Imagining Peace and Possibility: Frederick A. Douglass High School Students Take Part in the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus Experience
On a sunny day in New Orleans, the iconic John Lennon Educational Tour Bus, a mobile multimedia studio, rolled up to the Ellis Marsalis Center for Music, ready to welcome eager students from Frederick A. Douglass High School, one of KIPP New Orleans Schools, for a unique opportunity. Known for its mission of fostering creativity, community, and peace, the bus—co-founded by Yoko Ono and Brian Rothschild—brought an unforgettable, hands-on experience to these young creators. The visit, made possible in collaboration with the Ellis Marsalis Center, granted students a day immersed in music production, video editing, and the inspiring legacy of John Lennon’s vision.
As KIPP New Orleans Schools celebrates 20 years of serving students across New Orleans, the day embodied KIPP’s commitment to inspiring bright futures—shaped by both big milestones and everyday moments of discovery. For many students, like Rowdy Mendoza, a freshman at Douglass and aspiring music producer, it was a rare opportunity to hone their talents. “I’ve made music beats before, but learning to sync sounds, handle studio equipment, and edit professionally all in one day—that’s a huge step up,” Rowdy shared enthusiastically. “Now I feel ready to make more polished work I can really be proud of.”
Each step of the day offered students a unique and personal encounter with the creative process. Panashe Mugadza, one of the onboard engineers, explained the purpose of the bus: “We’re here to empower these students, giving them access to tools and knowledge that might be otherwise out of reach.” She added, “Our goal is for them to see that whatever their talent—whether it’s music, photography, or videography—they have a voice worth sharing, and they can do it professionally.”
One of the day’s highlights was the creation of an original song and music video, collaboratively produced by the students. Working together, they brainstormed lyrics around a theme inspired by Lennon’s message of peace—finding compassion and calm in difficult times. The resulting video, which will soon premiere, showcases their original lyrics, music, and collective efforts. “Knowing the video’s going to be out there for people to watch is wild,” said Khaci Cain, an 11th-grader and one of the vocalists. “It’s like we’re showing what we’re capable of, and people will actually get to see and hear it.”
Senior Cordell Robertson, who dreams of becoming a rapper, shared a deeply personal story. Robertson, who plans to attend Southern University and join its band, opened up about his journey as a student with autism and his desire to channel those experiences into music. “I wanted to record a song that shows how I feel, especially about being misunderstood,” he said. “Doing this on the bus, I felt like I could finally put my story into words and music. It’s something I’ve always wanted to share.
For others, like senior Calvin Barre, the experience broadened career interests. “I always liked photography, but using the equipment and learning professional techniques made me think maybe I could do this as a job,” he reflected. Calvin took charge of the camera work for the video project, experimenting with angles and lighting to capture the group’s vision.
“I learned so much in just a few hours. Now, I’m seriously thinking about making music videos or working in media,” he added.
Bryce Quig-Hartman, a senior producer on the bus, spoke about the broader impact: “We want these students to feel that the stories they tell, the images they create, and the music they make are meaningful. They walked away today knowing they’ve created something real. That’s the heart of our mission.” The Lennon Bus, which travels across the U.S. and Europe, strives to empower young people, especially in underserved communities, to realize their creative potential.
For Frederick A. Douglass High School students, the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus was much more than an event; it was a creative movement—a chance to discover their voices, work with professional tools, and create something uniquely theirs. This experience came at a fitting time, as KIPP New Orleans Schools reflects on 20 years of dedication to its students, marked by big milestones and countless small moments of growth. As each student stepped off the bus that day, they carried with them not only memories but a renewed sense of possibility, ready to shape their futures—one beat, one lyric, and soon, one premiere at a time.
