Students, Staff and Site Coordinators are working together to build community among Black students at Ferndale High School.
Being a Black student in a predominantly white school can feel isolating among many other feelings, and nobody knows that better than President of Ferndale High School’s African American Culture Club, 17-year-old Jaden Johnson-Pruitt.
Before the club was formed, Jaden had faced challenges of racism and isolation for being Black. Some traumatic experiences on the football team caused him to stop playing the sport he is most passionate about. This caused him to become distant, disengaged and at risk of failing his classes. Jaden said he felt that even if he were to go to somebody with his concerns, nothing would really come of it. His grades were slipping, and his mental health was being affected from these experiences. Jaden said that he felt ostracized for being Black, and didn’t feel connected to the other Black students at the school.
Jaden wasn’t the only one to see and experience these concerns. Ferndale High School Paraeducator Olivia Isturis and Communities In Schools of Whatcom-Skagit’s Ferndale High School Site Coordinator Emely Spencer saw the lack of advocacy and community among the Black students and knew they needed support.
Emely had been involved in the Black Student Coalition at Western Washington University during her undergrad, and having grown up in Tacoma, advocating for diversity has always been a core value of hers.
Olivia grew up in a place where not a lot of people looked like her, so she felt very passionate about connecting with the students, having purpose, and sharing experiences. She wanted to be an ally that can understand their experiences and advocate for them when they need someone to be there for them. Olivia made the plan, Emely made the flyers, and by word of mouth, the African American Culture Club came to fruition.
Ferndale High School has had similar clubs in the past, but due to historically having such a low Black student population, the clubs didn’t last. This year though, the Black population is higher than it’s ever been, and school administrators saw this club as a top priority. Principal Ravinder Dhillon has been tremendously supportive of the club.
The impact of the club was immediate. What started out as only four students has quickly grown to thirteen.
“We have created another space for them to learn some leadership skills.”
Olivia Isturis
The club has discussed topics such as what black hair styles signify, and the significance of soul food.
Olivia and Emely have created a space where these students feel safe, heard and can come to them with anything because they know and trust that Olivia and Emely will go to bat for them.
“It’s important to have a relationship with a trusted adult at school.” Jaden said.
Once the club had started, Emely insisted Jaden should come join. Not knowing what to expect, he went anyway. He couldn’t remember exactly what the agenda of the meeting was, but he knew that he laughed a lot and had a great time. When it came time to vote for a President, he won by a landslide, and because he faced his challenges head on, he rose up and became a leader.
“The support of the community, and seeing the students want to be in the club, want to speak up, stand up for their culture and what they believe in,” … “It’s just been beautiful to see where we started and where we will continue to go.”
CISWS Site Coordinator Emely Spencer
“My teachers said they see me smiling a lot more now.” Jaden said.
Jaden’s grades have significantly improved, and he is passing all his classes.
As Jaden prepares for his senior year in high school, he has his eye on athletic scholarships and wishes to compete in football at the college level while pursuing a degree in accounting. As for the club, Jaden intends to carry the momentum from this year into the next. Jaden said that his main goal with the club is to make sure that people know Black History Month isn’t only in February, it’s a part of American history as a whole. He intends to lead an assembly for Black History Month, and wants to help as many people as possible.