JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — For the fourth year in a row, Duval County Public Schools hosted its African-American History Summer Writing Program.
It is an opportunity for students to learn about local Black history in Jacksonville. Some students who participated and graduated returned as interns. This year's theme is Embracing Legacy; Honoring the Past; Enriching the Future.
The workshop is three weeks long. Students who were selected are given an assignment and they have to do the research on their own. This year's projects included topics such as the history of the historic Black neighborhood LaVilla, the significance of Edward Waters University and local historic figures. Students will then present what they have learned in the community.
Jenesy Griffin, a teacher with DCPS, said the selected students demonstrated they're passionate about learning Jacksonville's Black History.
"Our kids have put in a lot of hard work," Griffin said. "They're doing a lot of research. They're going out to the community, they're talking to people. It is a lot and we as the teachers are allowing them to do that."
Queenie Ye and Isys Boateng are entering their senior year in high school. Ye participated in last year's workshop but it is Boateng's first time attending the program. Ye expressed how much she enjoyed the event and has an appreciation for the local Black history. They worked on the history of the LaVilla.
"We focused on past LaVilla and how its impacted new LaVilla," Ye explained.
"Now that I've experienced it, I would definitely do it again next year. I don't think I would be an intern. I would definitely do the same thing, making the lesson plan, that was so cool," Boateng explained.
DCPS said the projects and researching resources will be made available to DCPS classrooms for the upcoming school year. Students who are interested in attending the summer writing program, can apply during Spring Break. The workshop is open to students in the 10th-12th grades.