Inaugural Class of 2020 - 4100 Vacation Lane Arlington, VA 22207 Ellen Smith, Principal Lisa Moore, 8th Grade Asst. Principal - Dorothy Hamm ...

Inaugural
Class of

                                        Artwork by: Dylan Reedy
2020
4100 Vacation Lane
Arlington, VA 22207
Ellen Smith, Principal
Lisa Moore, 8th Grade Asst. Principal

Why Was I Born?
                  To lift another’s burden          My life always an example
                  To share another’s pain,          Of what I wanted it to be,
                  To live a life of heartache       I tried but sometimes failed
                  To assist my fellowman            To show Christ living in me.

                  To help when help was needed      Still I hope the good I did
                  To bear another’s load,           And the help I tried to give,
                  But I wonder was it worth it      Will be remembered by someone
                  As I near the end of the road.    If so, I was born to live.

                  My deeds were deeds of kindness
                  My motives always good,           Written by Dorothy M. Bigelow Hamm
                  My words always of honesty        (date unknown, circa 1990’s)
                  Though often misunderstood.

"Don't be afraid of the heights of your greatness. May your life be
    Cintia Johnson,
Interim Superintendent
                         full of experiences that propel you to do what you should, what you
                                 will and what you can to accomplish your big dreams.”

"You have the skills and the ability to continue the work of Dorothy
                         Hamm - making the world a better place. Wherever life takes you,
Ellen Smith, Principal   remember you have a place here at Dorothy Hamm Middle School. As the
                         first graduating class, you are in the school's DNA."

Where I am From
     A collaborative poem by DHMS 8th grade class of 2019-2020, modeled after George Ella Lyon's poem by the same name.

I’m from friends, like brothers and sisters, from the old worn house on the corner.

I am from “Do your best” and “Work hard,” from comfy clothes, tied back hair, and simple shoes.

I’m from the hillside garden beside my house, from sunflowers, corn fields and the burning bushland.

I am from the sweet smell of pine, from the fire pit in the backyard-- warm, serene, and crackling.

I am from a family of five, from asking for grace and forgiveness and from tender loving care.

I’m from hiking deep, deep into the mountains and from snowy Christmases and hot summers.

I am from my dog and from sleepovers and block parties, from friendships that give me love.

I am from the ancient, medieval house from dim lighting to intricate artwork, a world beyond imagination.
I’m from rising above the tides and from surfing the oceans waves, from the midnight bonfires and stories told on the beach.
I am from the track, a star who loves to run. And from the goals scored on a soccer field.
I’m from long nights, headache medicine, and heating pads.
I’m from anything with chocolate and Los Tíos Mexican Grill
I am from the Bahamas from the large rocks on the beach my family would climb every summer to waves crashing onto the sand.
I am from this broken world where flowers still bloom every spring.
I am from the green line on the Metro from hugs and kisses to arguments and shouting matches.

I am from technology, from video games to computers, and from Star Wars movies watched a thousand times.
I am from scattered opinions and cracking knuckles, from neat freaks and know-it-alls.
I am from Fridays with the boys, Saturdays with the team and Sundays with the family.
I am from fire, an inviting warmth that burns anyone who gets too close.
I am from temporary friends, temporary homes, and American diplomacy
I am from the place where the gauchos ride.
I am from the squeak of jelly shoes and from Christmas lights on palm trees.
I am from the glowing North Star in my room, from Stephen King and Stephen Hawking.
I am from a family unbound by religion with no guidance except for themselves.
I am from kindness and a hard work ethic.

I am from the scrapes on my knees, the ones that made
me stronger, to know what pain is and what it is not.
I am the picture of my mom when she was young.
I’m from leaving behind ...and moving on. I am from not
forgetting.
I am from memories some bring smiles, some bring tears,
some are shared, some stay tucked away, some remind
me that most of all I am from love.

Dorothy Hamm
Arlington Activist
Ms. Hamm, a resident of the Hall’s Hill neighborhood, was
  a participant (for her son) in the 1956 lawsuit to end
  segregation in Arlington Public Schools. After the four
students were admitted to Stratford Jr. High in February
of 1959, Ms. Hamm continued to be an activist for racial
     equality across the county, challenging the pupil
 placement act and enduring arrest while protesting the
   white-only admittance policy of Arlington theaters.

Thank you!
DHMS Teachers, Faculty & Staff would like to extend a sincere Thank You and Well Wishes to the
Class of 2020. It has been a pleasure to teach you and watch you grow. We wish you nothing but
success for you in the future years to come!
A sincere Thank You also to the administrators, teachers, school staff and community members for
your dedication and support.
A special Thank You to the DHMS Wind Ensemble: Adam Gibson, Kelly Hansen, Charlie Jackett, Jada
Lupher, Eli Martin, Noah Robimson, Nathan Skeete, Ophelia Tulchinsky, Gary Unruh, Emma Wilson.
Rousing Thanks to the DHMS PTSA for all their work to support students & staff this year.
Thank You to the School Board & our liaison, Nancy Van Doren.