Mepham HS Students Show Solidarity With Paris

The French Honor Society and the A World of Difference club recently invited Mepham High School students and staff to wear the colors of the French flag in a gesture of solidarity and peace after the Paris terror attacks.

Students and staff gathered after school for a photograph behind the banner created by Mepham social studies teacher Henry Dircks. The banner reads “Vive la liberté,” which means “Long live freedom.”

Betsy Siegelaub, the faculty advisor for the French Honor Society, and A World of Difference club advisor Josephine Parlagreco were instrumental in organizing the effort after students Melissa Rosenberg, Kristina Schwab and Kelsey White emailed Siegelaub, asking how they could raise awareness after the attacks.

“I felt that the most meaningful yet simple and feasible activity was to invite the school to wear the flag colors and then take a picture to document it,” Siegelaub said.

In the background of the photo are the more than 275 American and military flags planted recently by the senior class as part of a service-based project to thank service members and raise money for the organization Tuesday’s Children.

Photo courtesy of the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District.