Thurgood Marshall Middle School does more than talk and teach about creating a legacy and providing service to our community. Students have opportunities to take action in the community and contribute. On Friday April 19, 2024, the middle school students were intent on 21 various projects throughout Olympia. The timing was close to Earth Day, so many projects had an environmental component.
Thurgood Marshall MS Students Make a Difference Now and Into the Future
“Legacy Day is thinking about more than our time here right now,” suggests Principal, Anthony Brock. For example, planting trees looks to times ahead when the trees are providing shade for people and places for birds to nest. “It also teaches kids an important lesson right now,” he adds.
The school has participated in a Day of Service in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. for about 10 years. “Last year we added the component of Create a Legacy,” says Anthony. When the service day was snowed out, it was moved to April, which turned out to be a glorious day for being outside.
The school began the day with a special assembly. The guest speaker was Hanford McCloud, the Nisqually Tribal Government Liaison. He is a cultural educator, and life-long weaver, who shared his own family’s story including information about the value of the cedar and willow trees and the importance of salmon. For example, there is a cultural tradition of pulling cedar bark to weave baskets, hats, and more. The cedar tree will heal and keep growing for future generations by taking only a third of the bark.
“I saw Mr. McCloud at a Citizen Science Institute (CSI), convention,” says Kora LaRock, a seventh grader. The district wide CSI program, housed at Thurgood Marshall Middle School, aims to develop youth leadership in science through science investigations and civic literacy. Students were learning about helping the world deal with climate change. “It was important,” she adds and thought the presentation would be an excellent match for the Legacy Day. She worked through the school and the OSD Native Education Liaison, Sandra Gordon, to invite McCloud.
“It was cool to be able to organize an important event and talk to the speaker,” says Kora. When asked about her plans for the future, Kora said, “I want to run for president of the U.S. and help the environment.”
Thurgood Marshall Middle School Values Legacy Service Projects
The school believes that service opportunities help students learn empathy, compassion, build character, values, as well as social and leadership skills. Students build self-esteem and learn about hands-on career possibilities for their futures.
A busload of youth went to the Kiwanis garden on the Capitol Campus. It’s part of the Thurston County Food Bank’s garden acreage. Students weeded a huge plot of garlic. The garden was started by the service group in the early 1990s. The garden produces beets and Brussels sprouts, too, and all the upkeep is provided by volunteers. James Wirth is the Field to Food bank Coordinator. He can schedule people for planting, weeding and other garden maintenance needs.
“It’s important. I love spending time in the garden. It’s satisfying to know you’re making a difference,” says Olivia Tuttle, an eighth grader. She learned that an un-weeded plot would harvest 60% less produce. Olivia imagines herself developing a non-governmental organization to inform people about the values of ecological living.
Another student who helped weed was Elliot M-B. He is the current ASB Secretary. “It’s a lot of weeds. I’m happy to help. I like to help others,” he reported. Elliot has been part of clean-up programs since early grade school. After watching the news, he thinks, “I can make this better.” He foresees himself working in the government and becoming a senator.
There were a number of other service projects taking place at the same time; All Kids Win food bags were distributed, books at the Olympia branch of the Timberland Regional Library were organized and a large group of students were hard at work at the Freedom Farm to plant seeds, clear invasive plant species and haul away blackberry brambles.
Olympia Students Participate in Legacy Day with Service
On campus service projects included; making dog and cat toys and fleece blankets to give to a local shelter, new picnic tables were assembled and sanded for the school campus, care kits of knit hats and mittens, granola bars and hygiene items were assembled for Partners in Prevention Education (PiPE!), greeting cards were designed for children in the hospital and people in assisted living and various clean up crews workedaround the Thurgood Marshall campus.
It was a big day for the nearly 500 students at Thurgood Marshall. “Our students came out, served and were joy filled – and tired. It was a different day of learning,” says Anthony. “You can make any day a service day. Thank you, students, for helping to take care of our precious earth and her inhabitants.”
“We are now faced with the fact that tomorrow is today. We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now.” – The Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr.
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