The Chronicle

The Chronicle 1 Feature Stories 2 Misc. 3 Editorials 4 Spotlight 5 Feature Stories 6 Reviews 7 Photos of the Issue 8 Horoscopes Bishop Seabury Academy 1 February 2021 Vol. 16 Issue 4 Hoang - Audrey Nguyen By By MLK Day Presentation Re- flects Diversity Club’s Mission By Edie Patterson When most people think and celebrate MLK, it also of Martin Luther King Jr., they showed how MLK has impact- Faculty member Neal Barbour teaches his new class of seventh graders. Barbour recently think of his famous “I have a ed people in our community.” took over for faculty member Cris Bryan upon her departure. dream” speech from the March However, event planning on Washington, but, as the is not the only thing that the Diversity Club’s MLK Day Diversity Club does. “During a presentation addressed, Dr. meeting, we start with debrief- King’s legacy is much more ing over recent news and then than a few commonly-quoted we start to dig into ideas for our phrases. Highlighting ideas like next project and the mechan- this one is an important mis- ics,” says Gutierrez-Gibbs. sion of Seabury’s Diversity “Sometimes we meet to specifi- Club, which started with a cally talk and share thoughts on focus on supporting minority recent events that may have had Faculty member Neal Barbour groups on campus and educat- big emotional tolls on us and ing people on lesser known just be there for one another.” discusses new teaching position aspects of racial justice and Through both events and meet- diversity. ings, the Diversity Club is a “The Diversity Club is all great resource for every student about spreading awareness, to have the community they By Catharine Richards lifting up minority voices and need. support for minorities. The Similarly, Grady says, presentation did all of those “Seabury is a very diverse “I think that this is different levels all the way nity engagement,” says Mr. things,” says senior Aris community and there are so my ideal teaching situation,” from preschool to adult Barbour. “So I was working Grady, president of Diversity many who deserve recognition says Seabury’s newest facul- learners,” says Barbour. “I with different organizations Club. Grady spoke during the and support for the cultures and ty member Neal Barbour. “I started by working in a within the community like MLK Day presentation and identities they represent. This have small classes; I have Montessori-based preschool Boys & Girls Club, CASA added that the event “was so year, it has been hard to go all autonomy to craft my own and kindergarten, and I or Social Service agencies important to [her], and hearing out like we really wanted to, lesson plans and I have the taught middle school and and members of the public from powerful, amazing, elo- but, even with a pandemic, we time to really put into grad- high school at some highly as well,” Barbour says. quent Black women was so continue to persevere and make ing and giving feedback and impoverished inner-city Making a variety of high- inspirational.” strides to the betterment of the understanding each student.” schools in Portland. I moved quality classes taught by “I was really happy that school.” Although the Diversity Only a handful of weeks to Kansas and taught high local artists available to the we got to show the school the Club conducted the MLK Day into the second semester, school art in Topeka and community was his highest things we talk about and work event over Zoom, it managed to Barbour has dived head first then became Director of priority: “For elementary- on during our meetings,” says make it a memorable event and into his new place in the Education at the Lawrence aged students, that looked freshman and Diversity Club to amplify essential voices in Seahawk community. Arts Center.” like offering some fun big member Helena Gutierrez- our community and their mes- Barbour took over for While many Sea- exciting classes in the arts, Gibbs, “and bring people from sages about what Dr. King former faculty member Cris hawks initially knew Bar- and for middle school and the Seabury community to stands for. He is a symbol of Bryan, who moved away bour as the husband of fac- high school classes it was come in and make it a little anti-racism, activism and eve- after last semester. Barbour ulty member Krista Barbour, more about achieving tech- more fun.” rything else the Diversity Club is now teaching seventh his work at the Lawrence nical skills.” The event represented the seeks to represent. grade English and English Arts Center is well known While Barbour cer- main goals of Diversity Club, In the same way, Grady’s as a Second Language throughout the greater Law- tainly has had a plethora of and, as junior and vice presi- speech during the MLK Day (ESL). However, this is far