It’s March 8th. You walk into the WAHS cafeteria where you are greeted by a world that idealizes what a school should reflect: inclusivity and cultural appreciation. The ceilings are lined with colorful country flags and the walkways include representation from every affinity group. Music is accompanied by drum circles, and the sounds of vibrance emit just as the aromas of the varying cultural foods permeate the room. But what might be the most reflective concept of WAHS’s first annual Better Together multicultural event? Community is both unified and diversified like never before.
The WAHS Student Senate hosted its first multicultural event on March 8, 2024 from 4:15 to 6:30 PM. Comprised of the Men/Women/People of Color, Honor, and Ambition (MOCHA/WOCHA) organization, WAHS Handicap Advocacy Club (WHAC), Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA), Alianza Hispana, and Young Asian American and Pacific Islanders Club (YAAPIC), the Student Senate met weekly for six weeks prior to the event in order to secure all the details for the celebration. Not only were all the affinity groups responsible for planning all activities, but each group also designed a respective information booth that represented the interests and engagements of each organization. The event also featured musical performances from the likes of Justin Parker, Arthur and Company, Emily and Hanna Kim, Chihama, and WAHcapella. Food was catered by Doma, Pearl Island, Terrence Catering, and Fiesta Azteca.
School librarian Jami Curry was a major contributor to the organizing of the event. Exposed to the Student Senate in the fall through a school activity, Curry has since provided great support to the organization.
“I first met the student senators when I took them on a field trip back in the fall, so I kind of inadvertently became a leader of the Student Senate. I’m not the sole organizer, though. Mr. Anderson, Ms. Padrón, and Ms. Kay are all assisting the organization,” said Curry.
Following a meeting with high school students in the greater school district, the WAHS Student Senate began planning for the event.
“The Student Senate wanted to do something after we went to our first county meeting of high schoolers that are running senates in their schools,” Curry said, “And so one thing we talked about was, ‘how to bring awareness to your student body, and how to bring awareness of African American people, Latino people, LGBTQ+ people,’ and that’s where a multicultural event came from: to bring awareness to the WAHS student community, to bring acceptance and advocacy to the WAHS student community.”
Despite the fact that Curry has only served at WAHS for the past year, she has already left an impact by sponsoring events of these sorts, including the Black History Month Speaker Series in February. From her perspective, she would like to unify the WAHS community and foster inclusivity.
“Overall, I feel like we see a strong, tight knit community. What we don’t see are the microaggressions that happen: students being marginalized for their cultural differences, and that’s what we have to change. As teachers and staff, you don’t always see the negative moments, but in small ways they’re there” said Curry.
The event received a generally positive response from both students and staff. Many of the attendees not only enjoyed the celebration, but also recognized the importance of holding events such as the Better Together celebration.
“I think it’s a wonderful sharing event. It’s a really good place to share what everyone’s doing,” said attendee and musical performer Arthur Hobbs.
Science teacher Molly Ashur was motivated to attend the event to support her students from varying backgrounds and learn about their cultures. “I think [the event] is extremely important. If you want to have an appreciation for other cultures, you have to know about the other cultures and so this is a great opportunity for us to learn about other cultures.”
United for one night, the Student Senate and event organizers hope to continue to build community through future events in order to achieve equity for all.
“My number one hope would be that any student in WAHS would feel comfortable being at school. No matter what affinity groups or underrepresented groups or popular groups, there must be equity for all,” said Curry.
