GPS and Brainerd High students gather for lunch and conversation
GPS Social Justice classes welcomed students from Brainerd High School for conversation and lunch. Members of Brainerd’s Leadership and Ladies First programs toured the school and chatted about classes, sports, and clubs with GPS girls, initiating the second year of the partnership between the two groups.
Smiling and laughing as they got to know each other better, these girls and boys considered opportunities for future fellowship and collaboration. Meg Marshall, a GPS junior, thought “it was cool to see how the girls had the same interests” -- and the same worries about college applications.
“It was nice to brainstorm about causes we both believe in,” added Haven Nguyen, a sophomore member of the class, and to talk about ways to promote those causes together. Not least, “it was fun!” exclaimed sophomore Megan Burnette.
The partnership between the two schools began last year in an effort to foster communication among the Chattanooga community’s youth, and this year’s Social Justice students are excited to continue this relationship, said officials. Teacher Callie Hamilton says, “If our girls come away from this partnership with an appreciation for diversity, a sense of kinship and shared responsibility with other youth for shaping the future of our city and country, and an ability to view situations from multiple perspectives, then I will be a very happy teacher.”