November 1, 2023 630 PM
Marfa –– A block party for the Blackwell School took place on October 21 to commemorate its designation as a National Historic Site. Participants enjoyed food from the community as well as live music performed by Primo y Beebe.
Students from Marfa ISD were asked to contribute creative works by Blackwell Community Coordinator Martha Stafford. She approached Ms. Powers’ art class to make a logo reminiscent of National Park logos.
MHS students in Coach Ojeda’s English III and IV classes were asked to take part in a creative writing competition. They could either write a poem, an essay, or interview a friend or family member about their experiences with the school that served Marfa’s Mexican American community.
Asael Zubia, a freshman, won the logo competition with an image depicting the historic school building and the Mustang, Blackwell’s mascot. Esdras Flores, a senior, won the creative writing competition with a rhyming poem called “Divided Colors.”
Martha Stafford said, “We were thrilled with the work the students turned in to help us celebrate our first anniversary. Voting for the winners in each category was really difficult because all of the work was so well done. The Blackwell alumni who attended the event were especially touched by the students’ understanding of the historical significance of Blackwell School and their empathy for the students who attended it.”
