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
(RFL); 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 organizations
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
days 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.
Send feedback to: bygeorge@gwu.edu