Students and staff at White Center Heights Elementary held a Peace and Belonging March on Friday, Jan. 16 to commemorate the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., according to Highline Public Schools.

Students carried signs they designed and created while walking around the perimeter of the field as Stevie Wonder’s song “Happy Birthday” played.

They later gathered in a large circle while Principal Maria Osses Watson spoke about the civil rights movement and Dr. King’s push for equality, and led the school in singing “We Shall Overcome,” the district said.

“I wanted to give our school a way to unify and to give voice to our students and our staff,” Osses Watson said. “I felt like this was a really healing experience.”

A paraeducator said the event was emotional to witness, especially among younger students.

“I was half in tears, because this is what America stands for,” the paraeducator said. “I work with kindergartners, and I see the kind love between them, no matter what color or race they come from. That is the beauty of this school and the dream of America. It was really touching, especially to give the young students the choice to write whatever they want, whether about the earth or the people or their dreams.”

Highline Public Schools said the students’ signs were part of a lesson on freedom of speech. The school selected Stevie Wonder’s song because it helped build national momentum in 1979 to make Martin Luther King Jr. Day a federal holiday.

Photos courtesy Highline Public Schools.