On the fifth floor at Meridian, the Reflection Garden appears tired. After an enduring geese occupation, it is gray and lifeless. But now, it is undergoing a transformation.
In a Schoology update on Nov. 13, Principal Peter Laub introduced the concept for the Marian Costner Selby Peace Garden, which will be built in and around the current garden. The Peace Garden will honor Marian Costner Selby, who broke barriers in Falls Church City as the first black student to attend George Mason High School in 1961.
Marybeth Connelly, the Director of Strategic Planning and Community Engagement for FCCPS, said that after Selby told her story at the 2024 Meridian High School Winter Band Concert, Connelly began collaborating with Mr. Laub, Superintendent Peter Noonan, and Selby herself to envision how they could emphasize her impact to the Meridian community. After a series of meetings, the group decided the Peace Garden would do just that.
The Peace Garden will be more than a few pottings, and it will extend beyond the outdoor space. Connelly said the garden and space around it will become a museum-like exhibit. She wants to create a space “for students that promotes reflection and peace.”
So, Connelly worked with museum curator James Hollack to plan the elements of the exhibit. It will include a mural, a sculpture, graphic panels to biography Selby’s experience, and new plantings and furniture.
Currently, visual artist Asia Anderson is painting a mural of an adolescent Selby on her way to school. The purpose of the mural is to “invite people into the space,” Anderson said. “[The Peace Garden will be] a place where the past meets the present, inspiring us to work toward an improved future.”
Anderson is also working on applying the floral elements from the mural to paint on the window decals around the garden, as well as art for the solar tubes.
Both Connelly and Anderson stressed that they hope the garden conveys Selby’s persistence as she boldly integrated the school system.
“She did something no one had done before,” Connelly said.
“Today, attending school is something many of us can easily take for granted. It’s crucial that we understand and learn from the past so that we do not repeat the cruelest actions,” Anderson said.
Connelly said the garden will be completed — revitalized — by the spring. Connelly noted that students can reach out to her with suggestions for ways they can directly contribute art or ideas to the garden.
