The 16th annual Martin Luther King Community Celebration was held Jan. 19 at Decatur High School in Federal Way.

The event was presented by the Federal Way Diversity Commission and the MLK Celebration Committee. Federal Way’s AmeriCorps program also played a vital role in staging the event, which culminated in the lighting of the Community Flame.

According to event organizers: “The lighting of our Community Flame symbolizes the people of Federal Way coming together as one community. Each time the flame is lit, we are reminded that community-building is an ongoing process, taking constant work to bring it to reality. Let us all be dedicated to this constant work of cultivating community. As we are, we will be graced with a great place to live for everyone who calls our city home.”

Performers

U.S. Coast Guard color guard

Ocheami of West Africa

The Y Dance Company

Federal Way High School Pacific Islander Club

Kayla Grant

Iriany “Nani” Trujillo

Award winners

High school poetry: Brittani Evans, first place; Anissa Hunter, second place; Kendal Feider, third place.

Elementary school poster contest: Hojae Kwon, first place; Jessie Dabin Lee, second place.

Middle school poster contest: Rachel Arnold, first place; Lauren Reynolds, second; Carlston Olufson, third.

High school poster contest: Becky Mahoney, first place; Jeborah Bradley, second; Marissa Hsu and Danine Polus, tie for third.

Elementary school essay: Jason Palmer, first place; Aaron Mundy, second; Julia Walker, third.

Middle school essay: Jevaughn Palmer, first place; Juhui Seo, second; Ingrid Smith, third.

High school essay: Brittany Caldwell, first place; Jevoy Palmer, second; Emily Victor, third.

Volunteers

The community celebration was emceed by Dr. Andre Sims and presented by the Federal Way Diversity Commission and the MLK Celebration Committee. Key volunteers include Ron Walker, chairman of the MLK Celebration Committee; Jaye Zern, chairman of the diversity commission; Greg Baruso, director of the Community Service Project; Penny Howard, director of the literacy/art student contest; Grace Rawsthorne, director of vendor tables; John Hwang, diversity commission; Chris Brown, diversity commission; Lawrence Yapp, diversity commission; DeBorah Little, diversity commission; Susan Honda, diversity commission; Lynette Hynden, city staff; and Scott Pingel, city staff.

Community Flame candle lighters

K.C. Jung, Federal Way Korean liaison

Dr. Mark Marshall, principal at Thomas Jefferson High School

Jim Belford, branch manager at Woodstone Credit Union

Jon McIntosh, senior pastor at Grace Church

Brian Davenport, music director, Federal Way Symphony

Jack Dovey, mayor of Federal Way

Learn more

To learn more, e-mail Ron Walker at hopenation@gmail.com.