Grosse Pointe and Harper Woods community members gathered on Monday afternoon for the official dedication ceremony of the historical marker commemorating Martin Luther King Jr.’s March 14, 1968 visit to what was then Grosse Pointe High School.
The marker is located at the foot of the front lawn near the Fisher Road entrance to Grosse Pointe South High School. A number of people and organizations helped bring the marker to fruition. This included former Grosse Pointe Public School System Superintendent Gary Niehaus, Bob Taylor, former president of the Grosse Pointe Board of Realtors, and John Minnis, publisher of the Grosse Pointe News.
Mr. Taylor acquired a grant from the National Association of Realtors to pay the costs of the historical marker and worked with GPPSS to complete an application for the Michigan Historical Commission. Dr. Niehaus and Mr. Minnis worked together on the plaque language before submitting it to the Michigan Historical Commission for approval.
Alexis DeLuca, current president of GPBR, opened up remarks, followed by Mr. Minnis, Superintendent Jon Dean, and Tobi Voigt, community engagement director for the Michigan Historical Commission.
“On behalf of the Michigan Historical Commission, the Michigan History Center and our parent agency, the Department of Natural Resources, I say congratulations to you,” Voigt said to community members assembled in front of Grosse Pointe South. “In addition to the other marker, you continue to join and be a part of a community across the state of people who see and want to commemorate the importance of Michigan’s stories as told through the people, places and events of it. Before I started at the Michigan History Center, I was located here in Detroit and worked on some of these marker applications and I can tell you, as several of you have learned, it is a rigorous process. I understand it took a couple of years to get here and that’s a testament to the dedication of this community wanting to make sure this story is told not only to commemorate the past but to help inspire future generations. As MLK said in his speech — and this quote is included on the marker — ‘The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice.’ By remembering important events in history like these, we encourage the present and future generations to reflect and take action to continue the work of social justice.”
“The arc of the universe is long but it bends towards justice.”
— Martin Luther King Jr.
In his remarks, Dr. Dean thanked Mr. Taylor and the GPBR for their continued efforts around diversity, equity and inclusion, Mr. Minnis and the Grosse Pointe News for their coverage, and Grosse Pointe South’s administration and Mothers’ Club, in particular the Preservation Committee, for their partnership.
“As most of you know, the Grosse Pointe Public School System is embarking on its next strategic plan,” Dr. Dean said. “Commemorating Dr. King’s speech, ‘The Other America,’ with this marker is a permanent reminder that at the heart of our mission is creating an environment where, In Dr. King’s words, all of our ‘children grow up in the sunlight of opportunity.’
“This is what equity means in education,” he continued. “It is providing all students with what they need to be successful — which leads to that ‘buoyancy of hope’ Dr. King mentioned in his speech. As we celebrate the district’s centennial this year, we are reminded of the important work we have done over the past 100 years. This ceremony today reminds us of our commitment to continuing this work in the next 100 years.”
Where everyone belongs
Some showed up in Hawaiian garb, others in a Western theme. Some were cows and still others were Trojan champions or trash pandas.
All of them were there for Pierce Middle School’s orientation on Wednesday, Aug. 18 to lead games and ice-breaker activities and help the fifth graders get acclimated to the new building before the start of school. This year’s WEB — Where Everyone Belongs — leaders helped pick the themes and made or purchased costumes and props for their groups, according to Jackie Claeys, who serves as the WEB faculty coordinator along with Leslie Dolle.
Elena Martin decided to become a WEB leader because when she was in sixth grade, her WEB leaders helped make her feel more comfortable, she said.
Anthony Kaminski said he likes “to lead other younger students and be a role model for them and in the process, I get to meet new faces.”
Betsy Ropke applied because she “wanted to help make the new students feel welcome at Pierce Middle School and give them a positive and memorable experience.”
The eighth graders had plenty of advice to offer the fifth graders.
“Never be afraid to ask for help,” Elena said. “Everyone is here to help you.”
“Be focused and pay attention,” Anthony added. “Be organized and definitely make sure to listen to the person talking.”
Betsy said she wished she had known it was “OK to ask for help when you need it” when she first started middle school.
She listed her top advice: Don’t get frustrated with your locker combination. Stay organized. Ask for help. Get sleep. Get to class on time. Participate in class. Try new things, like school activities.
WEB leader Gaia Sperone shared advice for the younger students based on what she wishes she had known: Free time at the end of class “can be used to do homework so you don’t have to do it all when you get home,” she said.
Mark your calendars
School Pointes is a publication of the Grosse Pointe Public School System. To submit story ideas or Pointes of Pride, email info@gpschools.org.