Active Middle School Diversity Club Helps Bring Awareness

Similar to the Upper School, the Middle School now has a Diversity Club that provides a safe space for students to voice concerns and discuss topical issues such as social justice matters.

Participating students meet weekly with club advisors Jose Martinez and Arijan Ager. 

“The activities we run within the club range from talking about current events or social issues the kids are interested in, to the kids giving presentations on their own cultures and religious beliefs/practices,” explained Mr. Martinez, adding that they have also discussed certain concepts such as bias and colorism.

The club has also been responsible for several Middle School-wide projects including a campaign for Black History Month. Students displayed fun facts and bios on prominent figures. A similar campaign for Women’s History Month is also underway. 

Additionally, the club worked on a poster campaign to highlight different concepts and terms of which students felt their peers should be aware.

“Jose and Arijan have done so much with the group and have created an awareness campaign that has touched on issues of gender identity, race, religion, stereotyping, and appropriation,” said Middle School Director Brian Christman.

Mr. Christman further noted that this isn’t the first Diversity Club in the Middle School. “At the end of last year, we talked about bringing the Diversity Club back. It was once known as the Climate Committee,” he said.

Currently, club members are brainstorming ways to conduct an activity to talk about the rise of Asian-directed hate crimes in the country. The forum would be another Middle School-wide program.

“We have done a pretty good job, I think, of creating a safe enough space for students to feel free to vent anything that may be on their mind or to discuss within the group,” maintained Mr. Martinez.