“Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'” - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

On Monday, the students, volunteers, and staff at Thurgood Marshall Academy participated in two separate service activities to celebrate the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service.

One group of 16 students (including Alethea Hanson, Josh Hamilton, Tyrell Jenkins and Malachi McCaskill pictured above) along with Mr. Kaplan and Ms. Gall, volunteered at the Ferebee Hope Elementary School in Southeast. Along with nearly 200 other volunteers coordinated by the DC Jewish Community Center, the students spent their day painting the inside of the school. With all four grades represented, TMA students meticulously taped off wall edges, papered the floors to avoid spills and spent hours rolling paint onto the walls. Not even a little paint on the clothes could deter them. When it was all over and the clean up began, several students expressed their enjoyment and their hopes to "do it again soon."

Meanwhile, back at the school, around 80 volunteers and students joined together to work on scholarship applications, college essays, and to learn about summer programs offered in the DC area.  We were overwhelmed by the showing of both volunteers and students, all of whom were extremely busy for the entire event.  Volunteers included current mentors, friends and family of staff, and members of IMAN, a Muslim volunteer organization.  Students and volunteers even exchanged contact information, hoping to stay in touch as deadlines and college acceptance letters approach.  Kudos to Ms. Levine, Ms. Fried, and Ms. Sher for organizing the event and to the students and volunteers who made sure it was a success!