Instagram account highlights students and faculty
BETHLEHEM, PA (December 11, 2017) – Liberty High School teacher Adam Reitz has always been well aware of the diversity that exists within the school’s hallways. A recently started photography collaboration between Reitz and students, however, is bringing that diversity to social media via the Instagram account @HumansofLibertyHighSchool (https://www.instagram.com/hum
Reitz originally started the Instagram account after speaking with student Kristofer Gentile of the Liberty High School Class of 2018. Gentile was born in Latvia and experience a difficult childhood that eventually resulted with him spending time in a Latvian orphanage. He was adopted in 2013 and ultimately came to the Bethlehem Area School District.
“His story is amazing and I felt that more people should hear about it,” Reitz said. “That lead us to think about all of the other wonderful and diverse stories that go on within Liberty High School that people just may not be aware of.”
Reitz began the account in August 2017 and has expanded to have students help him with finding stories and taking photographs of the subjects.
Some profiles on the account include Jiading Yang of the Class of 2018 who was born in China and came to America in 2014. Yang details his work with ESOL teachers. Other profiles include Mr. Allen Frank, Music Teacher/Asst. Director of Liberty High School Grenadier Band, who details his time in the military and Jack Weikart, Class of 2018, who has spent more than 1,000 hours teaching children sign language.
Humans of Liberty even includes Liberty graduate and current NBA player with the San Antonio Spurs, Darrun Hilliard.
“Early in my life, my education was always tied to sports,” HIlliard said. “My mother always said that an education will be with you forever. No matter how many years of basketball you are blessed to play, your education can never be taken away from you. As a youth, I always knew that if I didn’t pay attention, respect teachers, and come home with good grades, there would be consequences.”
Reitz said that the Humans of Liberty High School profile is a way for students, faculty, administration, and the Bethlehem Area School District community to learn more about those who are a part of the school.
“There are many stories here,” he said. “This is a way not only to get them out, but to also involve the student body in telling those stories as well.”
For more information on the Instagram Account, please visit https://www.instagram.com/huma
About the Bethlehem Area School District
The Bethlehem Area School District, in partnership with the home and community, is committed to providing a safe and supportive environment in which each student will attain the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to become a productive citizen and lifelong learner in our technologically demanding and culturally diverse society.
Information & Images Provided By:
Barbara Clymer
Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent
Bethlehem Area School District
1516 Sycamore Street
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18017
