91̽��

Even during powerful waves of self-doubt, Soerny Cruz ’12 found people in her corner. They were educators and social justice leaders who encouraged her toward a career in service.

“There were times when I didn’t believe in myself, but my community never gave up on me,” Ms. Cruz told students. “Because of that, I’ve been able to get to a place in my life where I can come back to 91̽�� and be proud of what I’m telling you about my work.”

All three of the robots designed by 91̽��’s robotics team have qualified for national and state tournaments, with resounding wins at a Bristol Community College tournament. 91̽�� robotics won the tournament overall and received four out of five awards.

The robotics team made it to at least the semifinals of every tournament they participated in this fall, a testament to their teamwork and collaborative spirit. Students are split into three teams, each competing with its own robot.

“What is the reach of who ‘we the people’ are in the United States Constitution?” Civil rights leader Robert P. Moses asked 91̽�� students. “What does it mean to be among ‘we the people?’ What does it mean to be a citizen of this country?”

The meaning of that phrase in the constitution’s preamble has shifted over the years, beginning with white, male property owners at the founding of the U.S., eventually expanding to include women and minorities, and constricting with immigration restrictions, Dr. Moses said.

Sharing visceral works filled with loss, longing, fear and love, Bingham Visiting Writer Tina Chang read her poetry to students and explained how she uses writing to grapple with existential questions about society and motherhood.

The award-winning poet and teacher read a poem from Hybrida, her forthcoming book, that weaves the voice of her son from the womb with news reports about the shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, and with observations about the idea of police protection being conflated with hunting prey.

“Are justice and victory the same laurels?” the poem asks. “For all that we say about death and its peace and its privacy, it’s better to live.”