As usual last semester was a busy and eventful first half of the year. Juggling classes, clubs, sports, concerts, and shows along with other activities outside of school can be very stressful. That makes it all the more impressive that we made it through. One of those very stressful tasks that many students have to deal with is the role of leading or being a part of a club. Clubs are a great place to gain some independence within the school system. Students get the opportunity to learn how to manage systems and organize events, all through a method that endorses self-expression. To better understand the difficulty of this particular leadership role, and to appreciate their accomplishments I interviewed the faculty sponsor Mr Jackson and one of the club leaders Madison Dennis, about the Black Students Association (BSA). To gain a more extensive point of view, that is based in the history of Tower Hill I also interviewed the director of Alumni Relations, and former student Matthew Twyman.
Some form of the organization has been around since Mr Twymans freshman year, which was in 1984. It was similar to the current BSA, in the way that it was a place for Black students to meet regularly in school. It also met with other similar groups from independent schools in the region. However, since Mr Twymans high school career the club has expanded quite a bit. Back in 1984, there were only two black students per grade in the high school. So, while the club's purpose largely remains the same, it has changed for the better in many ways.
The BSA has a very multifaceted purpose within the community of Tower Hill. As Madison’s Desnis states, the BSA is there to “create a safe space for black students and [to] help formulate a community within a predominantly white school, and to celebrate black culture and promote awareness”. This multibranched definition, emphasizes the importance of the BSA in helping to create an inclusive and respectful community. With such importance also comes a lot of difficulty in making sure this mission is accomplished.
When I spoke to Mr Jackson he made sure that it was known that the BSA was managed by the students. He iterated that his role as faculty sponsor was just to give the students the agency to lead. He also mentioned that he has seen several organizations like the BSA at other schools, through his extensive teaching career. This shows that it is necessary for students in any school to have organizations like the BSA, to provide communities for minority groups and to raise awareness everywhere.
Madison also mentioned other responsibilities that include organizing events to help people bond, such as games like family feud, and planning what to do for Black History Month. Organization for Black History Month included planning the influential black artist series during morning meetings, and planning the Black History Month dinner. The BSA has been working hard this entire year, and they are still planning future events for this second semester. The leaders of the BSA are collaborating closely with the rest of the club to organize activities, such as a trip to DC, an annual end of the year Barbeque, a mental health day activity, and a college advice panel. It is safe to say that this club is integral to the community of Tower Hill and that it works hard in order to not only celebrate African American culture, but also to accomplish its goals in building a safe space for Black students.
Comments