John Merrill announces ‘civic engagement and environmental conservation’ events

Robert C. Hatch High School (RHHS) and Francis Marion High School (FMHS), two schools in Alabama’s Black Belt region, will be taking part in the annual Teach for America/Americorps Week with events aimed at “civic engagement and environmental conservation.”

According to a press release from the office of Secretary of State John Merrill, “Teach For America-Alabama has become an important partner in the local effort to ensure that every child has access to an excellent and equitable education.” The organization recruits college graduates to teach in rural and urban schools for at least two years to ensure that “all children have an equal chance in life.”

Merrill will be the guest speaker in two classrooms at an event March 9 at FMHS and will discuss his role as Secretary of State, lessons learned from his own educational and professional career and the importance of voting and community service.

That same day, Black Warrior Riverkeeper Nelson Brooke will address students at RHHS to discuss water pollution and conservation efforts aimed at the Black Warrior River in Perry County. The Riverkeepers are a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting the river, which is entirely contained in Alabama.