Wolfeboro, New Hampshire, January 17, 2006 — U.S. Rep. John Conyers Jr. was the featured speaker at the 17^th Annual Trey Whitfield Memorial Lecture at Brewster Academy today.

Congressman Conyers spoke of the non-violent philosophies of the civil rights leaders he admired, including Nelson Mandela, who fought so long against apartheid in South Africa; Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who began his pivotal role in the U.S. civil rights movement as a representative to Rosa Parks; and Rosa Parks herself.

"In deciding not to comply with a segregationist law and taking a seat at the front of the bus, [Parks] became a model of non-violent civil rights protest for this country and for the world," Conyers said. "This cleaning woman, who sat where she did on the bus simply because she was tired, became the first woman to lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda."

Conyers went on to say that the young men and women of today still play a crucial role in the civil rights movement. "What Brewster Academy teaches reflects the direction we want the world to take – to be able to recognize how critical it is to speak out when an injustice is done and recognize the importance of non-violent protest."

He continued, "I urge all my young Brewster friends to have the courage to learn what's going on in the world, research the issues, and be brave enough to voice your opinions. In addition, be brave enough to change your mind – and admit it – if you later discover you are wrong."

Conyers is the second most senior member in the U.S. House of Representatives, having entered the House in 1964, and is the longest-serving African-American in the history of the House. He is dedicated to improving the lives of the people of Michigan's 14th Congressional District, which includes parts of Detroit and surrounding areas.

During his 41 years in Congress, social justice and economic opportunity have remained focal points of Conyers' work.

The annual lecture is named for and honors Trey Whitfield, a member of Brewster's class of 1989 who believed that everyone, regardless of ethnic background, should have equal access to the educational opportunities needed to reach their potential in life. In addition to Conyers' speech, the Trey Whitfield School Choir from Brooklyn, New York, performed inspirational songs and dedicated a song about heroes to Brewster.

In closing, A.B. Whitfield, Trey's father and head of the Trey Whitfield School, thanked the Brewster community and reminded the students, "If you want to be real, realize that the true heroes are here in this room. No school will ever be named after a hip-hop star. While you're here, make it count … love survives … what's inside counts."

Brewster Academy is an international leader in independent secondary education and is widely recognized for its success in using advanced learning and information technologies to accelerate student growth in a vigorous college preparatory environment. Brewster provides its 367 students (Grades 9-12 and post-graduate) with a personalized curriculum based on individual mastery and best-teaching practices in a sophisticated technology-rich learning environment.

Brewster Academy is accredited as a secondary school by the New England Association of Schools & Colleges, Inc.

The Academy is located on the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee in the resort community of Wolfeboro, N.H. Learn more about the Brewster difference by visiting us at www.brewsteracademy.org or giving us a call at 603.569.7494.