COEUR d'ALENE — One small action can make a big difference in someone's life.

"Give a little compliment to someone each day and the world will get better with each kind word," Bryan Elementary School's Adeline Thorhaug said Thursday morning as she read her essay on the Schuler Performing Arts Center stage.

"You should be the reason someone smiles today," she said. "If everyone did this, we could achieve what Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. set out to do."

The crowd applauded as the brave fifth grader left the stage, making way for other courageous students to read their written works during the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations' 38th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Human Rights Celebration.

This year's theme was "Our Beloved Community."

"A beloved community is a place where everyone feels safe, happy and cared for," Winton Elementary fifth grader Kimber Williams read from her essay.

Sorensen Magnet School for the Arts and Humanities fifth grader Aurelius Brennan shared that he was adopted when he was 2.

"Did you know that up until 1994 interracial adoptions were illegal?" he asked. "This is one reason I am so thankful for the work done during the Civil Rights Movement."

Aurelius said King believed in the power of love for all people, no matter the color of their skin, the language they speak or where they are from. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere, Aurelius said, quoting King.

"This means that when one person is treated unfairly, it affects all of us," he said.

He said King's dream was for children of all races to play, grow and learn together, and for little Black boys and girls to hold hands with little white boys and girls.

"I am happy to tell you that is for sure happening around me and at my school," Aurelius said.

He noted how Notre Dame football coach Marcus Freeman became the first Black American coach to compete in the national championship game.

"I want to be the first Black person in my family to make the NBA or NFL," Aurelius said, the crowd erupting into applause.

King also once said, "The time is always right to do the right thing."

"We can be kind to others, stand up against bullying and celebrate the differences that make each of us unique," he said. "We can help create a world where everyone feels valued and included."

Ten students representing each elementary school in the Coeur d'Alene School District shared their essays between musical and artistic performances by the Lake City High School Navy Blues, the Atlas Music Makers and the Sorensen Dance Team.

The honored guest speaker was Heritage Health CEO Mike Baker, who encouraged the students to make the magic of kindness happen for others.

"This community is incredible, and sometimes, adults need your help," he said.

The magic trick is simple, he said. When they see someone who looks down, all they have to do is look them in the eyes and say, "You are incredible."

"Smile at them, and what you're going to see is so cool," Baker said. "You're going to see a smile on their face ... You take your energy that you have and share it. There's almost 1,000 people here today. This is the coolest thing about magic — it spreads across our community. If you want a strong community, you guys have a job today to go home and practice this magic trick."

The event concluded with an all-audience singalong, creating another magical moment for students to remember as they go out into the world and spread kindness in their beloved community.

The Martin Luther King Jr. Day event is a yearly event held in Coeur d'Alene and Post Falls for local fifth graders to celebrate King's work for civil and human rights as well as to honor his legacy. The Post Falls event featured motivational speaker and Ovation Company founder Stu Cabe and was held at Post Falls High School at the same time as the Coeur d'Alene event.

    Bryan Elementary School fifth grader Adeline Thorhaug presents her human rights essay Thursday morning during the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. fifth grade program at North Idaho College.
  

    Heritage Health CEO Mike Baker encourages fifth graders to share the magic of kindness Thursday morning during the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations' Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Human Rights Celebration.
  

    The Sorensen Dance Team performs to Barns Courtney's "Glitter and Gold" during the human rights celebration Thursday at North Idaho College.
  

    An image of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is seen projected onto the wall Thursday morning in Schuler Performing Arts Center at North Idaho College.