A sea of purple flooded the playground at Stonegate Elementary in Irvine as students walked around campus together in honor of a little girl who, 63 years ago, had taken the first steps to desegregate an all-White elementary school in the South.
“I felt really encouraged because Ruby Bridges marched through a bunch of angry protesters to go to school,” said fifth-grader Serah Stephan. “We walked for her because she set an example and she helped us to be equal. The walk made me feel like even if we are feeling down, we can walk through it.”
The 10-year-old was one of hundreds of Stonegate students to participate in a walk to honor Ruby Bridges, who on Nov. 14, 1960, at 6 years old became the first Black child to attend the White-only William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans. As the small girl walked into the school with U.S. Marshals at her side, she was met with hateful protesters and racist signs.
California proclaimed Nov. 14 to be Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day in 2021 after fifth-graders at Martin Elementary School in San Francisco implored legislators to commemorate Bridge’s courage. According to the Ruby Bridges Foundation, more than 340,000 people last year walked in her honor.
Stonegate students from first to sixth grade divided into three groups and looped around the soccer field for 15 minutes while kids’ versions of bops like Justin Timberlake’s “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” and Taylor Swift’s “Shake It Off” blared from the speaker. Almost every student had on purple (Bridges’ favorite color) in support of the Ruby Bridges Foundation, ranging from Lakers jerseys to lavender floral dresses.
Manasvi Govindu, 11, said she hopes the school honors Bridges’ legacy every year. Tuesday marked the first time Stonegate participated in the event.
“Ruby Bridges is a really great person, and she was brave enough to walk even when people opposed her,” Govindu said. “She made a difference even though she was…
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