"Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase," breakfast attendees were reminded on Monday in the words of a beloved fallen civil rights leader.

Edward Gomes, who was raised in Wareham, gave the keynote address at the tenth annual Martin Luther King Jr. Community Breakfast and spoke about the lessons people can learn from Martin Luther King Jr.

The breakfast honored a group of driven young people in the community for embodying the spirit of the civil rights leader and reminded them to seize opportunities and keep Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream alive.

The event was held at the Wareham Boys & Girls Club and was the biggest Martin Luther King Jr. breakfast yet with 150 attendees, said Wareham Unit Director Ken Fontes. Last year, there were around 95 people in attendance at the breakfast but at Monday's breakfast, some people had to sit in an overflow room to eat.

“This is one of our most special events,” Fontes said.

The keynote address was given by Gomes, a Wareham High School graduate who serves as a senior associate dean for Trinity College of Arts & Sciences Office of Technology Services at Duke University.

Gomes was introduced by Wareham Police Chief Kevin Walsh, who went to high school with Gomes. Walsh said too often, his job only allows him to see the negative side of Wareham, but events like this give another perspective.

“This is a clear example of the real Wareham and its positive side, which in my opinion far outweighs the negative side but never receives as much attention,” Walsh said.

Gomes spoke to the young people at the breakfast, telling them to take opportunities and work hard to succeed. He said to see failures and mistakes as a learning experience.

“Success could mean a lot of different things,” Gomes said. “Be inquisitive about the world you don’t know about.”

Gomes said young people should learn from Martin Luther King’s example, moving forward without fear of what might be ahead.

“His dream was that you could choose your own path...without someone telling you that path was closed to you,” Gomes said. “It’s up to us to keep that dream alive, and after what I’ve seen and heard today, I feel really good about that.”

The Wareham native received a standing ovation after his speech.

Students from each of Wareham’s schools, the Gleason Family YMCA and the Boys & Girls Club were recognized with Martin Luther King awards. They were chosen for being ambassadors of peace and demonstrating qualities that Martin Luther King stood for.

“In today’s turbulent times, any time we have a chance to share good news, it’s a welcome experience,” said Wareham Public Schools Superintendent Kimberly Shaver-Hood, who presented the awards. The award winners were nominated and voted on by staff.

Dante Andrade received the award for Wareham High School. He is ranked eighth in his senior class and has taken multiple advanced placement and honors level courses. He is a member of the Junior Honor Society and is involved in football and track. Andrade's teachers said he is polite, respectful and kind and goes out of his way to help others.

Tatyana Foskey received the award for Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical School, recognized for her role in the Upper Cape Tech cooperative education program and employment at Wareham Wastewater treatment facility. Foskey has presented to the Upper Cape Tech school committee and to Governor Charlie Baker at a session of the Alliance for Vocational Technical Education in Boston. She volunteers at her church and is a positive role model to underclassmen, her teachers said.

Jahzara Lima was recognized from Minot Forest Elementary School and praised for being a hard worker, kind friend and positive classmate. Lima moved to Wareham in September and has been a leader through her actions.

Tyler Cannon was honored from Decas Elementary School. His teachers said he is supportive of his classmates, particularly students in need. He is an athlete but spends most of his recess time playing with others and including all students. He strives to be successful in the classroom and is a positive role model.

Alton Jerome McCane IV from Wareham Middle School was awarded. The eighth grade student is known for his quiet leadership, faculty said. His teachers said he his thoughtful and determined in the classroom, going above and beyond to make the school a better place. He smiles to peers who are having a bad day and helps teachers clean their room after a project.

Justin Lopes received the award for Bishop Stang High School. He lives in Wareham and is a focused student, involved with his school's campus ministry program. He was a varsity starter on the state championship basketball team his freshman year. Lopes aspires to be a model for his siblings and younger student-athletes by putting academics first and treating others with respect.

Jordan DeMedeiros was one of two students recognized from the Gleason Family YMCA for his strong work ethic, dedication to his ideals and desire to please others. At the YMCA, DeMedeiros has helped with technical support during the Gleason Family YMCA Riptide Swim Team home meets. He is a freshman at the Sturgis West Charter School in Hyannis and has received the Gold Presidential Academic Award for having a grade of A in all subjects in all quarters throughout middle school.

Mace Longfield was also chosen to receive the reward by the Gleason Family YMCA. Longfield is a first-year student at Upper Cape High School and has been involved in the YMCA as a member and volunteer for many years. He makes time to help with many of the YMCA's family events, including Healthy Kids Day, Flashlight Easter Egg Hunt, 5K Road Race and member summer cookout. He checks in with everyone at the YMCA to see how he can help them and makes time to greet children, staff, adults and other members and guests.

Meadow Diede was recognized by the Boys & Girls Club for her dedication to her homework and her drive to complete assignments independently. She is kind to staff and other members of the Boys & Girls Club and she tries to help in any way she can. She was one of the players in the club's Christmas play and helped other players with costumes and set designs. She is also a member of the robotics club.

Anthony Peluso was also awarded by the Boys & Girls Club, acknowledged for his respectful and helpful attitude. Because of his maturity, last summer Peluso was invited to become a junior staff member. He is held to the same expectations as the staff. It is a privilege to watch him grow into the exceptional young man he is becoming, said adults at the Boys & Girls Club.

“These are wonderful young achievers who are very deserving of this award,” said State Representative Susan Williams Gifford, presenting the students with certificates for their character, leadership, determination and belief in equality and justice.

Jack Coughlan was presented with the Community Service Award for his “countless hours of dedication and hard work” over the last 10 years, Fontes said. Coughlan has volunteered with the youth of the community and contributed financially for the last decade.