Commission on Human Rights
Bardstown High School to unveil its Youth Human Rights Council "Power of Words" Mural tomorrow

Bardstown, KY – The Bardstown High School Youth Council on Human Rights will hold a special presentation for the school’s student body on Thursday, Sept. 13, at 1 p.m. (EST). At the event, the council will unveil a human rights “word mural” called “The Power of Words.”  The high school is located at 400 N 5th Street Bardstown, Ky., 4004. Contact the school for more information at 502.331.8802.

Victoria Yocum, Karis Rogers, and Odessey Weathers, student representatives of the school’s Human Rights Youth Council, will present the painting, which depicts students’ thoughts and interests about human rights. These were provided by students last year in a survey conducted by the council. One of the mural’s components includes word-labels and expressions that perpetuate forms of discrimination among people, officials said.

“This project was established to better understand our culture and recognize differences as strengths in our school,” said Bardstown High School Principal Chris Pickett. “It was a very rewarding experience,” he said.

The council, which was formed by the school last year with the help of the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights, is designed to help students promote equality and unity among peers and faculty. Kentucky Commission on Human Rights Youth Councils on Human Rights representative Glenda Green will be one of the speakers at the event tomorrow.

Bardstown High School Principal Pickett said: “I believe that it is of utmost importance that we teach students about their rights and encourage them to learn about our diverse population and embrace and respect one another's likenesses and differences. Through this opportunity, we shall help to facilitate this effort among our Bardstown High School student and staff population.  I feel confident that our Youth Council, and our student body, will embrace and encourage the charge of bridging the gap of diversity awareness and human rights within our school and community.”

“We hope other Kentucky schools will ask the commission to help them form their own Youth Councils on Human Rights,” said John J. Johnson, executive director of the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights. “The youth councils provide an educational program in which students are able to seek solutions for civil and human rights concerns that are often encountered by today’s youth, he said.

Contact the commission at 1.800.292.5566 to ask for assistance in forming a Youth Human Rights Council at any local school.

The Kentucky Commission on Human Rights is the state government authority that enforces the laws that make discrimination illegal, including the Kentucky and U.S. Civil Rights acts. Call the number above for help with discrimination.

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