Knightly News

“Martin Luther King Jr. was a remarkable leader and activist who inspires people all around the world to uphold the vital values of equality, respect, and justice. MLK Day pushes many to participate in service opportunities and give time back to their communities. Personally, because we’re given a day off on this national holiday, I like to devote that free time toward honoring King’s legacy through service.” Kathy Hu, Episcopal junior, community volunteer

There was a sea of volunteers at the recent service day in Gardere. To celebrate the life and contributions of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., representatives from the mayor’s office, the Youth City Lab Youth Council, Front Yard Bikes, Line4Line, the Gardere Initiative, Emergent Method and the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office teamed up to spruce up Hartley Vey Park. Among the volunteers was a group of enthusiastic Episcopal students.

“I decided to participate in service on Martin Luther King Jr. day because I wanted to reach out and help our community on a day dedicated to service,” says freshman and community volunteer Jordan Harvey. “The experience showed me that the Baton Rouge community is much larger than I thought it was. I also learned that many different groups working together could make an impact and help those who need it most.”

Creating a Bright Environment through Volunteer Work

According to Lucy Perera with Line4Line, Episcopal volunteers were a key to the event’s success. “The group that arrived early were instrumental in taking my idea of the mural concept and making it a reality,” Perera says. “The leadership skills of this group were impressive, and I couldn’t have imagined a more beautiful, authentic outcome.”

Hu says the experience was a great way to celebrate Dr. King. “Our student volunteers were tasked with decorating various parts of Hartley Vey Park with lively artwork, including creating a bookshelf mural on a cargo container and painting the sides of garden planters,” she says. “We also assisted the children who came to the event and wanted to read or paint. It was a meaningful experience that made me realize how impactful art and literature can be in our lives. By making the park more colorful and exciting, we helped create a bright environment for the children and residents living there.”

Service Learning is Back!

Excitement is growing around Episcopal’s service learning program as more opportunities like the recent service day return after a pandemic hiatus. Before the holiday break, student leaders successfully organized a Christmas drive for families at the IRIS Center. Prior to that, students supported the Shepherd’s Market Food Pantry with a Thanksgiving food drive. In addition, members of the school’s athletic teams have participated in a range of opportunities to support the community.

Senior Chaplain Skully Knight is proud of what Episcopal students have accomplished. “As usual, our kids always make an impact,” he says. “When we get kids involved in service learning, whether they engage somewhat reluctantly or enthusiastically, they always learn something new. It’s one of the times in a school setting when you can almost see the kids grow and learn. We often have to wait a while to see those seeds bear fruit, but when they get out in their community and start to understand who their neighbors truly are, it’s instant. The light comes on in a way that’s truly joyful.”

Thank you to all of the Episcopal community members who have participated in a project this year and made a difference in our community!

The Episcopal School of Baton Rouge 2024-2025 application is now available! ​For more information on the application process, to schedule a tour, or learn more about the private school, contact us at [email protected] or 225-755-2685.