Patrick Thomas, front, and first- and second-grade classmates at Kent Elementary School begin their day with the pledge to the flag.

Downtown Kent has the look of a small American town. Other areas of the city are booming with new development.

Katie Baker, 2, and her sister Amanda, 4, wait in the lunch line at the Kent Senior Center during a visit with their grandmother.

Michiko Malisaac takes part in a fast and furious game of ping pong at the Kent Senior Center.

Eighteen-year-old Stephanie Dunigan, above left, learns American Sign Language in a class at Kentridge High School.

Deaf actor Billy Seago, below, uses sign language to communicate with students in the class, which is taught by Lorretta Watanabe.

Marilyn Green and her 21-month-old son Jordan play at the Kent Commons Indoor Park program.

The $95 million Regional Justice Center is the biggest building in downtown Kent at five stories high.

Robbin Clough and Pete Wagner of Issaquah look through the bins of binders for sale at the Boeing Surplus Center in Kent. Items in the bins are priced per item or by the pound.