Highland Community College presented its annual Drum Major for Justice Awards on Wednesday, Feb. 4, honoring three individuals whose lives reflect service, compassion, and a commitment to justice. This year’s recipients include HCC student Karis Larson, HCC employee Stacey Jones and community member Christopher Lackey. Each honoree was nominated by peers and selected by a campus committee.
Inspired by the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the Drum Major for Justice Award recognizes individuals who lead through service rather than status. The award celebrates those whose everyday actions uplift others, strengthen communities, and advance fairness, dignity and compassion.
Recipients are chosen not for seeking recognition, but for demonstrating humility, integrity and an unwavering dedication to serving others. Their leadership, which is often quiet and behind the scenes, creates meaningful impact and inspires those around them to act with purpose and empathy.
Student Recipient: Karis Larson
Karis Larson, Centralia High School graduate from Goff, Kansas, is this year’s student recipient of the Drum Major for Justice Student Award because she goes out of her way to make a positive impact on her peers and the classroom environment. At HCC, Karis is involved in art, the multi-media team, Student Support Services and is a tutor. In all her activities she maintains a positive approach to life, encourages people to see the good through the bad, and always wants to lend a hand to those in need.
For example, when a peer was complaining about one of their teachers, Karis encouraged her to think about the situation from the teacher's perspective. Instead of joining the negativity, she offered potential explanations for the teacher's decisions. Karis empathized with the student's concerns while also challenging the student's catastrophic thinking.
For these reasons and many more, we are happy to honor Karis Larson as this year’s student Drum Major for Justice Award.
Employee Recipient: Stacey Jones
Stacey Jones is this year’s recipient of the MLK Drum Major for Justice Employee Award. Stacey is currently the director of HCC’s Western Center in Baileyville but started at the College in a student services role. Throughout her time at HCC, she has consistently demonstrated kindness and compassion in her work with students and prioritized student growth, dignity and success. As a trusted collaborator, Stacey builds meaningful partnerships across campus and leads with humility, service and integrity which embodies the true spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King Junior’s call to serve others. Highland is pleased to recognize Stacey for her work and effort.
Community Member Recipient: Christopher Lackey
1992 HCC alumnus, Christopher Lackey of Highland, Kansas, embodies the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King Junior’s Drum Major for Justice through a lifetime of servant leadership, equity-driven action and unwavering commitment to young people and community. With 28 years in education and 17 years in school leadership, he has consistently placed students, especially those in rural and underserved communities, at the center of every decision. His work expanding dual-credit and early college partnerships has opened doors to opportunity, ensuring that students and families who might otherwise face barriers, can access college-level learning, guidance and clear pathways to success. At Doniphan West High School, he served as a principal, athletic director and educator. He leads with integrity, humility and compassion, balancing high expectations with deep care for the whole student. Mr. Lackey’s leadership is collaborative rather than self-promoting, focused on lifting others—students, teachers, families and community partners—toward shared success. Service beyond education, including long-term involvement in judicial and community correction boards, reflects a broader commitment to justice, accountability and public good. Taken together, these qualities of moral leadership, equity in action, service to others, and sustained community impact make Chris an exemplary candidate for the MLK Drum Major for Justice Award, honoring not just what he has achieved, but how he leads: quietly, courageously and always in service of justice. HCC is honored to recognize Christopher Lackey.
Celebrating Legacy and Impact
More than an honor, the Drum Major for Justice Award serves as a call to action. It challenges all of us to live out Dr. King’s vision by standing for justice, serving others and leading with compassion in our daily lives.
As Highland Community College recognizes Karis Larson, Stacey Jones and Christopher Lackey, the college celebrates not only their individual contributions, but also the example they set for our campus and community. Their stories remind us that each of us has the capacity to make a difference and that true leadership is found in service.