Students exchanged and spoke out at the recent THE SPARK of Le Flambeau field trip with Le Flambeau Foundation , University of Miami, and Miami Edison Sr. High School; featuring internationally acclaimed Haitian-American author Edwidge Danticat. The event was held at the Little Haiti Cultural Center, in Miami, on October 23rd, 2012.
Students poured out of school buses having come from distant sections of town and forming a collage of different backgrounds, languages, cultures, ages, and perspectives. They came together with many of them meeting for the first time. They knew each other from the on-line written class discussions but most had yet to meet live. Students wore their name tags and partnered up for a productive exchange of language and culture throughout the morning.
Mentor / mentee relationships were formed and they proceeded with a tour of the surrounding Little Haiti community, a
viewing of famous painter Edouard Duval Carrié’s studio, and a special book reading by and dialogue with internationally acclaimed Haitian-American author Ms. Edwidge Danticat. Highlighted was Ms. Danticat’s most recent book “Creating Dangerously” from which came her reading of the chapter “Speak Out”. Included was discussion of one of Ms. Danticat’s earlier books “Breath, Eyes, Memory” – which is on the list of proposed readings for Miami high schools and previously featured as an Oprah Book Club selection.
On Tuesday October 23rd, Ms. Edwidge Danticat officially became an Honorary Member of THE SPARK of Le Flambeau.
THE SPARK of Le Flambeau, now headed into its fifth year; is a college preparatory program fostering educational exchange between students from Haiti and students from the U.S., with a focus on English learning, culture and technology. The program integrates on-line exchange with live on-site engagement – all student led. A program founded by Le Flambeau Foundation four years ago, THE SPARK of Le Flambeau’s fall 2012 semester curriculum is the result of a collaborative between Le Flambeau Foundation and the University of Miami. The University of Miami made it possible for author Edwidge Danticat to join us for this field trip – we are most grateful.
Our warm appreciation is extended to the Little Haiti Cultural Center for working so closely with the Foundation for the second year and for its on-going support. We also thank Miami Edison Sr. High School for also working with the Foundation and for the impressive student participation demonstrated during the field trip.
Our recent experiences as members of THE SPARK of Le Flambeau on October 23rd, 2012, will long be remembered as a series of special moments during which we each faced certain truths that changed the path ahead for many. Students spoke out for themselves and their actions delivered powerful statements destined to impact those around them, and behind them. It is in sharing this experience that we uncovered the spark in many of us. As our torch was lit we reached over and lit a few others. This is why we are here. This is what it’s all about. 
The torch is lit. Keep passing it on.