Orchard parent Shannon Presto, along with several of her Warren Central High School friends, organized the Families for Allies Rally at Holliday Park on Saturday, June 11th. With "Educate. Unite. Change." as the tagline, the purpose of the rally was to get information on how to talk to your children about race and how we can all work together to become allies.

 

Several Orchard community members spoke at the event including Orchard’s Diversity Committee Chair Dawn Batson, Orchard’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Coordinator Vanessa Bertoni McElroy, retired preschool teacher Julie Wingate, and retired IMPD Sergeant and Orchard parent Chris Wilburn. They all delivered important DEI messages to a group of nearly 100 people.

 

Head of School Sherri Helvie was also in attendance along with many other Orchard families and teachers.

 

Attendees also heard from people outside of the Orchard community. Educators, college students, and mental health workers all shared stories and reiterated that now is the time to come together and make a change for the better.