Cassidy, Lamberton Middle School

Juneteenth Essay
Cassidy, Lamberton Middle School

When Elias Parker and 13 other African-American families moved to Mt. Holly Springs, Pennsylvania, they had little to no contact with their white neighbors. Although they created their own community, they should have been welcomed much better. Yet, this was the late 1800s when segregation was still very much alive. Now, it is very important that people in Mt. Holly Springs and Carlisle are very welcoming to new families in the area, no matter the race. Personally, I helped to welcome the Hudson family to Carlisle.

I welcomed the Hudson family to Carlisle when they came here through the United States Army War College in 2019. On the first day of school, I realized that I had multiple classes with Carrigan Hudson, and we quickly became friends. I wanted to make her feel welcome here, even if she was only staying for one year. As we became closer Carrigan and I played soccer together, and we even exchanged gifts on holidays and at birthdays. Through these actions, I made Carrigan Hudson feel welcome in Carlisle.

My welcoming actions toward Carrigan Hudson were very rewarding for both me and Carrigan. Carrigan was rewarded by feeling welcomed to and accepted in Carlisle. Starting the year at a new school in a new town and state is very scary, and I hope that I made this time easier for her. I was also rewarded by my welcoming actions, because it felt good being able to help someone and make a new friend. I am very glad that I made Carrigan feel welcome in Carlisle, and I think it’s very important for everyone to make an effort to welcome families to Carlisle better than Elias Parker and those 13 families were welcomed.