What began as a non-fiction writing assignment turns out to be a united effort for the ongoing Darfur tragedy.

Mrs. Roman’s Inquiry Skills freshmen classes began by reading and analyzing an article from the New York Times by a frequent and well-known writer, Nicolas Kristof. Kristof is a political scientist, author, and a Pulitzer Prize winning journalist.

“They began researching on their own,” Mrs. Roman, Inquiry teacher, said.

One student, Christina Palmer, from the third period Inquiry course, had researched and seen an interview with Nicolas Kristof on the internet prior to reading the article. When she spoke out in class to say she had seen this interview, Mrs. Roman was pleased. But more than this, it was the beginning of the soon to be semester endeavor.

Students began asking how they could help better the situation going on across seas.

“The topic sparked such interest and motivated the students to learn about Darfur and take action to help aid victims,” Roman said.

With all the inspiration floating in the air, assignments began arising. A research paper (in true inquiry fashion) was the first, and then poster boards were thoughtfully designed. Large, three-sided, science fair type boards decorated with colorful borders and stacked with information on the topic are piled in Mrs. Roman’s room waiting for an audience.

Research on how to create a petition was done, and petitions were drafted. In a group effort, a final petition was created, and the classes have every intention of getting all the signatures necessary. Petitions will be sent to Senator Bill Nelson, our Florida Senator, and the U.S. Representative for Florida, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen.