As a student, the greatest lesson my teachers taught me was to dig deeper into a subject. After hearing about the Anne Arundel County School Board’s recent decision to change the name of my middle school, George Fox Middle, that is exactly what I did.
After learning about Mr. Fox and his views, I fully supported the school system’s decision. But, in my research, a name kept coming up: Sarah V. Jones. Who was Sarah V. Jones?
Sarah V. Jones was an African American woman who, from 1926 to 1964, served as supervisor of Colored Schools for Anne Arundel County Public Schools. Before we go any further, let’s just put all this into perspective:
She was a Black woman.
Overt racism and sexism was the status quo.
Women had just gotten the right to vote in 1920.
For her to be in charge of the 40-plus schools for Black children back then was an extraordinary and monumental achievement. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. There’s a saying that goes, “to whom much is given, much is required.” Jones embodied that ideal.
The Our Legacy Tours website states, “Sarah V. Jones was known for her commitment to excellence and raising the Black children in Anne Arundel County by providing highly trained teachers. When the Wiley H. Bates Colored High School opened in 1932, there was no…[teacher] without a Bachelor’s and a Master’s Degree. The only colored High School in Anne Arundel County was home to the most highly trained educators in the County, Black or white.”
It then goes on to say, “During her tenure colored and white students were graduating from High School and entering college at the same pace.”
Back when “separate but equal” was anything but equal, Jones still went above and beyond to ensure that Black students were getting the same quality of education as white students were, even at the time. With all the discussion this year surrounding the opportunity gap and learning loss, Jones’ story serves as a relevant reminder that those gaps can be filled.
Many of the Black students that are in county schools now had great-grandparents and/or grandparents who had those gaps filled in the past because of Jones’ policies.
Everyone in the county must know the story of Jones and how she devoted her professional career to the students, despite the unimaginable odds. Why is her story relegated to the memories of those that knew her?
The Anne Arundel County Board of Education now has a rare opportunity to change that; to finally give Sarah V. Jones the recognition that she deserves. If anyone deserves a school named after them, it is Sarah V. Jones.
While the board and the Northeast cluster could rename George Fox Middle to Northeast or Green Haven middle school, the history, the recognition, and the show of dedication to advancing students of color in Anne Arundel County is a necessity in this decision.
As a mixed Black student who has spent the last 12 years in county schools, I know the impact this will have on other students as a whole, not just those like me. The pride and hope that students will get from walking into a school named after someone who laid the foundation for their education is an opportunity second to none, and it is an opportunity that the Board and this community now have a chance to make a reality.
Whether you’re a student in the Northeast High cluster like me, a student in county schools, a parent whose child this decision will impact, or just a resident of the county, this decision impacts you as a symbol of our local history.
That is why I urge the Board of Education and every resident in the Northeast cluster to consider renaming George Fox Middle School to Sarah V. Jones Middle School.
Amaya Madarang is a senior at Northeast High School. She lives in Pasadena.
