Oct. 1, 2002

Freedom Quilt Salutes Civic Participation

Sophomores Shine at the Washington Monument

Under the shadow of the Washington Monument, sophomores Taryn Schaberg and Ari Mittleman helped launch the week-long Freedom Fair in Washington, with the unveiling of the Freedom Quilt, a patchwork of 350 three-foot square fabric panels decorated by groups from throughout the University community that created an enormous American flag. Among those in attendance for the unveiling were Rep. Cliff Stearns (R–FL); President Trachtenberg; Penny Pagano, chief of staff to DC Councilwoman Kathy Patterson; Eric Welch, media director for the Participate America Foundation; and World Wrestling Entertainment superstar Maven, who was on hand to promote the wrestling organization’s “Smack Down The Vote” program to register voters.

For their efforts, Schaberg and Mittleman were honored by the city with a resolution declaring Sept. 12, 2002, as “GW Freedom Quilt Day.”

“Everything turned out even better than we anticipated,” said Schaberg. “Participate America really helped pull together the day’s event.”

“This University is more than an educational institution,” said Pagano. “Taryn and Ari and the participants of the Freedom Quilt are the best examples of what The George Washington University has to offer.”

Schaberg and Mittleman came up with the idea for the Freedom Quilt on the Mall as a way to remind Americans of the principles on which the country was founded and the importance of civic duty and participation in a democratic society.

“There are so many youths out there that do so much,” Schaberg said. “Their efforts go unrecognized and are under-appreciated. We thought a day that was dedicated to the unity that US citizens, particularly the students, exemplify every day would be powerful. That is why our slogan is ‘exemplify how we unify.’ ”

In stressing the importance of civic participation, Welch quoted Declaration of Independence signer Benjamin Rush, “‘The service you do today links you to the service done by those who came before, and which may have cost them their lives.’”

 

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