For Immediate Release
Contact: Evelyne Girardet
(312) 573-4646
egirardet@latinschool.org

Students Participate in Chicago Historical Society’s
9/11 Commemoration
Student artists in the High Jump academic enrichment program will share their thoughts about community, patriotism, and the impact of September 11, during “Symbol of Community: The High Jump Flag Project” at The Chicago Historical Society (Clark Street at North Avenue) on Saturday, March 16.

The event, part of the Historical Society’s commemoration of the six-month anniversary of September 11, is scheduled to begin at 3:30 p.m. with a viewing of the flag, followed by the student-led discussion and slide show. The flag will be on display in the Historical Society’s lobby March 1-17.

Seventh and eighth graders in High Jump’s visual arts classes spent two months studying the elements and meaning of the American flag before they tackled the job of creating a new flag of their own. They used symbols, images, and the written word to decorate the 240 squares of red, white, and blue cloth that make up the 12-foot by 18-foot banner.

According to Amanda Rivera Lopez, public historian and exhibition developer at the Historical Society, the piece is a moving interpretation of a national tragedy from the perspective of individuals whose collective voice is not often heard—teenagers.

“This flag is a memorial of healing,” said Lopez. "By describing their creative process, these students give us a glimpse into their thoughts about what happened. Their willingness to talk about and deal with these issues will contribute to better understanding among all of us.”

High Jump is a tuition-free, two-and-a-half year, academic enrichment program for talented and motivated middle school students with limited family income. The program, founded in 1989 and hosted by The Latin School of Chicago, prepares students for top parochial, public, and independent college preparatory schools.

For more information about the exhibit or High Jump call Damian R. Jones, (312) 573-4517, or check the Chicago Historical Web site at http://www.chicagohs.org/exhibition.html#highjump.