There is inspiration everywhere we go. It could be something a friend said at a moment we needed to hear it. It could be a phrase we read in a book or from a fortune cookie. It could even be found in a quiet corner of the campus. Clairbourn Student Council has planned five diversity and inclusion presentations for the community this year and the inspiration they have brought to us is profound and motivating.
We kicked off the series with a Hispanic Heritage Celebration at the beginning of the school year. Students learned how Sonia Sotomayor, the first Latina Supreme Court Justice, stayed resilient and earned her degrees from Princeton and Yale. She has been a part of 3,000 Supreme Court decisions and is an inspiration for many others to pursue their dream. She shows a leader’s courage which Clairbourn embraces.
Next, we recognized the rich and diverse culture, traditions, and contributions of Native Americans. Students listened to stories of a physicist named Jerry Elliott, who was the first Native Americans to work at NASA. He is known for his contribution as the lead retrofire officer during Apollo 13, where his actions helped save the lives of the three astronauts on board. Elliott’s work awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which is the highest civilian honor awarded by the President. He shows a scholar’s dedication that Clairbourn encourages.
This month, Clairbourn continues to recognize achievements by celebrating Black History Month. We learned about poet and writer, Langston Hughes, and how poetry including American poet Vashel Lindsay inspired him in his early years! Hughes wrote many influential poems and novels which portray black life in American from the twenties through the sixties. He shows a heart full of passion which Clairbourn values!
We will honor the women in our history next month and then end our diversity and inclusion series with an Asian Pacific American presentation. Fostering diversity is a community effort and we are proud of our Student Council for leading the way. They are “Scholars and Leaders with Heart,” helping the community achieve a goal of fostering diversity and embracing achievement from everyone!
