NPHS students claim a “seat at the table”

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New Prague High School students want to be heard and have a seat at the table. In an effort to take action, they have taken on a project called A Seat at the Table.  The project is inspired by Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm’s famous words, “If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.” The Kennedy Institute launched the Seat at the Table Project in Fall 2018. “Through the project, the Institute invited individuals, schools, and community organizations to think about why diversity of representation is vital and what necessary contributions we each bring to the table when we pull up a chair.”

In front of the auditorium, there are 13 chairs, designed by a diverse group of students, displayed in front of the auditorium. They will be on display through Friday. This project was chosen by students after the school offered listening sessions as a follow-up to racial incidents in the community. The project is a platform for students to express identity, challenges, and the future by bringing their chairs for a conversation at the table. Those viewing the chairs scan a QR code for details about the chairs. The club BRIDGE (Building Relationships In Diverse Generations, Empowering Equity) is hoping courageous conversations occur with this project to open the minds and perspectives of students and staff at NPHS.