John P. Parker School students have been engaging with local history through the 2,892 Miles to Go project, an educational initiative designed to highlight untold stories within their community. This program provided students with insights into the life of John P. Parker and encouraged exploration of themes such as racial identity and community history.
Principal Kimberly Mack stated, “We were invited to participate in this program, and our students had the incredible opportunity to learn about John P. Parker’s life and its significance to our community.” She added that the project aligns with the school's mission of helping students understand their history's importance today.
The initiative is supported by the National Geographic Society and encourages collaboration with local leaders, historians, and advocates to uncover overlooked historical narratives. For John P. Parker School, it extends their broader mission focused on historical literacy alongside college and career readiness.
“Our school’s mission is to ensure our students are college and career-ready,” Principal Mack explained. The program included a visit to Northern Kentucky University, which she said helps students envision themselves in higher education settings.
Students also broadened their understanding of racial identity beyond local contexts by conversing with scholars about race in different parts of the world like the Dominican Republic. Locally, workshops with historians taught them about Cincinnati's role in the Underground Railroad.
“We start young with lessons about the Underground Railroad because it’s important for our students to understand the historical significance of this movement,” said Principal Mack. “It’s not just something they read about; it's something that happened where they live.”
The project has been informative for many students, enhancing their sense of identity and belonging by engaging personally with history. “Our students come away with a much deeper sense of identity,” Principal Mack shared.
For John P. Parker School, 2,892 Miles to Go is more than a project; it's an experience connecting students with their past and community.