Sayville Middle School students are honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a building-wide quilt project designed to promote reflection, character development and the importance of Black History Month.
As part of the school’s January extended advisory program, every student created a quilt square inspired by one of seven selected quotes from Dr. King. The activity encouraged students not only to explore the meaning of the civil rights leader’s words, but also to connect them to Sayville Middle School’s PATH traits: Persistence, Accountability, Teamwork and Honesty.
PATH serves as the school’s core framework for character education and is integrated into daily routines and classroom instruction. Educators say the quilt project provided an opportunity to weave those principles together with lessons about justice, equality and civic responsibility.
“This project gave students the opportunity to reflect not only on Dr. King’s words, but on the broader significance of Black History Month,” said Joseph Hutter, advisory committee teacher and school counselor. “By connecting those messages to our PATH traits, students engaged in meaningful discussions about character, justice, and the responsibility we all share to learn from history and apply those lessons in our daily lives.”
The quotes featured in the project included, “The time is always right to do what is right,” and “Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that,” among others focused on perseverance, forgiveness and courage.
The completed quilt panels now hang prominently from the upper level of the school’s Commons area and will remain on display through the end of February.
Principal Dr. Joseph Castoro said the installation serves as a visible reminder of the values the school hopes to instill.
“This quilt stands as a powerful reminder of empathy, courage, and standing up for what is right,” he said.