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Burke Beat
Founders Day 2021
"Once a year the entire school community comes together to celebrate our school and each other." – Jonah L. '21, Co-President, Student Government Association
Friday, April 23, marked the annual Founders Day celebration. While the usual carnival atmosphere, including a highly contentious tug-of-war match, were not on the docket this year, our students and faculty "FD" team produced an upbeat, thought-provoking program – and ensured everyone could participate.
Friday, April 23, marked the annual Founders Day celebration. While the usual carnival atmosphere, including a highly contentious tug-of-war match, were not on the docket this year, our students and faculty "FD" team produced an upbeat, thought-provoking program – and ensured everyone could participate.
Student leaders settled on an astrological-themed event, designing twelve different shirts and delivering one to every student and adult. On Friday, students gathered in advisory groups before a keynote address by Marc Murphy – who delved into the food and restaurant industries, the impact of the pandemic on employment and food insecurity, and his own journey to the kitchen.
Currently a judge on the Food Network's Chopped and Chopped Junior, Marc also has appeared on Guy's Grocery Games, Guy's Ranch Kitchen, Beat Bobby Flay, The Today Show, Good Morning America, HSN and the Rachael Ray Show among others. He has served as the President of the Manhattan chapter of the New York State Restaurant Association, is a Food Council & Board Member of City Harvest, and sits on the Leadership Council of Share our Strength's No Kid Hungry campaign.
Students and faculty then divided among eighteen different seminars, led by Burke alumni and past faculty, centered on civic engagement and social change. Choices included:
Students then congregated on Zoom for some lip-synching and a very serious "noise contest" among the astrological signs, led by Didi O. '21 and Jonah L. '21. The assembly featured speeches from juniors and graduating seniors Morgan D. '21, Jay S. '22, Sidney H. '21, Jeremy G. '21, Miranda G. '22, and Kalea G. P. '21, as well as Head of School Damian Jones.
"One of the things I like most about Burke is the Atrium. The Atrium may be just a room, but every day it comes to life. I'm grateful for all the friendships I’ve made and fostered in that space. Every time I walk into the Atrium, I feel like there’s always someone to talk to or something to do. There, I’ve laughed, cried, slept, and most importantly, been myself. If you are able to get the chance to go back to school, I encourage you: go in the Atrium or Commons or Middle School area and reflect on your favorite memory in that space." - Miranda G. '22, Student Speaker on FD
Student FD Leaders
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Currently a judge on the Food Network's Chopped and Chopped Junior, Marc also has appeared on Guy's Grocery Games, Guy's Ranch Kitchen, Beat Bobby Flay, The Today Show, Good Morning America, HSN and the Rachael Ray Show among others. He has served as the President of the Manhattan chapter of the New York State Restaurant Association, is a Food Council & Board Member of City Harvest, and sits on the Leadership Council of Share our Strength's No Kid Hungry campaign.
Students and faculty then divided among eighteen different seminars, led by Burke alumni and past faculty, centered on civic engagement and social change. Choices included:
- Anti-Racist Mathematics
- Art of Non-Violent Communication
- Does Climate Discriminate?
- How to Navigate DC Government to Impact Social Change
- How Women of Color are Leading the Way to Close the Racial Wealth Gap
- Investing in Psycho-Emotional Education & Celebrating Neurodiversity
- Student Activism
Students then congregated on Zoom for some lip-synching and a very serious "noise contest" among the astrological signs, led by Didi O. '21 and Jonah L. '21. The assembly featured speeches from juniors and graduating seniors Morgan D. '21, Jay S. '22, Sidney H. '21, Jeremy G. '21, Miranda G. '22, and Kalea G. P. '21, as well as Head of School Damian Jones.
"One of the things I like most about Burke is the Atrium. The Atrium may be just a room, but every day it comes to life. I'm grateful for all the friendships I’ve made and fostered in that space. Every time I walk into the Atrium, I feel like there’s always someone to talk to or something to do. There, I’ve laughed, cried, slept, and most importantly, been myself. If you are able to get the chance to go back to school, I encourage you: go in the Atrium or Commons or Middle School area and reflect on your favorite memory in that space." - Miranda G. '22, Student Speaker on FD
Student FD Leaders
Anatiyah W. ‘21, Didi O. ‘21, Jay S. ‘22, Jeremy G. ‘21, Jonah L. ‘21, Kalea G. P. ‘21, Lauren S. ‘21, Miranda G. ‘22, Morgan D. ‘21, and Sidney H. ‘21
Co-ed, progressive, college prep school in Washington, DC featuring a challenging curriculum in an inclusive environment for grades 6-12.
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