Posted on Friday, March 22, 2024
Students gained a new perspective on the importance of making their voice heard at the polls after taking part in the Civil Rights Heritage Tour March 2-3.
The trip, organized by the Southern Christian Leadership Conference Women’s Organizational Movement for Equality Now Inc., was possible through a grant from the North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church. Seven students participated in the two-day event.
“The tour allowed our students to be able to learn not just from textbooks, but also through seeing the places and hearing the stories,” said the Rev. Ashley Jenkins. “What made this trip an amazing experience was that people who fought for civil rights and voting rights helped lead the trip. Our students were able to meet some of the history makers of the movement.”
During the trip, the LC group visited Alabama sites dedicated to individuals pivotal to the civil rights movement, including the National Voting Rights Museum in Selma, the Civil Rights Memorial Center in Montgomery, and the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, where a bombing claimed the lives of four African American girls. Alvin Lewis, who was involved with the movement as a boy, spoke to students about the tragedy and the children’s march.
“Being able to engage and speak with people who actively participated in the events we read about in our history books was a humbling experience,” said freshman Kenneth Howard.
While in Alabama, the LC group also heard stories about Willie Lee Jackson, the Rev. James Orange and Viola Liuzzo, activists who gave their lives to the cause.
Students were surprised to learn that Liuzzo was white yet played an active role in the movement.
“She was a mother of five kids who drove from Michigan to Alabama to be part of the cause,” said sophomore Bryant Hubbert. “She transported protestors who couldn’t walk or might be harmed from Selma to Montgomery in this march. Through her actions, she wanted to get the message across that all people are created equal.”
On the last day of the tour, the students walked across the Edmund Pettus Bridge, the site of Bloody Sunday, a tragic event in Selma, Alabama, that killed and injured peaceful protestors marching to Montgomery in 1965.
While at the bridge, students heard Vice President Kamala Harris give remarks commemorating the 59th anniversary of the event.
Sophomores Jaylan Harris and Madison Powell shared how their experiences on the tour have ignited a spark in them to act on their civic duty of voting.
“I was motivated to be more involved in what is going on in politics after hearing this quote: ‘Voting is the most powerful nonviolent movement that we have,’” Harris said. “This tour showed me that these people sacrificed a lot just to fight for the rights for us to take part in the electoral process.”
“The activists who came before us to advocate for voting rights were not afforded the same opportunities we have at the polls,” Powell said. “We can honor these champions for change by casting our ballot and spreading the word.”
To register for upcoming elections, visit the Georgia Secretary of State’s website.
Dance Marathon Event
Saturday, March 23
Noon, Beason Recital Hall, West Side
Spring Preview Day
LaGrange College Preview Day is your one-stop-opportunity to learn about all things LC. On April 13, you and your guest will hear from Admissions, Financial Aid and Student Life, tour our beautiful 130-acre campus and meet one-on-one with current students, faculty and Financial Aid representatives. Register on the Admissions website.
Baseball
The Panthers swept The College of Wooster 4-3 and 6-5 on Monday, March 18. The team hosts Berea on Saturday, March 23, at 2 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. and Sunday, March 24, at 2 p.m.
Softball
LC beat Covenant 10-2 and 6-2 in a home doubleheader on Saturday, March 16. The Panthers hit the road to face Mississippi University for Women on Sunday, March 24, at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Men’s Tennis
The Panthers home match ended early against Huntingdon due to rain on Friday, March 15. They will continue the match on April 18. The team faces Covenant and Asbury on Saturday, March 23. On Sunday, the Panthers will compete against Johnson University at Covenant.
Women’s Tennis
The Panthers had to end their home match against Huntingdon early due to rain on Friday, March 15. They will continue the match on April 18. The team will play against Covenant and Asbury on Saturday, March 23. On Sunday, the Panthers will face Johnson University at Covenant.
Golf
LC is playing in the Jekyll Island Collegiate Invitational that is happening through the weekend in Jekyll Island, Georgia.
Lacrosse
The Panthers lost 27-8 to Pfeiffer University at home on Saturday, March 16. The team hits the road to face Methodist University on Saturday, March 23, at 1 p.m.
Beach Volleyball
LC lost 5-0 matches to Mercer and Carson Newman twice. On Tuesday, the team lost their six matches at home to Truett McConnell. The Panthers do not compete this upcoming week.
(Please note that schedules may change due to circumstances beyond our control. Please check www.lagrangepanthers.com to confirm.)
Friday, March 22 – Golf at Jekyll Island Collegiate Invitational, Jekyll Island, Georgia
Friday, March 22 – Lacrosse at Methodist, 5 p.m., Fayetteville, North Carolina
Saturday, March 23 – Golf at Jekyll Island Collegiate Invitational, Jekyll Island, Georgia
Saturday, March 23 – Men’s Tennis against Asbury @Covenant, 10 a.m., Lookout Mountain, Georgia
Saturday, March 23 – Women’s Tennis against Asbury @Covenant, 10 a.m., Lookout Mountain, Georgia
Saturday, March 23 – Baseball (Home) vs. Berea, 2 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., Cleaveland Field at Williamson Stadium
Saturday, March 23 – Men’s Tennis at Covenant, 2:30 p.m., Lookout Mountain, Georgia
Saturday, March 23 – Women’s Tennis at Covenant, 2:30 p.m., Lookout Mountain, Georgia
Sunday, March 24 – Golf at Jekyll Island Collegiate Invitational, Jekyll Island, Georgia
Sunday, March 24 – Softball at Mississippi University for Women, 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., Columbus, Mississippi
Sunday, March 24 – Men’s Tennis vs. Johnson @Covenant, TBA, Lookout Mountain, Georgia
Sunday, March 24 – Women’s Tennis vs. Johnson @Covenant, TBA, Lookout Mountain, Georgia
Sunday, March 24 – Baseball (Home) vs. Berea, 2 p.m., Cleaveland Field at Williamson Stadium
Wednesday, March 27 – Baseball (Home) vs. Birmingham-Southern, 5:30 p.m., Cleaveland Field at Williamson Stadium
Wednesday, March 27 – Lacrosse at Huntingdon, 8 p.m., Montgomery, Alabama
Thursday, March 28 – Softball at Belhaven, 5 p.m. and 7 p.m., Jackson, Mississippi
Category: Students, Arts and Culture
Keywords: History, Education
