This year at Grizzlies Prep, 7th grade scholars have spent many an English class studying Martin Luther King Jr.'s respected "I Have a Dream" speech. Together, scholars have collaboratively analyzed Dr. King's rhetoric and legacy, working hard to find both the meaning in his words and the role of his message in American history. As future Memphis leaders, our young men have a unique duty and desire to explore the past as a framework for the future that they are setting out to build.

Located in downtown Memphis, a city rich with historical overtones of the Civil Rights Movement, and uniquely a mere mile's walk from the National Civil Rights Museum, Grizzlies Prep has access to an incredible archive of a far-reaching, but locally-rooted story--one of social change that still echoes across America today.

With the start of our second semester comes January's Martin Luther King Jr. Day, as well as February's Black History Month. Such moments of reflection provide the perfect setting for our scholars to visit the Civil Rights Museum. Simultaneously, our first semester of English class culminated with the creation of speeches inspired by Dr. King's rhetoric--speeches on chosen topics ranging from Syrian Immigration to the social ramifications of Memphis' new white mayor to bodycams on police officers and the #blacklivesmatter movement. With Dr. King's legacy so directly influencing scholars work in the classroom, these young men are eager to learn more about the movement that inspires them.

Admission to the Civil Rights Museum is priced at $10 per student, with complementary chaperone tickets included for free. In the hopes that all of our scholars will have the opportunity to tour this incredibly relevant and enlightening museum, we are asking our families to cover half of the cost of their scholar’s ticket. With a class of 85 in the 7^th grade, this leaves us $425 short of a chance to walk through time together and tour the museum as a 7^th grade class.

We, as a 7^th grade team of teachers, are graciously asking for any donation that can contribute towards filling this financial gap. Our goal is that each and every student we serve will be able to participate in this field trip, unimpeded by financial restraints. With your contribution, our scholars will be inspired, informed, and intertwined in the history that we are still working to shape.

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