It is rare that a community has the opportunity to feel the pride of sending one of their own to compete on the world stage of the Winter Olympics. Federal Way is blessed: We have a couple of Olympic short track speed skating competitors representing the USA, Washington state and the City of Federal Way.

Apolo Ohno has been to the Olympics, went to school in Federal Way with my kids (so we know of Apolo’s early life), started skating at Pattison’s West and now claims Seattle as home.

J.R. Celski is the son of Bob and Sue Celski both graduates of Federal Way High School class of 1974. Bob played football and Sue was a cheerleader. Both have supported and sacrificed beyond belief for J.R.’s quest and road to the Olympics. Bob recovered from a broken back suffered in a football game only to come back and play with more determination. J.R. too has come back from a horrific accident suffered at the Olympic trials in September 2009 and is strong and ready.

Living across the street and attending Sherwood Forest Elementary and following his brothers through Illahee Middle School, J.R. Celski claims the City of Federal Way as home. Taking a serious shot at short track speed skating meant moving to California for coaching from one of the sport’s best, Wilma Boomstra. J.R. did come back for his junior year at Todd Beamer High School, recovering from a back injury. And with the push toward this Olympics, he graduated from Lakewood High School in California with top honors.

The Federal Way High School class of 1974 is honoring Bob and Sue Celski with a reception at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 6, at the Federal Way City Hall. Donations will be accepted to help the parents of J.R. Celski. The FWHS class of ’74 invites you to come out and help us send Bob and Sue Celski to Vancouver.

Bruce Honda, FWHS class of ’74