Highland High School is known for its outstanding athletic programs and its embracement of school pride. There is another element they can add to their resume — the Black Student Union (BSU).
“The whole point of the club for us is basically to help encourage students to recognize the culture and have development of respect of their own cultures and also respect other cultures as well and be empowered to do great things in education,” BSU coordinator and guidance counselor Gwen Shim said.
Of all the high schools in the Antelope Valley District, Highland is the only one with an African-American club.
“…I think it’s a great thing … for the students of course,” Shim said blissfully when she heard the news.
Shim asserts the club has been active for at least four years. The BSU is open to anyone of any race or ethnicity, any age. In fact,
BSU’s president and secretary are Hispanic, but Blacks do dominate the memberships.
BSU ranges anywhere from six to 20 members through year. There is however times when BSU becomes short-handed due to the fact that other members are engaged in other scholastic activities, like other clubs or sports, or some may have time conflicting schedules.
All grade-levels can be granted membership (the upper-classmen represents the majority of members) with the one exception that they maintain a minimum of a 2.0 GPA. Although it is acceptable, Shim is always encouraging her students to be overachievers.
“I want my students not just to acknowledge what is standard, but to go above and beyond for themselves,” Shim said.
According to Shim, there is an unprecedented high rate of BSU members that graduate from high school on time and further their education — whether it’s a junior college, CSU, UC, trade school, cosmetology school, and so on.
Club meetings are held Wednesdays after school from 2:45 p.m. to 3:20 p.m., but is often subject to change. Discussions regarding upcoming community and school activities are a commonality, but nothing serves as a hotter topic than fundraising. BSU’s funds come from fundraisers and donations. A current project in the works is getting the community to approve toilet trees for the homeless. Toilet trees are hygiene products, like toothpaste, soap, peroxide, wash cloths, feminine products, etc.
“The students are trying to work on getting a fundraiser (donation) to get toilet trees for the homeless,” Shim said. “We are waiting for our approval … everything we do as an operating club at the high school has to go through ASB (Association student Body).”
Last year they collected canned goods to give to the states program in Palmdale.
“We try to do different things where we can connect with the community and allow the students to recognize that giving back to the community not only helps us but it also makes us feel good,” Shim said. “The students who have participated in the group, I think that is gives them a sense of pride, they learn about community involvement and working at a business level.”
Next on the list is to present a showcase on African-American culture, as well as other significant cultures for black history month. Participants will be active in singing, dancing, poetry reading, and so forth in order to highlight positivity. BSU hasn’t established a sold identity — showing up randomly at events hasn’t earned them much recognition either, as far as being a part of or hosting a “traditional” or “annual” activity — so this event could be foundation of the clubs success.
“I just would like for my students to remember that education is important and to think of their options and be positive students and remember that their reflecting Highland High school, their families and their community and they want that to be positive,” Shim said.
- Donjai Richardson
