A lesson was taught at Poplar Bluff Junior High School last week about how young people too can make a lasting impact on the world.

Local students joined hundreds of thousands across the nation who took part in the Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day on Friday, Nov. 14, marking 65 years since the six-year-old took her historic steps to William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans.

“Ruby’s story shows that even young people can make a powerful impact,” explained organizer Shelby Jefferson, seventh grade social studies teacher. “I really wanted to stress to them as students their voices matter, their actions matter, and that they each have the power to make a difference in our community by choosing kindness, inclusion and courage every day.”

Jefferson planned the event for the first time for her multicultural world elective, and was joined by school ambassador students under the tutelage of Pam Davis, instructional coach. Principal Candace Warren additionally accompanied the group on the walk alongside building secretary LaRonda Mack.

As the students made their way to their destination of River Radio while holding signs for passersby, they were met by RT McCain, former teacher turned business owner. McCain, accompanied by his soon-to-be six-year-old daughter Amiah, shared his experience about leaving his most recent position at the Juvenile Office earlier this year to take a major chance and open a restaurant in the historic downtown: The Kitchen BBQ & Soul.

“A lot of times, you gotta blaze a trail that’s different than many are going,” McCain said. “Ruby Bridges had no idea the weight of her journey, yet she walked in faith and courage. I always try to keep that in the back of my mind, because you don’t always know where the end of the road may lead.”

For registering to participate in the walk, Jefferson received a letter from Bridges, now a 71-year-old philanthropist, who explained how she did not realize she would become an activist at such an early age. Her parents only informed her that she would be starting at a new school, and “better behave.”

“Looking back, I am grateful that I didn’t know what it was all about,” Bridges wrote. “I often say it was because of my innocence that I was able to learn the lesson that has shaped my life. That lesson is simple: kindness comes from someone’s heart no matter what they look like.”

Escorted by U.S. deputy marshals in 1960, Bridges became the first student to integrate the previously all-white elementary school. Although Brown v. Board of Education was decided in 1954, Louisiana was among the southern states that resisted the federal mandate requiring schools to desegregate within six years. Because of the defiance, Bridges would attend first grade alone under the sole remaining teacher's instruction, as other parents withdrew their students from class.

Multicultural world students watched a movie about the young trailblazer, who would later become the subject of a famous Norman Rockwell painting, as the class was learning about the Civil Rights movement leading up to the school activity, according to Jefferson.

“She changed the world so other black kids can go to the white school,” eighth grader Tahlyn Dudley said following the walk.

“She acted like their words didn’t matter,” classmate Mileigh Kempfer added, reflecting on Bridges going to school that first day through a hostile crowd. “She was just a baby.”

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Cutline: Poplar Bluff Junior High students gather to walk to River Radio in honor of Civil Rights leader Ruby Bridges.