It was more of a feeling than a thought that brought me to this project. Perhaps it was the everyday grind at lunch to find connections and conversations with my peers that brought the issue to the forefront of my mind. This was my senior year at Redondo Union High School in California. My school is focused on sports. Cliques are prevalent. I often found myself—along with countless others—part of the “lunchtime fringe.” That feeling, and my knowledge of the SPLC and Teaching Tolerance, inspired me to plan Mix it Up at Lunch Day. I needed to change my school’s atmosphere.
The planning process was at times long and hard, especially as a student, but I longed for fewer tensions. Last week, the work paid off. My school’s first Mix It Up at Lunch Day was May 31.
Mix it Up at Lunch Day was an enormous success. About 150 students were given colored cards and sat with new people with the same colored card. Students were engaged by the icebreaker questions; it was a blissful blur of laughter and chatter. A reporter from the Daily Breeze, a local newspaper, came in to interview participants, which sparked even more youth interest.
Some students declined to participate. That is to be expected for the first time, although most were very enthusiastic. Best of all, however, were the student’s reactions. Some students even inquired as to whether this event could occur next year, once every month! Luckily, I found a successor to organize next year’s event.
Planning for this first event started last October when I went to the school’s administrators to discuss possibilities for implementing this project. Many said Mix It Up was a good idea, but did not respond to my emails regarding the project. Help came in the form of letters from other advocates. I encourage other student advocates to gather proof of support and examples of participation to add validity to the project. Next, I spoke to the Safe School Ambassadors, an anti-bullying program and other school groups to explain the project and get their support. An art class helped with posters and press releases. The Associative Student Body offered organization of activities and volunteers, the newspaper covered the event, and the SSA helped spread the work to my peers (not my strong suit) and created icebreaker questions to avoid awkward silence among students.
Through the process, I learned that it is beneficial to involve other youth rather than solely planning with adults. For example, when I spoke about bullying in front of the student body, many of my peers were more responsive in contrast to when a teacher brought up the subject.
My journey does not end here. I will continue to advocate for justice in the future. Mix It Up is only the beginning. I hope my school will continue to help break down barriers with Mix It Up.
Nelson graduates next week from Redondo Union High School and plans to continue working as an activist.
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