Martin Luther King Jr. celebration in Sterling recognizes 6 for community contributions

STERLING — The Sauk Valley Diversity Alliance held its annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Peace and Justice Celebration on Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, at the Church of the Nazarene in Sterling.

A presentation by Denise Harts educated the 50 or so in attendance with trivia on MLK and the similar tenets of love, sacrifice, injustice, fear, threats and death that both he and Jesus Christ endured.

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Teacher and youth leader Ramses Arreola is given the Peace and Justice Award Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, by Irma Linda Lewis in Sterling. (Alex T. Paschal)

Music and poems were read and performed between presentations to local leaders who received the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Peace and Justice award. Recipients Lois Brotmiller, Dr. Shirley Vazquez, Ramses Arreloa, Irma Linda Lewis, Christine Herren and Taylor Jackson were recognized for contributions to the betterment of the community.