Paying Tribute to Nelson Mandela

Long Beach Middle School eighth-graders collaborated with first-graders from Long Beach’s Lindell School to create a pair of quilts honoring the memory of Nelson Mandela. Every student made a square using symbols taken from African textile designs. Each symbol represented a different trait for which Mr. Mandela was known, such as wisdom, unity, creativity, understanding, peace, charisma, patience and cooperation. The first- and eighth-graders joined forces at an assembly at the middle school on March 17 to dedicate the two quilts, which will be proudly displayed at the two schools. Students completed the project under the guidance of art teacher Laura Swan.

The assembly fittingly featured the Okra Dance Company, which presented a program that traced African-influenced dance traditions from Africa to Broadway.