Grier Senior Simone Thomas Wins Regional Princeton Prize in Race Relations

In her sophomore year, in the midst of the Black Lives Matter movement, she wanted to improve cultural awareness and race relations here at Grier. With the help of a group of like-minded peers and teacher advisors Mr. and Mrs. Salyards, Simone started Beyond the Bubble, which grew into one of Grier's most active clubs.

Bubble Talks planned and presented by club members taught both faculty and staff about racial issues in the United States and around the world and focused on advocacy and allyship. Though the pandemic necessarily slowed the clubs' events, their efforts continued through Zoom talks and invitations to online diversity and advocacy training programs. 

In their letter, the PAAWP praised Simone, saying, "We all agreed that the excellent work you have done in creating and leading the Bubble Talks at the Grier School is exemplary.  Creating a forum for people of different races and backgrounds to learn to understand each other is a critical step toward improving racial equity and making this a better world." We at Grier couldn't agree more!

Simone will receive a $1000 cash prize, an invitation to participate in a virtual symposium on race with the other regional winners, and will be honored at a special ceremony where she will receive her Certificate of Accomplishment and be invited to speak about her work. 

Congratulations, Simone!