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John Marshall students tell school board HBCU tour deepened college aspirations
Summary
Students from John Marshall High School described an HBCU college tour to the Rochester Public Schools board, saying visits to sites including Black Wall Street and Langston University broadened understanding of Black history and increased interest in college among participants.
Students from John Marshall High School's Black Student Union told the Rochester Public Schools board on April 7 that an HBCU college tour strengthened their sense of belonging and inspired postsecondary plans.
Director Whitehorn introduced the delegation and said the trip had brought 35 students and 13 chaperones to several campuses and historic sites. "We went to Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Black Wall Street," a student recounted, describing the experience of walking the sites and learning the history in person. Students emphasized seeing "prosperous people that look like me" and said the trip opened their ideas about college.
Speakers included Adam, co-vice president of the John Marshall BSU, who said the event helped him "cultivate my environment" and urged the board to support making the trip an annual tradition. Eighth-grader Dane Johnson said the tour was an "eye opener" about Black history and peaceful community achievements; other students said they had grown in confidence and wanted more students across Rochester Public Schools to have similar experiences.
Board members praised the student leadership and fundraising that supported the trip—routines including raffles and spaghetti dinners—and thanked staff and community partners who provided financial and logistical support.
The board noted plans for another trip Oct. 15—17 to Harris-Stowe, Lincoln University (St. Louis) and Kentucky State University, and several members encouraged continued district support of student-led enrichment opportunities that expose students to college pathways.
The board did not take a formal vote on the recognition, but members applauded the students and asked that the district consider ways to sustain similar experiences across schools.
