ACLU Selects Orchard Grad for Advocacy Program in D.C. She Credits Orchard for Her Interest in Social Justice

Rachel Bates '17 is currently a sophomore at University High School. She was selected to join other high school students from across the country to participate in a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity in Washington D.C. Rachel will work directly with lobbyists, lawyers, and other social justice advocates.

Rachel credits her Progressive foundation at Orchard for her interest in human rights. 

"The thing I love most about Orchard is that it taught me to embrace what makes everyone different. The teachers encourage students to share their family’s culture and taught us at a very young age to be accepting and enjoy other students’ differences and to not be afraid of them. I can remember my mom bringing in potato latkes and ingredients to make chocolate dreidels during Hanukkah when I was in elementary school. I can also remember other students’ parents coming in to teach similar topics. This has piqued an interest in me to learn more about human rights in high school and also to attend the summer ACLU advocacy program."



Click here to read University High School's post.

Progressive education tenet: We foster active citizenship and stewardship rooted in justice, integrity, character, ethics and courageous compassion.
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