On the 25th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr. Day and days after what would have been Dr. King’s 82nd birthday, students who chose to serve their community on a federal holiday instead of sleeping in are the ones who understood King’s message best.

“Make it a day on, not a day off” was this year’s MLK Day slogan, and the message fits this campus.

King envisioned an America where our generation judged one another by content of character, not color.

Nearly 200 students came together Monday to volunteer their time at 10 different sites across Tarrant County 8212; there wasn’t a more fitting way to honor King and his message than volunteering to improve an entire community and, in effect, transcending race, sexual orientation and economic standing.

This campus is by no means a shining example of diversity, cultural diffusion or inclusiveness, even if its students, faculty and administrators strive for it to be. But the students who volunteered their time to help benefit their community are those examples.

On Aug. 28, 1963, King presented one of the most memorable orations in modern history 8212; most segments of his “I Have a Dream” speech cut off before this line: “With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.”

Every student should take that message seriously, just as the nearly 200 students did when they worked together and stood up together on Monday to better their community.

Sports editor Ryne Sulier for the editorial board.