Article by Phoenix writer Olivia Rinaldi ’23:
Every morning, Kellenberg students filter into the halls of this building, ready to learn and take on the challenges of the day. One thing every student has in common is the fact that they are all Firebirds, of One Heart and One Mind. As much as Kellenberg strives to harmonize its student body and prove every student is united, the school also takes immense pride in our differences. The beauty of diversity is that when a community is all of different backgrounds and skills, each person is able to contribute their own unique stories and gifts to make a greater whole. Kellenberg has always been aimed at creating a place where students can share their stories with others around them.
Recently, four students were able to share their heritage and backgrounds with their peers, commemorating Haitian Flag Day, celebrated on May 18. Freshmen Jaymee Jean, Rhod Limonta, Tatianna Maglorie-Robertson and Erik Pierre presented history on the formation of Haiti, its flag, and their own personal stories in one of Mr. Heitner’s freshman history classes.
Rhod Limonta was able to share information pertaining to the Haitian flag and its history which he has very close ties to. The Haitian flag features two horizontal stripes colored blue and red emblazoned by a white rectangle bearing the coat of arms of Haiti. The coat of arms includes a hilltop, weaponry and a palm tree. A white ribbon on the hillside reads “L’Union Fait La Force”, Unity is Strength. Rhod’s Aunt of eight generations ago, Catherine Flon, sewed the first Haitian flag on May 18, 1803, a national holiday celebrated in Haiti. Catherine Flon became a polarizing figure representative of the Haitian Revolution and Haitian Independence. Catherine’s Godfather, Jean-Jacques Dessalines, was the first ruler of Haiti after independence. Catherine became a symbol for Haitian women, gaining much admiration from all Haitians.
Paul Eugene Magloire, nicknamed “Bon Papa” served as Haiti’s President from 1950 to 1956. His great grandniece is Kellenberg student, Tatianna Maglorie-Robertson, who told her classmates about her Great Uncle’s memorable presidency. During Magloire’s administration his anti-communist stance gained popular favor with the United States government and he was invited to visit the White House in Washington D.C. To this day, Magloire is the only Haitian president to visit and stay as a guest at the White House.
Jaymee Jean provided her peers with facts about Haiti’s rich culture. The Legacy of the Taino is deep-rooted in Haitian culture today. The story of the Taino is one of survival. Despite the early colonial era devastation, the Taino people passed their knowledge of the cultural and natural world to the Europeans and Africans who arrived in the Caribbean Islands. Thanks to the Taino the Native culture and people survived and flourish today. In Haitian Creole, Ayiti is another word used to say Haiti and in the language of Taino, Haiti means the Land of the Mountains. Jaymee also explained the origins of yuca. Yuca is a commonly used word for the cassava plant which is widely eaten in Taino origins and still plays an important role in the diet of many South American countries today.
Erik Pierre offered his classmates details about arguably one of the most influential people in Haitian history. Toussaint L’ Ouverture was the figurehead of the Haitian Revolution and the person who unified Haitians to fight against the French. He is the most prominent figure of the Haitian Independence movement and one of the most respected people in Haitian history all together. Toussaint became a martyr of the Haitian movement on April 7, 1803 when he died of pneumonia and malnutrition after being captured and tortured by French soldiers. Erik’s cousin, Rene Preval was a former President of Haiti and promoted privatization of government companies, agrarian reform as well as did investigations of human rights abuses.
Since the beginning, Kellenberg has been dedicated to educating its students through both their minds and hearts, keeping in mind Civility, Order and Respect. Kellenberg understands that when it comes to diversity, it is imperative that students are heard and seen in the classroom and everywhere else in school, whether that be on sports teams or at clubs. Assistant Principal for Student Life, Mrs. Jennifer Mulligan, says there is great value in having diversity in the classroom.
“When working and learning with people from a variety of backgrounds and cultures present in the classroom, students gain a more comprehensive understanding of the subject matter. It also teaches students how to use their own strengths and points of view to contribute in a diverse working environment.” -Mrs. Jennifer Mulligan
As students navigate through the triumphs and challenges of being a high school student, it is important for them to know that at the very least, Kellenberg works to ensure their well being and happiness. If they want to be heard, they will be heard. If they wish to be seen, they will be seen. As seen with the recent celebration of Haitian Flag Day, honoring and embracing diversity is just one of the ways Kellenberg dedicates itself to making a difference in the lives of its students. At the very center of Kellenberg’s mission is the question ‘What would Jesus do?’. Loving, helping and appreciating one another are the foundations to a powerful community, a family.