Education takes many forms, both inside and outside the classroom. Some of the most important lessons happen when students are asked to engage with the world around them.
That opportunity took shape during LancasterHistory’s Juneteenth programming, where students from Advantage Lancaster joined community leaders for “Reimagining Freedom,” a panel discussion exploring freedom, civic engagement and leadership in today’s world.
Held at Southern Market, the conversation brought together Dr. Leroy Hopkins, Professor Emeritus at Millersville University, Sandra Brown, community representative of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and retired School District of Lancaster educator, and students from Advantage Lancaster. The discussion was moderated by Dr. Danielle Brown, Education Chair of the NAACP Lancaster.
Panelists challenged attendees to think beyond freedom as a historical milestone and consider what it means in everyday life. Topics ranged from civic participation and community responsibility to leadership and the role young people play in shaping the future.
For Advantage Lancaster students, the event provided an opportunity to participate in a conversation that connected history to the present. Rather than learning about freedom solely through textbooks, students were invited to engage with community leaders, share perspectives and reflect on how the lessons of the past continue to influence the world around them.
The discussion was part of a broader day of Juneteenth programming hosted by LancasterHistory. Earlier, families gathered at the Stevens & Smith Center for a Juneteenth storytime featuring A Flag for Juneteenth by Kim Taylor. The event introduced young learners to the history of Juneteenth through storytelling while highlighting Lancaster’s own connections to the fight for freedom through the legacies of Thaddeus Stevens and Lydia Hamilton Smith.
Both events reflected a shared belief that history is most meaningful when it helps people better understand their role in the present.
At the School District of Lancaster, preparing students for the future means creating opportunities for students to think critically, engage with their communities and understand the responsibilities that come with citizenship.
Juneteenth invites us to remember the past, but it also challenges us to consider how we move forward. Through programs like Advantage Lancaster and partnerships with organizations such as LancasterHistory, students are encouraged to ask questions, listen to different perspectives and become active participants in shaping the communities they will one day lead. For more photos, visit us on Facebook.