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BANQUET: Let's step up

| April 27, 2018 1:00 AM

I had the pleasure of attending the 21st annual Human Rights Banquet on Friday evening. As Tony Stewart identified donors who had purchased tables, he mentioned several tables where donors sponsored local high school students. There were students from Coeur d’Alene Charter Academy (sponsored by Gonzaga’s University Center for Global Engagement), Lake City High School, and Coeur d’Alene High School.

When I looked at the Coeur d’Alene Press on Saturday, I saw two stories on the banquet including pictures of the Idaho Hall of Fame inductees and the presenter, Raymond Reyes. I couldn’t help but feel pride in my community and these particular citizens who have been fighting the battle for human rights for many years. However, I kept feeling like there was a story missing. The story of those high school students who are poised to be our future leaders. Leaders in the fight for human rights! As we remember and honor those who have been working for many years on these issues, let us not forget the youth. Let us make a path, give them tools and invite them to engage actively in the process.

Thank you to those who sponsored local student attendance. Thank you to HREI for its youth initiatives. Thank you to the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations for its leadership. I pledge to purchase a table next year and invite young people to attend. What will you do?

KATERI RAY

Core Faculty

School of Public Service Leadership

Department of Social Work

Capella University