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Voices of Change
| Charles Childers, Class of 2021 presents his original poem, And Now We Honor Him at the Rededication Ceremony, 4/23/21. |
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And Now We Honor Him. And now we honor him, Because his arms were in chains, He marched in the rain, He suffered through the pain, To proclaim, we choose not to abstain our dictations, Yet to rid the strains that stain our nation. And now we honor him Because his sacrifice, Endless nights of peaceful fights For equal rights, he set his sights, To be greater, to reach new heights, A mediator of black, brown, and white And now we honor him. Because he surpassed expectation, And in the house, he led this nation, With assertations that our expectation Should be acclimation and cooperation, Not a culmination of defamation Which stems from times of segregation. And now we honor him Because even after passing on, With every day and every dawn, We continue to fight to right whats wrong, And remember the nation we walk upon, Was shaped by people all long gone. And thereupon, when it sinks to rubble, Hope prevails, and prosperity’s double, So have hope and remember, to get in good trouble. Poem by: Charles Childers, Class of 2021 |
| Student Speeches |
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"I challenge my entire class to utilize our remaining years in high school, to stay vigilant and focused on educating and furthering ourselves in the hopes that we too can make such a significant and necessary difference to human life the way John Lewis did. It is our time, as students, as a class, as a people, to step into the future we are cultivating for ourselves.John R. Lewis High School is a name, it’s a title, it’s a newfound pride that all of us should have within ourselves." Andrea Grace Mukuna, Class of 2023 |
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Amanda Hurst, Class of 2022 |
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"John Lewis’s famous saying, “I believe that you see something that you want to get, you cannot give up, and you cannot give in” should resonate with all of us. We will be a high school and community that’s Rawan Hashim, Class of 2022 |
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Kimberly Boateng, Class of 2021 |
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Kadija Ismail, Class of 2021 |
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"Changing the school’s name was the first step in a long process of change. FCPS states that racism is not welcomed in our schools. However, institutionalized racism is deeply rooted in education to the point where it can determine a student's success. The name change has welcomed thought-provoking discussions amongst students and admin. Now that there is an awareness of racism at this school, educators are focused on success for all students without racially inherent biases. Furthermore, more students from the class of 2021 got accepted to Ivy's than last year and we’re hoping to see Luna Alazar, Class of 2020, University of Virginia - Class of 2024 |
"We come here today with great optimism for the future of this school and the thousands of students who will follow. But we also come here today with an acknowledgement of our shared past and of recent events that illustrate just how far we still must travel. We know that we are not perfect. That there are bridges that currently stand in the void between us, bridges which must be crossed."
crossing over, and one that encompasses the qualities that John Lewis embodied—fearlessness, authenticity, and strength. We will embrace our diversity and use that as our driving force in being a strong student body that speaks truth to power." 
"Names are important. My name is Kimberly Agyeiwaa Yaa Cacra Boateng. A name bestowed upon me with many syllables each and every one holding significance of my family’s legacy, Ghanaian heritage and who I am as a person. Names hold purpose and power. It is likely that people grew tired of hearing me go on and on about the importance of a name last year. At every school board event, every interview, every meeting. I knew people were getting tired of me just as people got tired of seeing John Lewis at every sit-in, every freedom ride, and every march. Always remember when you fight for what you believe in, people will get tired of you, but as long as YOU don’t get tired, that is what makes all the difference. We didn’t give up…..I didn’t give up…... and by doing so I, Kimberly Agyeiwaa Yaa Cacra Boateng, am becoming John R. Lewis."
"It all started during Lancer Time Freshman Year. Many of us weren’t here for this, but it was when we all received a copy of the first graphic novel in the trilogy March by John R. Lewis. At that time, I didn’t understand the depth of the topic past his organizing for the March on Washington, but I also didn’t realize how much the book impacted me beyond that. I took March with me as I created the petition. I took March with me as I spoke at public hearings regarding the name change. And I take March with me today, speaking with you all here."
an increase of numbers the following years. Not only that, watch as the graduation rate from Lewis increases as well as test scores and overall achievements. Be careful because you might just be sitting next to a future president. I am anticipating various victories from all Lewis students."