From the mid-1950s to the 1970s, the Vietnam War affected millions of lives across the globe. While young men weren’t drafted until they were 18, teenagers at the time were more involved than you’d think, as they felt the impact of the war from the homefront – including in DC and at our school, formerly Woodrow Wilson.

Julie Mangis, a Wilson graduate of 1960, describes her generation’s experience with this war, stating that “three of [her] classmates died in the war.” According to Mangis, the Vietnam War also encompassed many aspects of life for students in 1960, adding “the war affected many of our decisions about college, marriage, grad school. It was a bonding experience that we’ll never forget.” Twelve years later, alumnus Ed Stolar also cites Vietnam as a significant cultural aspect of his graduating class of 1972.

Today, sophomores read a book about the Vietnam War, The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien, as part of the curriculum, making the Vietnam War seem like ancient history. Could you imagine the war as a part of daily life instead of a part of the curriculum? 

In general, the length, reach, and consequences of the Vietnam War brought about much unrest. High school and college student protests occurred often, especially in the ‘60s and ‘70s, as Americans grew more and more unhappy with the war in Vietnam and the draft forcing young men to war. But is this really as foreign as it seems? 

Whether it be 1965 or 2026, high school and college students continue to protest against wars and political turmoil. As of March 3, NYU students and the surrounding area rallied against US and Israeli airstrikes on Iran, drawing parallels to similar Vietnam War protests of the 1960s and 1970s. Making student voices heard has been necessary since before 1960 and will still be after 2026, as politics have always remained relevant in students’ lives across the US. At Jackson-Reed, students continue to participate in politics through protests. In 2014, hundreds of students protested against the Westboro Baptist church, which had targeted Wilson’s openly gay principal, Pete Cahall, and the school for celebrating Pride Day. Even just in February of this year, students participated in an anti-ICE protest in support of immigrant populations. Events like these often have huge turnouts and involvement from students whose voices often go unheard by the general public.

It is important to remember past historical events as they continue to stay relevant in our lives, but it is also important to focus on current events. This year’s graduating class of 2026 may be over 60 years younger than Julie Mangis’, but facing current politics and crises will always remain a part of life at Jackson-Reed as we participate in our history instead of watching it pass us by. •