rence community. “My teaching opportunities in a dent of Diversity Club Elena event sought to encapsulate the from his first teaching expe- primary focus was visual variety of settings, he says Weber says, “Not only did [the goal of Diversity Club at Sea- rience. “I’ve taught at many arts education and commu- presentation] aim to educate… Continued on page 5 Continued on page 2 “Dynamic Diversity Club” productive and done a lot more Continued from page 1 projects”, says Webber. With Grady’s goal to “lay a foundation,” the club will continue Seabury. She wanted to find a way to to provide necessary support for “pay tribute to [herself], [her] family minorities at Seabury. Diversity and [her] ancestors.” She says, “My Club reflects all of Seabury’s core history, though grim, is just as amaz- values, with an objective of provid- ing…based on the pure resilience of ing everyone with opportunities, my people.” She also wanted to talk even the people who may be denied about Dr. King and include political opportunities in the real world and context while discussing how to apply ensuring that everyone at Seabury her opinions on diversity and inclu- has the necessary space to become sion to modern politics. Diversity and be proud of their authentic Club, and especially this event, bring selves. light to “untold history,” in Grady’s words. While Seabury students are taught about Dr. King and the histori- cal basics of understanding diversity, throughout history underrepresented and diverse groups have not been 1) 3 votes 2) 13 votes given the voice they need to tell their history and their perspectives. Now, a diversity initiative at Seabury is here to bring those histories into education. The club’s purpose is to represent and support the “diverse and enthusiastic learning environment” that Seabury’s Mission Statement promotes, with a focus on uplifting diverse voices and perspectives. The club also provides an open learning environment, further- ing Seabury’s goal of producing “engaged citizens of the world,” another key part of the Mission State- 3) 8 votes 4) 7 votes ment. Over the years, Weber thinks Diversity Club’s efficiency at ful- We shared our vote. What do you think? filling this mission has improved. The club has “become more organized and Vote at seaburychronicle.com! By Marie Brockhoff In October 2020, a teenage stu- point; this is where I’m coming seventh graders, avoids overtly like a classroom really is, then that dent in France beheaded his teacher, from.’” sharing her own views in the class- allows kids to have the lightbulbs turn Samuel Papy, who had shown a politi- On the other hand, junior Sum- room. “I really strive to be neutral on,” she says. “I think social justice cal cartoon portraying the Prophet mer Hartzler believes in not over- on political topics, because I don’t issues are apolitical.” Mohammad during a class on the stepping topical boundaries at want to shape [students’] political Sherwood agrees that education on freedom of expression. While events school during discussion. “I believe views,” says Asher. “I want to lay human rights issues, especially with in America are rarely so extreme, the there’s a time as long as it’s factual, the facts out for them and let them regards to history, is crucial. “If we current polarized political climate has and teachers say it’s their own opin- start to make their own minds up.” know what happened a long time ago, sparked discussion as to how current ion,” says Hartzler. “Some things Creating an open environment for we can fix those errors later on,” he events are discussed in schools. Some are inappropriate to discuss at discussion is a common priority. says. believe teachers should remain neu- school; it’s important to discuss Hartzler believes in the importance As Americans wrestle with deep tral, while others believe that personal things at the right time.” of “enforcing that all opinions are political divides, how current events opinions inevitably creep in and Prioritizing student comfort, valid and not saying that there’s a should be discussed in this education- teachers can mindfully express their sixth grader Lucas Sherwood be- wrong thing or right . I believe al community remains an ever-present views. lieves teachers can mindfully voice that listening to other people’s views issue. Regardless, compassion and “I think everyone has political their views. “I don’t think [teachers is the most important thing,” she understanding remain at the forefront. bias, because . you have your own should express] so much that they says. “We’re all human, you can’t avoid opinions,” says seventh grader Owen make students feel bad about their “It’s important to have a civil that,” says Metz.

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