Soldan International Studies High School - Thank you

We live in a time where the quality of education is widely defined by the place you lay your head at night. It was not always like this. I am a product of public schools. I spent all four years of my high school years at one of the best public high schools in St. Louis. I remember so much about Soldan —the festival of nations that we had where we all were exposed to so many different cultures, The School assemblies where so many of our talented students were able to express themselves through dance or their talents, our cafeteria — which really felt like New York Mecca — because of the cultures and laughter and hip hop and love and of course the chocolate chip cookies with the frutopia! But I always wondered why as I became an adult why I loved to travel and love cultures and developed a deep appreciation for mines — well it was my time at Soldan. And no school is perfect, there were still bullies and people comparing themselves to each other or to pop culture — but in the fabric of Soldan — was this idea. The idea that students lead change. At Soldan, I was in a program that I believe was entitled, “International Trade Diplomacy” — essentially it was a school within a school — it was a cohort of students that shared all the same classes together! And it wasn’t a gifted program — but in the program we had so many talented and gifted people in some of the most eccentric or eclectic types of ways and also in the more traditional way as well. I believe if a school is going to group together students — that is the way to do it — because I was a B+ Average — ok fine C+, but I got to spend every first 4 periods of everyday with our Valedictorian and with like 5 other people in that class that I still define as geniuses today. And best believe even though I may not have been actively watching and taking notes on how they listened and paid attention in class and their work ethic — subconsciously, I was locked in and stored it all as kinetic energy for later! So thank you ITD! But I also loved that we did have a few classes outside of that program which allowed us to connect to the larger eco system of Soldan and we all either played sports or were in some type of after school program and some are still best friends till this day — that is just so powerful to me. I graduated from Soldan in 2005 and I reflect on my time at Soldan today because we just celebrated our 20 year reunion this past weekend and it was just amazing to listen to stories and see the amazing people that we all have become and becoming and the amazing stories we get to tell our children and the values that we have kept intact from our years at Soldan echos throughout everywhere any of us may happen to go or explore. But also since I am a life long educator —  I am a complete advocate for public school! I know that it works and I have proof that it works from my classmates that I had the pleasure to spend this weekend with —

This is just my story and just a snippet of mines from Soldan — we all have great stories in our wonderful class “05” — but the great thing about our life stories — they are never done — so continue writing your Story class of “05” — you’re not done!

So Thank You Soldan ISHS 

And thank you class of “05”

It’s in our Blood! 

Dr. William Givens 

PROUD Saint Louis Public School Graduate