FARGO - The city's newest school is finally getting its coming-out party with a series of events.
On Tuesday, Judge Ronald N. Davies High School with be the focus of the first of several events honoring its namesake, the Fargo judge whose 1957 rulings helped end racial segregation in Little Rock, Ark., schools and furthered integration in education throughout the nation.
The celebration culminates on Sunday with a dedication, including speeches by U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Stephen Breyer and Carlotta Walls LaNier, a member of the Little Rock Nine - the group of young black students who braved mobs to attend Central High School.
The week's events:
6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, unveiling a 30-foot mural by artist Karen Bakke depicting scenes symbolic of Davies' life; in the commons of the school at 7150 25th St. S. There will also be a ribbon cutting, open house, building tours and a presentation on the construction process by photographer Jack Discher.
- 1 p.m. Friday in the school's theater, a symposium on "The Legal Decisions of Judge Davies," hosted by Serkland Law Firm; open to the public.
- Noon Saturday at the Bluestem Center for the Arts, 801 50th Ave. SW, Moorhead, a Rocking Chair Symposium featuring LaNier and Dr. Terrence Roberts, two members of the Little Rock Nine. It will be moderated by historian and retired social sciences teacher Carl Oberholtzer.
2 p.m. Sunday, dedication ceremony at Davies High School. Beyond Breyer and LaNier, other featured speakers include U.S. Court of Appeals judges Myron Bright of Fargo, 8th Circuit, and Mary Schroeder, 9th Circuit.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Helmut Schmidt at (701) 241-5583
