On Monday January 16, The Governor’s Academy community gathered to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The students, faculty, and staff came together in the Performing Arts Center and were asked to share inspirational or empowering stories, ideas, and beliefs. Students told personal stories and shared poetry, while faculty members offered advice and wisdom. Belle Struck ’94 of the Fine Arts Department, organized this presentation and urged students to listen to the brave individuals on the stage and learn from what they were sharing. She told students: “this will be our time to listen to each other. Please share your voice.” This sentiment was felt throughout the crowd, as the audience listened intently to the stories and issues that were shared.
The next portion of the program featured Reverend Adrienne Berry-Burton P’96, ’04, TR and members of the UMASS Boston Gospel Choir. Reverend Berry-Burton and the choir members shared the origins of gospel music and also sang a selection of songs. The group brought tremendous energy to the room as the audience was on their feet signing and clapping to gospel songs such as Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! and Victory is Mine.
At the conclusion of the morning program students met with advisors and were given time to reflect on what they had heard and talk openly about the importance of remembering and honoring Dr. King. The afternoon offered each grade a time to work together on various service projects. The freshman class was involved in a stereotyping workshop; while Sophomores worked on a MLK Mural, designed puzzles for children at the Geiger Crisis Center, and created graffiti symbols to protest injustices. The junior class created chains of kindness for Rachel’s Challenge, assembled baskets for homerooms and made an inspirational banner for Kipp Academy. The Seniors made origami cranes for North Shore Cancer Center, knitted scarves and hats for Cor Unum, designed a world map for The Kids Room at the Geiger Crisis Center, wrote letters to United States service men and women, and also helped with the chain of kindness for Rachel’s Challenge.
Click here to view pictures of the acts of service our students participated in.
For more information on the causes that our community helped throughout the day, please visit the links below.
Rachel’s Challenge: http://www.rachelschallenge.org/
Kipp Academy: http://www.kipp.org/
Geiger Crisis Center: http://www.jeannegeigercrisiscenter.org/
