Principal Stephanie Stovall and David Parks show a picture of his father, Gordon Parks, which he donated to the school during the dedcation ceremony.

District celebrates grand opening of Gordon Parks Academy   

The Wichita Public Schools celebrated the opening of its newest school, Gordon Parks Academy, with a dedication ceremony on October 6. The event celebrated the life and legacy of Kansas native, Gordon Parks, and how his life and perseverance helped shape the vision of the school.

Gordon Parks’ daughter and son, Toni Parks-Parson and David Parks, and his grandson Alain Brouillaud were part of the celebration and other family members were in attendance. Early in the ceremony, an emotional David Parks gave principal Stephanie Stovall a picture of his father on horseback. The school’s mascot is the Trailblazers, because of Parks’ love of horses and because he was a trailblazer himself in many aspects of his life.    

“This is overwhelming. I wish my father were here to see this,” said Parks.

Gordon Parks Academy students perform during the celebration.

“I look at these children and I see the future. I see my father’s dreams of knowledge and understanding coming true.”  

“Learn everything you can and share your knowledge with others,” Brouillaud told the students. “Be prepared for your life. My grandfather’s skills took him everywhere – from the Arctic Circle to South America. You need to be ready to go where your talents take you.”

Superintendent Martin Libhart, Board of Education members Lynn Rogers and Barb Fuller and Wichita Mayor Carl Brewer talked about the importance of the school in the community, its vision to become an International Baccalaureate school and how Gordon Parks’ life is a testament to the human spirit.

Other notable guests who were in attendance were Kurk Baker, who was the assistant director of the 1971 movie “Shaft,” which was directed by Gordon Parks; Dan Glickman, former Wichita Board of Education member and Congressman and current President of the Motion Picture Association of America; Dr. Don Beggs, Wichita State University President; Ted Ayers, Vice President and General Counsel for Wichita State and who helped bring Parks’ collection of works to WSU; and Russ Meyer, Chairman Emeritus of Cessna Aircraft.

Gordon Parks Academy students sang and danced during the ceremony. Eighth-grade student Dominique Bruno read a speech she has written titled “A Greater Sense of Self.”

“We will have a life full of success beyond anyone’s dreams,” Bruno said. “We are blessed with legacy of Gordon Parks to guide us with his principles.”

In back, Russ Meyer, Chairman Emeritus of Cessna Aircraft, and art teacher Jacquelyn Jenkins, stand with the students who designed the mural in the school's entryway.

At the end of the ceremony, a special recognition was given to Russ Meyer, Chairman Emeritus of Cessna Aircraft. Meyer spearheaded the campaign to build the Boys and Girls Club and was one of the first to suggest building a school next to it. In 2006, Meyer was given the Kansas Health Foundation Leadership Award from the Kansas Health Foundation, which bestowed a $25,000 grant. Meyer donated the money to Gordon Parks Academy for teachers to buy classroom supplies. Some of the money is being used for a student-created mural in the school’s entryway. The students are working with Arts Partners to create the mural which is dedicated to the life of Gordon Parks.

After the dedication, student ambassadors gave guests tours of the building so visitors could see the facility. Alain Brouillaud was very excited to see the building and introduced himself to students he met in the hall.

Alain Brouillaud, grandson of Gordon Parks, talks with students while touring the building.

Brouillaud, who lives in Finland, told the school he wants to keep in touch with the students and will gladly share stories of his grandfather via webcasting.

“This is a great school and the students will do wonderful things in the future,” he said.

Gordon Parks was an internationally known photographer, painter, movie director, composer and musician born in Fort Scott, Kansas. Parks was the first African-American to work as a staff photographer for Life magazine and was the first African-American to write, produce and direct a major Hollywood film, “The Learning Tree,” in 1969. The movie was based on his first novel.



October 8, 2008