In collaboration with a local business, Principal Martin Woods has launched a T-shirt design competition as a part of his Beloved Community initiative, where he is inviting students to celebrate what makes U-High and Hyde Park beloved.

Until May 20, students can follow a provided prompt or submit their own original T-shirt design. 

 Mr. Woods introduced the idea of a Beloved Community at a January assembly, where he emphasized unsung heroes and community building. The phrase was first used by Martin Luther King Jr.  

The T-shirts are a component of a partnership with The Silver Room, a 53rd Street store, art gallery and community hub, which is meant to further Lab’s involvement in the neighborhood. The winning design will be featured and sold at the Silver Room.

Mr. Woods hopes this project expands beyond increasing a sense of community, and helps U-High students express their creativity and appreciation for the Lab community.

“Embedded in this project is a couple of different things. You have creativity, you have a moment of reflection to create some gratitude about the things that we take for granted on a daily basis,” Mr. Woods said.

Additionally, Mr. Woods hopes that this project will allow participants to take the time to slow down and reflect on what it means to be a student, taking the time to recognize the highlights of being at Lab.

“I hope students, as they engage in the project, they’ll begin to think about really what makes this community special,” Mr. Woods said. “Sometimes when we’re rushing through high school, I’ve always told students to really cherish this time because you can’t go back.”