Wednesday, September 30, 2026
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Bryce Buskirk from Northwest Expedition Academy smiles as he receives applause Thursday after reading his essay about kindness at the Martin Luther King Jr. Human Rights Celebration.

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Fifth graders participate in 39th annual Martin Luther King Jr. celebration
January 16, 2026 1:08 a.m.

Fifth graders participate in 39th annual Martin Luther King Jr. celebration

Fifth graders participate in 39th annual Martin Luther King Jr. celebration

Fifth graders know that kindness really does make the world a better place. "You don't have to be famous or grown up to make a difference," Northwest Expedition Academy fifth grader Bryce Buskirk said Thursday morning. "Sometimes, all it takes is one small kind choice to start a chain that changes everything." Micah Linder, a Dalton Elementary fifth grader, said kindness is like hot cocoa on a winter day. "It brings warmth to the heart and brings comfort and joy to the sad soul," he said. "It brings a soothing presence, often exceeding expectations in how it makes people feel." Kindness can spark a positive reaction in others, he said. "It spreads light in the dark," Micah said.