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Sisters in Unity
A total of sixteen Academy of Our Lady students form the group Sisters in Unity. The group was created to address sociological issues happening in our world today specifically the importance of racial justice and our call as Christians to be responsible citizens in society.
Members of Sisters in Unity gave a presentation to the freshman, sophomore, junior and senior religion classes, during the months of August and September, to create an open dialogue amongst the students in a space where everyone could feel free to express their opinions.
Each group of students presenting the Sisters in Unity presentation represented the diversity of the school with different racial backgrounds and students from various grade levels.
“The goal of the presentation is for students to share their own experiences and express how those experiences shaped them as a person and made them feel in hopes of learning from one another," senior Lacey Johnson explained.
Johnson spear headed the creation of Sisters in Unity and worked with student leaders to develop the class presentation.
“Those I worked with to create the presentation can be describe as self-driven student leaders with an incredible work ethic,” Johnson explained. “This creative, courageous and intelligent group tackled some difficult issues in a way that emphasized inclusion and unity in our school community,” Johnson continued.
The Sisters in Unity presentation addressed important and uncomfortable issues including unintentional racism, systemic racism, microaggression, discrimination, social equality and social injustice. Each issue was explained and demonstrated through a video which students could relate. The presentation ended with a class popcorn discussion allowing for different topics to be discussed at random.
In addition to the students, Sister in Unity members gave the presentation to the entire faculty during a faculty meeting.
“Words cannot express how proud I am of our student leaders. To take the initiative to form Sisters in Unity and begin the dialogue with their peers and teachers in a constructive way takes immense maturity, Principal Sr. Michelle Geiger said.
“I admire each of Academy of Our Lady student’s courage to share their personal experiences with one another. These are not easy topics to address but together through meaningful discussion and prayer will we learn from one another and grow as a society. Because of these students, I have tremendous faith and hope for our future,” Geiger said.
Sisters in Unity has given all students a voice and the opportunity to learn from others’ experiences creating an unbreakable bond.
“I am so happy that my school was open to do something like this because of the awareness it has created and the conversation it has sparked. Change begins with awareness leading to action,” Johnson said.
The sixteen members of Sisters in Unity include senior Lacey Johnson, junior Katie Harlow, sophomore Madison Nguyen, freshman Eden Becnel, senior Ally Price, junior Jaden Jackson, sophomore Jaden Armond, freshman Therese Tran, senior Janette Pina, junior Emily Eschette, sophomore Mackenzie Wood, freshman Aaliyah Colar, senior Macy Crowden, junior Kylie Howell, sophomore Tatiana Carter and freshman Brealle Black. Social Studies Department Chair Ms. Lisa May is the Sisters in Unity moderator.
The group plans to give a modify version of the presentation to the pre-freshmen on Service Day which will take place in mid-October.
Members of Sisters in Unity are hard at work painting a mural on campus representing diversity and unity within the Academy of Our Lady community. The mural artwork was designed by senior Nha Nguyen.
The Clarion Herald will feature Sisters in Unity in the upcoming October 10 issue. -
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