Students, faculty, parents, and visitors might have noticed brighter colors fluttering from the flagpole outside the Upper School in the past few weeks. Each morning, one individual might raise it, but many people on campus collaborated to ensure that our new American flag holds special significance to our community. This unique project started with Jane Snukis, a member of our business office staff and the parent of an RPS alumna. Ms. Snukis contacted faculty member and Model Congress coach Stacy McMillen, who asked her team to write Representative Frank Pallone, the member of the House from our district, and request that an American flag be flown over Congress during the weekend of November 20th, when the RPS Model Congress team would be competing in Washington D.C.
Jeffrey Schwartz, Zain Haq, and Adam Taylor, all leaders for the team, wrote the letter and made the request. Ms. McMillen sent the letter along with payment for the flag, funded through our maintenance department. A few weeks after the competition, Representative Pallone sent Rutgers Prep a carefully wrapped package. It included a certificate verifying that our flag flew over Congress in honor of the RPS Model Congress team on November 20th. As Ms. McMillen points out, “This year’s Model Congress team earned 4 gavels in committee and an honorable mention at the competition; the team certainly regards it as our good luck flag!”
Ms. Snukis explains why she pressed Rutgers Prep to order a flag with such special roots. “Every day I feel honored to help lower the American flag flying in front of the Upper School. We all just pass it by everyday, without really giving it a second thought. It is my hope that because the members of Model Congress purchased the flag that flew over Congress while they were in Washington DC, it will have more meaning for them and they’ll think about what this flag represents.”
Ms. Snukis adds, “The flag represents not only our freedom, but serves as a symbol of all the men and women who have made personal sacrifices to keep our nation free. I have several members of my own family currently serving our country. I felt I had to take part in this tradition to honor them.”
It seems that Jane’s efforts are already affecting the way our community views our new set of stars and stripes. As Rutgers Prep School Council Vice-President, Obi Nkwonta takes responsibility for raising the flag each morning. Obi says, “I think that it’s truly an honor to hoist the same flag that has flown over Congress. I feel proud to be American when I see it flying in the wind.”
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