PRESS RELEASE FROM THE OFFICE OF DR. STEVE GALLON III
April 14, 2022
School Board Vice-Chair and District 1 School Board Member Dr. Steve Gallon III recognized the award-winning Viking Freedom Writers of Miami Norland Senior High School who have inspired countless young people to choose creative writing and spoken word to express their feelings. Several students were featured along with other students from around the world in a new book entitled Dear Freedom Writer: Stories of Hardship and Hope from the Next Generation. The Viking Freedom Writers were joined by their Principal David Ladd and their teacher Dr. Precious Symonette.
Dr. Gallon honored them with a proclamation and shared their stories of trials and triumphs. The students also gifted each of the Board members with a book.
“Dr. Symonette and the Freedom Writers, through their words and their work, carry the spirit and torch of those Freedom Riders who resisted laws, policies, and acts of injustice, inequality, and oppression during the Civil Rights movement and before,” Dr. Gallon said. “They reflect the voices of a new generation of creators, leaders, speakers, and thinkers—voices that in this book allows us to read, experience, and share their passion, purpose, and power for positive change.”
CONTACT: Pavi’Elle Phillips
305-995-1334
district1@dadeschools.net
