Eighth-graders Olivia Preston, right, and Mary Mcaller, center, hold signs alongside Maya Reiter during the Sequim Middle School Martin Luther King Day Jr. walk.

Eighth-graders Olivia Preston, right, and Mary Mcaller, center, hold signs alongside Maya Reiter during the Sequim Middle School Martin Luther King Day Jr. walk.

Sequim youth walk celebrates Martin Luther King Jr. Day

By Erin Hawkins

Olympic Peninsula News Group

SEQUIM — The words of Martin Luther King Jr. were found on colorful posters made by middle school students as they walked the streets of downtown Sequim to demonstrate their support for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Sequim Middle School students walked the block down North Sequim Avenue onto West Washington Street and continued onto North Third Avenue back to their school Friday.

This is the second year hundreds of SMS students participated in the event. While most students walked with their peers, others, such as seventh-grader Jack Van de Wege, held signs that read such sayings as “Injustice Anywhere is a threat to Justice Everywhere.”

Sixth-graders Blake McGowan and Perry Sharpes walked together as they showed off their signs, which said “Freedom to All! SMS” and “Honor King — End Racism!”

King’s words were found on eighth-grader Olivia Preston’s poster, which read “I Have a Dream,” while fellow eighth-grader Mary McAleer held a sign representative of the youthful demonstration itself: “Together We Stand.”

Students throughout the Sequim School District observed Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday as a school holiday.

________

Erin Hawkins is a reporter with the Olympic Peninsula News Group, which is composed of Sound Publishing newspapers Peninsula Daily News, Sequim Gazette and Forks Forum. Reach her at ehawkins@sequimgazette.com.

Eighth-grader Olivia Preston, left, shows a sign that reads “I Have a Dream” while seventh-grader Jack Van de Wege, right, holds a sign that says “Injustice Anywhere is a threat to Justice Everywhere.” (Erin Hawkins/Olympic Peninsula News Group)

Eighth-grader Olivia Preston, left, shows a sign that reads “I Have a Dream” while seventh-grader Jack Van de Wege, right, holds a sign that says “Injustice Anywhere is a threat to Justice Everywhere.” (Erin Hawkins/Olympic Peninsula News Group)

More in News

Commander R.J. Jameson, center, exits the change of command ceremony following his assumption of the role on Friday at the American Legion Hall in Port Townsend. (Elijah Sussman/Peninsula Daily News)
Naval Magazine Indian Island sees change in command

Cmdr. R.J. Jameson steps into role after duties across world

Allen Chen.
Physician officer goes back to roots

OMC’s new hire aims to build services

f
Readers give $111K in donations to Home Fund

Donations can be made for community grants this spring

A ship passes by Mount Baker in the Strait of Juan de Fuca as seen from the Port Angeles City Pier on Wednesday morning. The weather forecast continues to be chilly this week as overnight temperatures are expected to hover around freezing. Daytime highs are expected to be in the mid-40s through the weekend. (Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News)
Off in the distance …

A ship passes by Mount Baker in the Strait of Juan de… Continue reading

Creative District to transfer to PT

Creating year-round arts economy program’s goal

Officers elected to Port of PT’s Industrial Development Corporation

Surveyor to determine value of 1890 wooden tugboat

Clallam County to install anti-human trafficking signs

Prosecuting attorney to challenge other jurisdictions to follow suit

Portion of Old Olympic Highway to be resurfaced

Project will cost about $951,000

Dona Cloud and Kathy Estes, who call themselves the “Garbage Grannies,” volunteer each Wednesday to pick up trash near their neighborhood on the west side of Port Angeles. They have been friends for years and said they have been doing their part to keep the city clean for five years now. (Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News)
Garbage grannies

Dona Cloud and Kathy Estes, who call themselves the “Garbage Grannies,” volunteer… Continue reading

Director: OlyCAP’s services contributed $3.4M in 2024

Nonprofit provided weatherization updates, energy and utility assistance

Clallam Transit purchases vehicles for interlink service

Total ridership in December was highest in seven years, official says