The Middle School students gathered in Lawrence Commons rise to their feet in unison and begin to follow the instructions of their guest teacher, Elizabeth Acevedo, the New York Times bestselling author of “The Poet X” and “With the Fire on High.” 

“Plant your feet proudly,” she directs them. 

“Pull your shoulders back–that lets the audience know you are confident. 

“You make sure you are heard.” 

And with that, Elizabeth calls up the first volunteer poet. 

Jordan Marie Finley ’19 was just settling into her new life as a freshman at UC Santa Barbara last summer when she received word: a script she had written while at Parker had been selected in a prestigious statewide contest. 

Jordan’s script, “Feliz Cumpleaños,” was one of four winners in the 2019 California Young Playwrights Contest and would receive a full professional production at the Playwrights Project 35th annual Plays by Young Writers festival. 

Local Holocaust survivor Rose Schindler has spent nearly half her life publicly recounting the horrors she endured while inside a Nazi concentration camp during World War II. On Wednesday, Rose was presented an award honoring her for the educational cause she has championed for 48 years. 

Rose received the San Diego County District Attorney’s inaugural “Community Justice Champion Award” prior to her speaking engagement at Francis Parker School. The award was presented in honor of Rose’s “extraordinary service and dedication to promoting just and safe communities.”