The 2nd grade took center stage at Chapel on Wednesday, January 18 to mark the observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Students in Mrs. Hartman, Ms. Na, and Mrs. Rea's classes performed a skit highlighting the role children played in the Civil Rights Movement after Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat to a white man on a bus in 1955.
"We quote Dr. King often, but how can we make a difference?" asked one student. "We are just kids," remarked another. Students continued to recite quotes and powerful words from the tumultuous time period, while teachers and students carried the words labeled on colorful boxes to the altar. The words included courage, non-violence, faith, honesty, justice, love, respect, integrity, excellence, equality, character, peace, compassion, and truth.
Students in Ms. Na's class marched to the front of the Chapel, replicating Dr. King's call on children to stand up for what they believe in.
"Small acts can make a big difference," one student told the crowd. "I can keep my promise," said another.
At the close of the skit, a student posed the final question, "What will you do to keep his dream alive?"
Lower School drama teacher Cristy Chory wrote the script and choreographed the 2nd grade presentation which concluded with an enthusiastic rendition of "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands."
On Friday, January 20 Middle and Upper School students attended a combined Chapel. Members of the Middle School Chapel Council and the Upper School Vestry read selections from Martin Luther King's "A Letter from a Birmingham Jail."
Parent Tonja Belo (P '21) sang a moving rendition of Take My Hand, Precious Lord.
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