Local high school students have until the afternoon of Feb. 6 to apply for the Rep. Roger Freeman Memorial award, highlighting their pursuit of justice, diversity, compassion and integrity.

The award contest is open to 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th grade students from Federal Way. It’s organized by the city’s diversity commission and the public school district.

All contestants must submit an application and an essay, song, poem, video or other piece of art by 5 p.m. Monday, Feb. 6. For applications and more details, visit www.cityoffederalway.com/content/diversity-commission.

The submission must represent four characteristics and core values that Rep. Freeman is remembered for:

• Justice – advocating for those who lack the means to help themselves.

• Diversity – inclusion of all.

• Compassion – humility and volunteerism; concern for others.

• Integrity – truthful, honest and reliable.

The applicant must explain how they follow these characteristics and core values in their everyday life and how they plan to use them in the future.

Up to eight winning students will receive $250. Last year’s winners were 9th grader Adiv Dholakia, 10th grader Angie Avellaneda-Arias, 11th grader Crystal Morales and 12th grader Ndeye Diop.

For more information regarding this award, contact diversity@cityoffederalway.com or call 253-835-2653.

ABOUT ROGER FREEMAN

Roger Freeman was born in Omaha, Nebraska, but came to call Federal Way home.

Freeman began representing Federal Way as a member of the city’s volunteer Human Services Commission, where he helped lead efforts to organize the community’s annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day event.

He was elected to the City Council in 2010, and in 2012, to represent the Federal Way area and the 30th District in the state House of Representatives.

Freeman had only just taken office when, in 2013, he disclosed that he had been diagnosed with cancer. He died in October 2014 at the age of 48 and was honored in 2015 by lawmakers and Gov. Jay Inslee.