Andrew Royal ’26 was selected to take part in a four-day ecumenical program in justice-seeking theological education February 14-17 with the Youth Theological Initiative from Emory University’s Candler School of Theology. The journey to Montgomery, Selma, and Birmingham, included an exploration of Civil Rights sites. We spoke with Andrew about his experience.

 

Tell us about your trip with the Youth Theological Initiative. What were some new things you learned that stand out for you?

There were many things that stood out to me when learning about my ancestors and the adversities they faced when fighting for my rights. More than anything, what stood out for me was learning about the number of lynchings in Fulton County. At the lynching memorial, there were at least 36 Black Americans who had been lynched in Fulton County. As I looked at the metal rectangle with the names of those wrongfully hung, my knees buckled under the weight of those lost lives. At the memorial, I also learned about Black Americans who were lynched in East Point, including a 14-year-old boy named Warren Powell. I also visited the Edmund Pettus Bridge [in Selma]. Being on that bridge was surreal as I imagined the atrocities that happened to my people at the hands of a police force—a group meant to protect us rather than assault and kill us. Hearing how Alabama State Patrol officers chased the fleeing marchers on horseback all the way back to their church, and proceeded to shoot at the surrounding houses, was sickening. 

 

What moments from the trip will you remember most?

I will certainly remember being at the lynching memorial—the National Memorial for Peace and Justice in Montgomery—and 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, where a terrorist bombing killed four young girls in 1963. It's one thing to hear about these places and events but another being there, knowing what happened. Another key moment is when we were in a museum commemorating the march from Selma to Montgomery and, when looking at some of the equipment that was used, my friend asked me if we were looking at a taser. I felt disappointed when I had to tell him it was a cattle prod. It’s somewhat unsettling that I would have felt better if they used tasers on us rather than cattle prods, as if the simple act of changing the weapons they used against us would make me feel like they saw us as somewhat human.

 

Did you make new friends among your fellow participants?

I made a lot of new friends with my fellow participants. The thing I enjoyed a lot about the trip is the fact that we came from all over the South. Some people came from North Carolina while others from Florida and South Georgia. So we were able to connect through not only being Christians, but also as Southerners who understand the shameful past of our states.

 

How did the experience impact your personal faith?

The experience definitely made me a stronger Christian. I've even added in some spiritual practices I learned from my friends on the trip. 

 

Tell us about yourself. What are your favorite subjects academically and what activities are you involved in at Woodward?

My favorite subjects here at Woodward are German and history. I’ve always been interested in history from a very young age, so this trip was perfect for me. I am on the Woodward Cross Country and Track & Field teams. I’m the co-vice president of the German Club and secretary of Model UN. I’m an Honor Guard “A” team member and was present at the Veterans Day event as the Georgia flag bearer. 

 

What are your plans for the future?

In the future, I want to become an officer in the U.S. Army, so I am working toward attending the United States Military Academy at West Point. However, you always need a backup plan, so the other schools I’m looking at are University of North Georgia, Texas A&M, American University, University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa, Georgia Southern, and Auburn.