On Oct. 27, fifteen Bishop O'Connell students attended the Anti-Defamation League’s annual Concert Against Hate at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. This powerful and inspirational event honors heroes in the fight against intolerance, extremism and terrorism. Stories are told about individuals who have performed extraordinary acts of valor and courage when confronted with bigotry, hate and other discriminatory acts.
This year's event honored Olympic gold medalist William Mervin ("Billy") Mills, who has devoted his life to giving back to the Native American people; Jacqueline Murckatete a survivor of the Rwandan Genocide and a human rights activist; and Reat Griffin Underwood, Dr. William L. Corporon, and Teresa Lamanno, who were killed by a white supremacist at the Jewish Center and Retirement Home in Kansas.
The concert was hosted this year by Leslie Uggams and Isiah Whitlock Jr. The National Symphony Orchestra, along with the Washington Performing Arts' Children of the Gospel Choir and the ADL Choir, performed selections from Tchaikovsky, Debussy, John Williams, Pete Seeger, and others.
Dr. Daniel Stabile, Mrs. Monica Stabile and Mr. Andrew Edmondson organized and chaperoned the event. This is the seventh consecutive year that O'Connell students have attended this event.