Understanding Discrimination through the characters in the Wizard of Oz

The classic film entitled "The Wizard of Oz" contains hidden themes related to stereotyping and discrimination. The movie, three main characters are portrayed as the specific people who play parts in the world of discrimination. The scarecrow is known as the mindless speaker, the lion plays the coward, and the tin man is the character that lacks an empathetic heart. While thoroughly watching the movie, I was able to unpack each of these characters and who they represent. Along with the symbolism between these characters, the Wizard of Oz also has an important theme. At the end of the movie when the scarecrow received a brain, the lion received courage, and the tin man received his heart, all three of those characters put their new gifts together and they were no longer lacking anything. It only takes one person to speak out against discrimination. As long as we have minds to think, courage to speak out, and hearts to feel empathy, the world will be changed and the problem of discrimination will be resolved.
- Collin Kimbrough

Lives changed from the Dominican.

Last March, our seniors experienced change in themselves and witnessed it in their classmates.  Every year, Worthington Christian blesses the senior class with a trip to the Dominican Republic as a short-term mission trip.  This trip really shows how God works through people and how he has the power to change the hearts of many.  I interviewed four students and one teacher and got their testimonies about how they experienced change in themselves and how they witnessed it in others.  Senior Jacob Eriksen talks about how he witnessed God's love to the people noted as "the lowest of the low".  Nathan Han tackles the idea of students breaking out of their comfort zone and how certain students are good with children.  Courtney Parsell explains why she got baptised and how it affected her life.  Katie McIntosh portrays the senior class as a family and how they all bonded together. Finally, Trevor Wadsworth tells us that he has seen the blessings of the Dominican Republic spill out onto his life and the life of his students after they had returned.
- Jack Peterman