minutes, which is the equivalent of riding “just under three miles.”
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