Area fifth-graders got their fill of laughter and inspiration Thursday at the 32nd annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Kids Program.

Coeur d’Alene and Post Falls school district fifth-graders prepared civil rights essays, learned songs and created art pieces throughout the week to prepare for the big production.

“Every year it’s a fabulous program,” said Lisa Hoffeld, the principal of West Ridge Elementary School. “Kids get to share what they wrote about human rights and heroes. They worked really hard on this and the teachers put in a lot of time, too.”

The Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations has been working with the Coeur d’Alene and Post Falls school districts for the past three decades to put on the production each year, and the Coeur d’Alene Tribe has consistently written grants to fund it.

Coeur d’Alene School District held its program Thursday morning at Lake City Community Church and Post Falls School District held its immediately after.

Each group watched a video that recited Martin Luther King Jr.'s “I Have A Dream” speech, then students read their essays to their peers, inspiring everyone in the audience to be kind, thoughtful and to recognize someone’s character rather than the color of their skin.

Aedan Reindel, a student at Ramsey Magnet School of Science, said his dream is for the Coeur d’Alene community to be rid of homelessness, drugs and crime through community involvement.

Nolan Christ, from Bryan Elementary School, wrote about how everyone can serve the community and give back in their own way. And Paige Wilton, from Hayden Meadows Elementary School, said the only thing that matters is the content of your heart.

“Those essays are so touching and so beautifully done,” said Tony Stewart, a founding board member of the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations. “It’s really a lot about kids teaching other kids respect, dignity and about human rights.”

The Hayden Meadows Special Chorus performed a few songs for Coeur d’Alene School and the Seltice Elementary Dance Troupe performed a drum/dance presentation for Post Falls.

Both groups also participated in a presentation by this year’s guest speaker, Stu Cabe. Cabe is a local youth speaker who travels across the country to inspire students.

Cabe spoke about leadership and how to show people the right way to act by setting a good example.

“This, what they are doing here, it’s important and special,” Cabe said between programs. “This is above and beyond.”