Students in grades Pre-K-12 are invited to submit essays for Federal Way’s annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Celebration. Entries should incorporate this year’s theme, “I have a Dream for Federal Way.”

Essays must be 300 words or less and should reflect on at least one of the following:

• What does Dr. King’s speech mean to you today, in this community?
• How would Dr. King express his dream today?
• How is the dream relevant to today?
• How does your dream affect how you live your life?
• How are you making the dream a reality?
• How are you engaging the dream?
• What is the next step in reaching this dream?
• Why is your dream unique in human history?

Winning entries will be announced at the Federal Way City Council meeting on Jan. 19, 2010.

The contest, sponsored by the Federal Way Diversity Commission, is open to public-school and home-school students living within the boundaries of the Federal Way School District.

Entries may be submitted in four age categories, grades Pre-K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12. Prizes will be awarded in each category: first, $75; second, $25; honorable mention, certificate. Submissions must be accompanied by the official cover sheet and must be signed by a parent or guardian.

Entries must be presented on 8½ x 11 paper, double spaced, 12 pt. Times New Roman font.

The deadline for entries is 5 p.m., Jan. 13, 2010. There is no cost to enter. Entries may be hand-delivered to Federal Way City Hall, 33325 8th Ave. S., or mailed to: Diversity Commission/Tina Piety, City of Federal Way, P.O. Box 9718, Federal Way, WA 98063-9718. (Postmarked by Jan. 13.)

Entry forms and detailed instructions may be picked up at Federal Way’s public libraries. The information may also be downloaded at www.cityoffederalway.com/diversity. For more information, contact Tina Piety, tina.piety@cityoffederalway.com or 253-835-2601.