“I want us to reflect and recognize how individuals have made significant impacts. I appreciate that as a school we take the time out of our busy schedules to honor individuals and events that have shaped our country’s history.” With his words resounding through Benjamin Hall, Head of School Mr. Dave Faus called attention to the theme of one of our campus’ most important assemblies.
On Friday, Jan. 17, the Upper School honored Martin Luther King, Jr. Day with an assembly featuring visual arts, guest speakers, along with other special elements. With the national holiday taking place on the following Monday, the school thought it important to give students a way to reflect on the enormous impact of the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr..
Following Mr. Faus’ remarks, Head of Upper School, Mr. Fletcher Carr who then introduced a talk by Malia Fink, a member of the Diversity Council. Fink echoed the voice of Dr. King by explaining several of his identifying characteristics and views.
“We are honoring his tireless fight for justice and equality and his teachings of love, courage, and perseverance through peaceful protest,” proclaimed Fink.
Next, a biographical video of Dr. King’s life refreshed the student body’s knowledge of this American pioneer of equality. The video displayed the background of Dr. King’s life including his parents, college life, seminary, and into his career as a civil rights activist. A fun fact shared by the video is that the famous speaker got a “C” in his public speaking class in college at Morehouse University.
Following the video, senior Victoria Powell, another Diversity Council member, recited the poem “The Ballad of Birmingham” by Dudley Randall. This poem speaks about a young girl who asks his mother to be a part of the Freedom March; however, she turns down his request out of fear. The mother discovers that her daughter has left the house and gone anyway. When she goes outside to look for her after hearing an explosion. She looks around and says, “here’s the shoe my baby wore, but, baby, where are you?”
This poem evokes melancholic feelings hearing how families were so distressed over race during this time.
Member of the Diversity Council, Liam Duffy then spoke to reemphasize the points made by the other speakers and the purpose of the assembly as a whole.
Afterwards, sophomore Nahla Bond took to the stage and introduced the event’s key-note speaker: Katrina Long-Robinson. Ms. Long-Robinson has a long background in education and supporting local minority groups, having worked with school administrators to understand curricular programs, worked on affordable housing initiatives, as well as other projects.
Ms. Long-Robinson used the Buccaneer character traits to explain to students that they are already living Dr. King’s dream. Between respect, courage, compassion, acceptance, and on, the Benjamin Way is what the activist wanted the future to look like for all.
Throughout her talk, Ms. Long-Robinson shared several quotations from Dr. King with the audience such as the importance to “Take the first step without seeing the rest of the staircase,” while emphasizing the message that “we are better together than apart.”
Diversity Council members Mike Winfield, Savannah Thompson, and Angelena Townsend followed by speaking to the audience about upcoming community service opportunities and reintroducing Mr. Carr.
The Head of Upper School seized the moment to acknowledge Diversity Council moderator Ms. Rachelle Mays as the reason for much of the good that the group does including recruitment of guest speakers such as Ms. Long-Robinson.
In closing the assembly, Mr. Carr echoed Mr. Faus’ opening message by urging the audience, “focus on a purpose in your lives–on ideas and ideals–rather than on individual material gain.”
