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80-RE4
Top Member
USA
5700 Posts |
 Posted - 03/20/2006 : 07:51:23 AM
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This is a story of how a central Massachusetts school, Doherty Memorial High, was recently hit with vandalism. The kids of this school united as ONE and that is stronger than what the cowards who vandalized the school could ever do.
There are three inserts from the local newspapers along with a picture from the rally. Hate is obviously present in the world, but what's even more stronger than hate is when a group of students are strong enough to squash it. Great job to Doherty High students and community for taking a stand.
Friday, March 17, 2006
Students rally against hate
300 from Doherty urge diversity
By Mike Elfland TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF
melfland@telegram.com
http://www.telegram.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060317/NEWS/603170415/1008/NEWSSEVEN02
Doherty Memorial High School students yesterday march to rally against hate graffiti found at their school. (T&G Staff/BETTY JENEWIN)
WORCESTER,Massachusetts— Like the solvent used to wash away the epithets painted on the side of its school, the Doherty Memorial High School student body yesterday used its collective voice to erase any public perception that its school is a haven for hate.
More than 300 Doherty students and faculty members, joined by community and city leaders, held a walking rally that student organizers said was a first step in countering the discovery Monday morning of graffiti that maligned the Latino, black, Jewish and gay communities. Soon after school ended, students made their way to Elm Park and set off on a march that took them through the park and the school neighborhood.
“It’s a unified school. Unified, that’s the key word,” said Michael Waller, a Doherty sophomore of black and Asian descent. He proudly declared that Doherty is a place that embraces minorities.
The 45-minute rally was organized by Doherty students in the hours after custodians washed spray-painted graffiti from windows at the rear of the school. The mix of slurs has been the talk of the school in recent days. No one has been charged in the case. Police are hoping a tip line will aid in the investigation.
From freshmen to seniors, Doherty students made their way along the rally route with a spirited offering of chants and signs — all urging diversity. One sign read: “Stand up 4 Diversity in America.” Another: “Speak up, Speak out.” Students cheered when passing motorists obliged their request to honk for diversity.
A point of pride, for students and teachers, was the fact that the rally was put together by students.
“We were very disturbed by it,” senior Kledia Spiro, a rally organizer, said of the graffiti. “Instead of letting it have a negative effect on the school, we wanted a positive outcome.”
Kerrin Doyle, a freshman, said the rally, not the graffiti, was an accurate reflection of Doherty.
“We didn’t want it to represent our school — it doesn’t,” she said.
Many teachers walked the route with the students, as did school administrators, among them Principal Sally Maloney. One teacher said the graffiti was particularly unsettling to the many students who had never had a direct encounter with hate. The teacher, like Ms. Maloney, was quick to point out that the students should be commended for organizing and participating in the rally.
Senior Craig Doyle said the big turnout could ultimately help cut down on vandalism.
“It’s important to show the kids who did this that it’s not respected,” he said of the vandals. “What do you get out of it?”
------------------------------------------------------------------Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Doherty hit by vandals
Racial, ethnic slurs spray painted on building
By Rushmie Kalke TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF
WORCESTER,MASSACHUSETTS— School officials found a dozen windows at Doherty Memorial High School covered with spray-painted racial and ethnic slurs yesterday morning, prompting them to quickly inform all school parents by telephone, according to authorities.
The graffiti, painted in black and white on windows in the rear of the building, targeted the Latino, black, Jewish and gay communities, and included a swastika and a satanic symbol, school officials said.
The vandalism was removed and parents were notified about 9 a.m. after police studied the markings, said Deputy Superintendent Stephen E. Mills. While the slurs were cleaned up as quickly as possible, some students still saw the graffiti, he said.
“We are outraged,” Mr. Mills said. “Our fundamental core values are about appreciating and celebrating diversity.”
The vandalism occurred sometime between the custodians’ safety check at 5 p.m. Sunday and early yesterday, said School Safety Liaison Robert F. Pezzella.
Police took pictures and interviewed school officials about possible suspects, he said. Assistant Principal William Foley notified parents via Connect-Ed, the school system’s automated telephone system.
“Most importantly we are asking faculty to explain (to students) how horrific this incident was, not only to the school community but to the entire community,” Mr. Pezzella said. “This isn’t a reflection of what the Worcester public school system stands for.”
Based on the initial investigation, the vandalism was not connected to a high school basketball game that prompted the South High Community School coach to allege that referees were racially motivated, he said.
“We are going to do everything in our power to convict the individual or individuals responsible and ask that they be prosecuted to the full extent of the law for a hate crime,” Mr. Pezzella said.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Police Department detective bureau at (508) 799-8651.
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Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Doherty students plan pro-diversity walk
TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF
WORCESTER— As a peaceful response to hateful graffiti that marred school windows on Monday and targeted many racial and ethnic groups, Doherty Memorial High School students have organized a walk to celebrate the city’s diversity.
The event, called “Hand in Hand,” is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. tomorrow and will start and end at Elm Park on the corner of Russell and Elm streets.
The public is invited to join students on the walk, said Robert F. Pezzella, school safety liaison.
A tip line created last year by the Police Department after a rash of bomb threats at South High Community School has been reinstituted to gather information on any possible graffiti suspects, he said. A cash reward is being offered to those who provide information that leads to an arrest.
Students who know of anyone responsible for the graffiti are encouraged to speak with Doherty school officials, Mr. Pezzella said.
Those with information are asked to call the tip line at (508) 799-8655, or the School Safety Office at (508) 799-3472.
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Edited by - 80-RE4 on 03/20/2006 07:54:42 AM
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Massachusetts students march against hate
