Maranatha High School Hosts Dr. Terrence Roberts of “The Little Rock 9”



MHS Headmaster Dr. David Gyertson, Dr. Terrence Roberts, and Director of Campus Ministries Joel Murphy.
History faculty Joe Zambrano speaks with Dr. Roberts after chapel.

Maranatha High School was pleased to welcome Dr. Terrence Roberts to speak at their student chapel recently.

As part of the “Little Rock 9”, Terrence Roberts was one of nine African American students to integrate Little Rock Central High School in 1957. He shared about his experiences of getting hassled and beat up on a daily basis, despite the military protection. Dr. Roberts knew from an early age that he was in charge of his education and said that is why he jumped at the chance to get the same education that white Americans had, regardless of the risks and persecutions he would face.

Dr. David Gyertson, Maranatha’s Headmaster said, “Dr. Roberts did an exceptional job of communicating the realities of what the nation has faced and continues to address as we seek racial reconciliation and equal opportunity for all. His gracious approach to these issues, winsome personality, and effectiveness in taking a very complex and difficult topic and translating it in ways that helped all of us better understand our ongoing responsibilities to work for justice, righteousness and forgiveness were informative and motivational. We were blessed by his presence among us as we celebrate and consider the important implications to be addressed as part of Black History Month at Maranatha.”

Rev Dr. Terrence Roberts speaking at MHS

Dr. Roberts reminded students at Maranatha that they are each special and unique. He encouraged them to be bold and to make a difference in the world. He asked them to think of “the last time they did something for the first time.” He also made it clear that racism is a choice and that we each have the choice as to how we will view and treat others that look different than us.

The entire student body and staff heard Mr. Roberts’ words of encouragement and his themes of education, faith, and worth. Many students stayed afterwards to shake his hand or give him a hug and have a picture taken with this inspirational man.

Maranatha High School, 169 S. St. John Avenue, Pasadena, (626) 817-4000 or visit www.maranatha-hs.org.

Caroline Connolly, Astyn Turrentine, Sarah Dixit, Hailey Bickett, Madie Johnson, Headmaster Dr. David Gyertson, Dr. Terrence Roberts, Chaplain and Director of Campus Ministries Joel Murphy, Jon Rinkus, Alley Guscott, Reed Newman, Ben Hynes, Front row: Jacquelyn Babikian and Kristine Brown

 

 

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