Inaugural FWCD MLK Service Day

Nearly 80 FWCD community members – students, parents, faculty and staff – including the boys JV and varsity basketball team and several fourth graders, came together on Monday, January 16, to celebrate the life and legacy of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King. FWCD’s inaugural all-School MLK Service Day set a strong and steady foundation on which to build. All divisions had representation and worked hard at a Mission Arlington church site. The event was coordinated by Kelly Lanier Tierce ’93, JK-12 Service Learning Coordinator, and Nicole Masole, Director of Community Engagement and Inclusion. View the slideshow.

The day started with breakfast in the Fischer Dining Pavilion and a discussion of the day’s purpose. “Dr. King led a vision for the Beloved Community,” Masole said. “Our purpose for the day was to be a group of folks centering the humanity and beauty of people by helping an organization that is committed to addressing inequities in Tarrant County. United we served!”

Participants boarded two buses and began making their way to the service site. “Mission Arlington supports and sponsors over 360 local congregations to further expand their services beyond their central location,” Masole notes. “We supported one of those locations by picking up trash around the building, cleaning and organizing their central meeting location, and reorganizing their donation areas.”

Groups of people moved furniture, a crew of participants organized clothing, and some Lower School students enjoyed organizing the toy donation area.  

“Everyone just dove right in,” Tierce said. “As the Assistant Head of Lower School, I was so happy to see so many younger students joining in the experience. Unfortunately, there are not many opportunities for our youngest Falcons. I know there are more to come.” 

Upon return to campus, Masole led the group in a reflection on Dr. King’s legacy and the Beloved Community. “We reflected on our experience and discussed how we will continue to uplift and address inequities in our world in the future,” Masole said. “It was a sweet time for all who participated, and I don’t simply want to say, ‘I look forward to next year!’ Instead, I choose to say, ‘I look forward to seeing how we will make a difference in the lives of others year-round!’”