A Week of Service

Dear parents,

 

This week was bookended by the national celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the inauguration of Donald Trump as our country's 45th President. No matter what one's political leanings may be, we are called to be hopeful. The courage, tenacity and powerful legacy of Dr. King was a magnificent way to begin the week as our country recommits to the ideals of its democracy, with a peaceful transition of power and the inauguration today. We are hopeful that our leaders will exhibit courage, humility and strong values so that Dr. King's dream lives on... so that "little children will live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character." 

 

We are grateful to our leaders for their service to our country, and we must ensure that our students see leadership and service as inextricably connected. To this end, and thanks to parent and faculty volunteers, our students and families were able to take part in the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service on Monday. Our students engaged in activities that helped friends at Emmanuel Dining Room, the Delaware Humane Association and Sojourners’ Place, while a film of Dr. King’s  “I Have a Dream” speech via video was playing. Some of our students took part in a jeopardy-like MLK/Civil Rights trivia game. Students from our partner school, Serviam Academy, volunteered with us. We are grateful to Director of Service Learning, Chris Morrow, and parent and faculty volunteers for organizing the day's offerings. In serving others, we lead the way for a more just and peaceful community. 

 

Thanks to the scholarship and testimony of our Upper School teachers, John Robinson and Arturo Bagley, students are able to discuss and learn more about the Civil Rights Movement. Middle Schoolers continued to honor Dr. King’s legacy with a Gift of Service week, and this winter some of our Upper Schoolers have been giving back to the community with a Season of Service at organizations around Wilmington. Many students go on to lead their own service-focused initiatives at some point during their Tower Hill days, and to experience the fulfillment that comes with such efforts. For in the words of Mahatma Gandhi, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” May our students find themselves amidst the intellect and strength of the Tower Hill community.