Roland Parrish, HHS Alumni Visit
A HHS Alumni by the name of Roland Parrish was honored recently at Hammond High School. He received a Hammond High Alumni Award due to his service of giving back to Hammond High School and the Hammond Community.
Parrish graduated Hammond High School in 1971 and has since then been a huge supporter of his Wildcat home.
On October 11th, Parrish was a guest speaker to a group of Hammond High students. During the one-hour-long session, he spoke to us about his history at Hammond High and what he accomplished under the same roof we are currently under. He spoke about the stable foundation he gained from watching his father, the late Reverend John H. Parrish, go to work throughout the week and church on the weekends. He explained the importance of study habits and doing your best to focus on your education.
The most touching moment during the session was when he connected on a personal basis to Noah Clay. Clay is a Hammond High School senior who is a part of the HHS Blueprint class. The Blueprint class is founded by the Hammond Education Foundation where a selected group of students are prepared for their transition from high school to college.
Clay asked Parrish, “Have you ever lost anyone close to you recently that you feel has impacted what you do in life greatly.” Parrish went on to answer the question after shedding a few tears because he knew he wouldn’t be shamed around fellow Wildcat sisters and brothers. He began to talk a bit more deeply about the impact his father had on his life and how his father couldn’t have been a better example because he was everything he could have asked for. The select group then applauded Parrish for speaking to them and illuminating their mind to the fact that you could do great things if you put your mind to it. Parrish ended his speech stating, “Once a Wildcat, Always a Wildcat.”
Mr. Joshua Craig and the D.I.L Project
I was pondering on who I would shoutout a few days ago, and Mr. Craig came to mind. I was sitting in the media center during 5th period while I was thinking about who I should write about, and he just happened to walk in the door. It hit me immediately that Craig was doing something positive within our school that was 100% worth writing about. Craig is one of Hammond High’s artistic teachers who has greatly improved the art culture within our building. One of the many projects he is working, the D.I.L Project is one that I have witnessed firsthand.
The acronym D.I.L stands for Digital Innovation Lab. The school has invested with buying a 3D Printer & an X-Carve and has began renovating two rooms within the media center to become the D.I.L’s permanent home.
I took a different approach this time and decided to interview Craig. The first question I came up with was: “What inspired you to start and follow through with the D.I.L Project?”
Craig responded with what his dream has always been. He answered, “First, I have always believed in the power and agency that making things by hands provides. The ability to actualize something from your mind is transformative and it was my hope that the D.I.L could bring that same sense of accomplishment, pride, and agency to our student body. I have attempted to model the D.I.L after the New York Hall of Science Makerspace because of the way in which science, technology, and math curriculum are intertwined with a mission of social justice.”
The second question I asked was, “How do the current students involved with helping to formulate and bring this project to life respond to assignments given?” Craig answered that, “Each year, we have began to see growth in terms of interest levels from students. Now that we have a permanent home within the media center, I expect interest to continually rise.”
Lastly, I asked, “What are some objectives that are hoped to be accomplished by the project?”
Craig said, “I hope that the D.I.L becomes a space where students are inspired to make, learn, share, collaborate, ask deep questions, and develop a love of learning through making. These are the fundamental basics that motivated me and is what I hope will be the lasting legacy of the D.I.L in the building.
I want to let Mr. Craig know that I appreciate the way he is using art and his creative mind to improve the culture of our school. As a teacher, he has truly touched infinity because what he has taught will be carried down through the years.
Thanks you, Mr. Craig, for being one of the greatest art teachers ever!