Just in time for the holidays, students at Ella P. Stewart Academy for Girls were gifted brand-new pairs of tennis shoes.
Marjorie Holt, pastor of Bethesda Christian Center, said she chose to donate to the girls to encourage them and to let them know they are a part of a village that supports them in achieving their educational goals.
“Annually, I’ve decided that I’m going to be a blessing to a group, a school or a nonprofit in the community, and for several years I’ve done this,” she said. “It just so happened that this school for girls kind of dropped in my spirit this year to be a blessing to.”
In all, 167 pairs of shoes were distributed Wednesday to a gymnasium full of exuberant girls from kindergarten to sixth grade.
“As soon as we introduced Dr. Holt, and what she was doing today, they burst out and cheered,” said Shannon Carter, principal of the school named in honor of one the nation’s first Black female pharmacists.
“They are very appreciative of what they were given. We don’t take those things lightly. We do follow Dr. Stewart’s mantra that she always would share, which is, ‘Enter to learn, go forth to serve,’” Ms. Carter said.