POST FALLS — Fifth graders from Post Falls elementary schools delivered on the tall order of presenting their personal inspirations from Martin Luther King Jr. on Thursday during a celebration at Post Falls High School. 

Isabelle Jensen of Ponderosa Elementary and Stella Montour of Mullan Trail shared personal obstacles and how King’s words can help effect change.  

“The speeches he made gave hope to dark times,” Isabelle said. 

King’s words, “If you can't fly, then run, if you can't run, then walk, if you can't walk, then crawl, but whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward,” are there to inspire Isabelle when she feels helpless.   

"Kids don’t have much power, they can’t fly,” Isabell said.  

However, the will to continue kept King going, and it can help others do the same. 

She told her fellow students, “You don’t have to be rich or powerful” to make a difference, even when things sometimes feel out of reach. 

Educator and professional actor Stu Cabe tied together the theme of working to make things better through a true story he learned through Animal Planet about "Big Elephants" and "Little Elephants" and the purpose that role models serve. 

“Martin Luther King Jr. was a big elephant,” Cabe said, wearing a shirt that combined the elephant story with an image of King. 

He impressed upon the packed auditorium of fifth graders to trust their hearts rather than go along with the crowd, even if things are difficult. 

“It took big elephants to know not to do something just because it’s selfish and popular,” Cabe said. “We need to do what is good and right.” 

For Stella, King’s journey and the Civil Rights Movement all came down to dedication. 

Even when facing arrests to gain rights for Black people, he would not give up. 

‘He tried above all to keep going,” Stella said. 

The role a young girl like herself, named Ruby Bridges, played in the fight to end segregation in schools also spoke volumes to Stella. 

“She didn’t give up,” Stella said. “By not giving up, people are able to fight for what they believe in and make the world a better place today.” 

She urged the elementary students to try to make the world a little better in any way they can. 

“Make change, each and every one of you has that power. You just have to make the first step,” Stella said. 

    Post Falls fifth-graders Marley Griess, Stella Montour, Isabelle Jensen, JT Ernst, Maddie Rockwell, Relikah Shaw and Alice Salassi talk to Stu Cabe after presenting their essays about Martin Luther King Jr.
  

    Stella Montour of Mullan Trail Elementary School delivers an essay about the obstacles Martin Luther King Jr. faced on Thursday morning at Post Falls High School.
  

    Fifth graders applaud after student essays were read aloud as part of a Martin Luther King Jr. celebration Thursday at the auditorium at Post Falls High School.
  

    Stu Cabe tells a story about "big elephants" being the good role models in a community. The talk was part of a Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration for fifth graders at Post Falls High School.