Middle and Upper Schoolers honored the legacies of visionary leaders during Black History Month this February.
In Middle School, students studied popular cultural icons and lesser-known heroes through a special advisory activity.
Each Middle School advisory was assigned a research topic, from black entrepreneurs to historically-black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Advisories then submitted informative and creative slide shows of their given category to diversity coordinators.
Andy Fraggos' advisory studied black lawyers, politicians, and preachers. Mr. Fraggos supplied advisees with a general slide template and links to conduct research, and each student selected a different individual to feature.
"My advisees coordinated to ensure no overlap on the people they researched. Once they selected a person for their page, they did some research to develop their slide," shares Andy.
The idea for the activity came in response to COVID, as social distancing measures and hybrid classrooms prohibited students from participating in previous years' efforts like door-decorating contests or special events.
"We wanted a contact-free way to celebrate Black History Month that was inclusive of our virtual students," explains Middle School Diversity Coordinator Gina Tomkowich. "Creating slides seemed like a fun way for students to conduct research, design something informative, and learn about black history."
"I think it was important to provide many of our students with the opportunity and time during advisory to explore American history through self-guided study, which led to students learning about many known as well as lesser-known black Americans," adds Andy.
Upper Schoolers are also learning about heroes of black history through the Chapel program. Throughout the month, notable figures like Frances Harper, Arthur Ashe, and Percy Lavon Julian were included in the Prayers of the People. Each featured person was selected and researched by members of the Vestry, who began planning for Black History Month back in spring 2020.
"While we are intentional in not limiting our celebration of black history to the month of February, Black History Month does provide us with time to especially focus on and lift up those stories," explains Head Chaplain Tim Gavin.
Special Chapel talks also highlighted the stories and contributions of notable figures. At the beginning of February, Vestry Accounting Warden Aiden Chavis '21 spoke about Langston Hughes' influence on the Harlem Renaissance, and Vestry Senior Warden Bo Aldridge '21 explored the legacy of Thurgood Marshall.
"Thurgood Marshall has and will be remembered as one of the most influential civil rights leaders and activists of all time," said Bo as he closed out his speech. "Black History Month marks a time to celebrate the lives and legacies of all African Americans throughout our country's history - as black history is American history."
To the Vestry and Fr. Tim, Chapel is an especially appropriate place to celebrate black history because of the Episcopal Church's dedication to social justice and inclusivity.
"Our baptismal vow calls us to respect the individual dignity of every human being," says Fr. Gavin. "Out of context of the greater humanity, we may think that this only applies to people who look like us, but it actually applies to every person – regardless of any identifier. We are all created in God's image and worthy of honor and celebration."