Mira Woodward / Business Manager
Black Student Union is a new club now being offered at the high school. Belonging to a club is the difference between going through high school and being involved in high school. For some people, it is hard to find a club that is diverse enough, which may drive some people to start their own clubs so others do not have to feel that longing for a group in which they feel comfortable being themselves. That is exactly what students senior Bryana Arnold and junior Rhyan Todd strived to do.
Their first meeting was on Jan. 28 after school in the library, and students were treated to free pizza, snacks, drinks and played fun games in order to get to know each other.
Martin Poder, one of the BSU advisors said Arnold and Todd wanted to start some community because they felt the student population was “a little bit scattered among the school” and there was not a place for them to get together.
Their goal for the meeting was to “break bread and socialize with each other. They also wanted to talk about doing some community service projects, some social events together,” Poder said.
Poder also talked about how Arnold and Todd wanted to feel a sense of togetherness because “they felt there were a lot of Black students throughout the school, and they haven’t talked or communicated with one another, and they want to kind of bring it together.”
Just like any new club, this one went through a long process to be officiated: finding a teacher administrator, running it by the Board of Education and promoting the club and its meetings.
“Rhyan and Bryana–I’ve known them for the last three years–came to my room a couple months ago, probably in November, saying they wanted to start Black Student Union. They asked if myself and Coach Sheppert would be advisors for it,” Poder said.
While Poder agreed to advise the club, he wanted to be able to sit down with the girls to find out what their goals and objectives were.
“That was how it kind of started, and then we got Bryce [Sheppert] involved,” Poder said.
Arnold said one of the goals they want for Black students is to have a “safe space for students to connect, grow and thrive.”
Both girls made sure to stay focused on the purpose of the organization by creating a vision for which they will use as a guide for the running of things: “Our mission is to promote unity and academic success, cultural education and community engagement while advocating for equality and inclusion within our school and community.”
One of the first Black Student Unions was founded back in 1966 at San Francisco State University. From there many schools adapted one in order to make students feel more comfortable in their schools.
“We will meet once a month to discuss relevant topics, plan events and build a community for cultural celebration, events such as Black History Month, programs, cultural showcases, and we were trying to do guest speakers. We also want to incorporate community service projects into it such as partnering with local organizations to make a meaningful impact on the community,” Arnold said.
The Black Student Union club’s name may stray some students away from joining; however, club members have made it clear that anyone who wants to be supportive of the Black community in their school can attend any of the meetings.
“It’s a Black Student Union, but that doesn’t mean that it’s strictly for black students. Anyone is welcome–[it’s an] open door,” adviser Bryce Sheppert said.
SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING--Anyone can call the tip line: 1-844-723-3764 or email safehs@smfschools.org 