By Elizabeth DaCunha
Happy (Late) New Year!!
Since I last wrote in the Neighb News, the winter sports season has begun, and Fairhaven has also introduced a new Culture Club, and a new Social Justice & Teens elective.
First off, the Blue Devils Boys Track Team won the conference championship which junior Adin Monroe, a three-year track member spoke about: “Winning two years ago and winning this year is evidence that our team’s hard work has proven ourselves to be worthy of the back-to-back conference championships.”
Kate Flannery, runner for the Devil’s Girls Track Team spoke about the team’s progress as well.
Ms. Flannery stated, “Even though the girls team didn’t have the size or the experience that other schools did, everyone has fought hard and gave it their all every day and every race. I am proud of everyone’s efforts, setting a lot of personal records throughout the season, and we have had a successful season win or lose.”
Both the girls’ and boys’ basketball teams have had some great wins as well! Although the boys started the season 0-3, with assistance from primary ball handler and scorer Peter Joseph, along with consistency from Junior Tyler Chang and high energy on the court from Caden Letendre, the team has been able to improve their record and overall team immensely.
Our athletes on the girls’ team led by Team Captains Maya Medeiros and Emerson Bourgalt have shared a great season as well.
Junior Tenley Dakin, a key member of the team’s successful strides throughout the season, shared a statement in regards to the team’s progress so far: “Our team this year has honestly been the best despite our numbers being so low. We can all shoot well, play aggressive defense, and pass the ball effectively and efficiently. This team gets along so well, and it’s been so much fun.”
Fairhaven has also introduced a new club chapter to the school, called Culture Clubs of America. Eddie Gonet started this non-profit organization at Old Rochester Regional High School with a goal of “uniting students across schools, raising awareness of cultures, and educating students about life experiences.”
The non-profit has spread to other schools in the area, such as Tabor Academy, Dartmouth High School, Wareham High School, and more. After four months of applying for grants and undergoing the club application process, I have been able to found Fairhaven’s CCOA chapter!
It is very exciting for our school to be able to take part in this non-profit organization as it is an opportunity for the diversity within our community to be acknowledged and appreciated.
Along with club advisor Mrs. Duarte’s help, it is with great hope that we will be able to take part in the several virtual conferences and field trips that will help to educate students about different cultures including Irish Heritage, Deaf Culture, and Portuguese Heritage.
The Diversity, Inclusion and Equity Committee of Fairhaven High has also made great efforts towards improving the school community with the addition of a new elective known as the Social Justice & Teens elective.
First off, it is important to understand the committee and their goals.
Senior Astha Patel explained this: “It is our collective mission to have open minds and open conversations about inequities in race, sexual orientation, gender, class, age, and ability. We strive to educate ourselves and others, working on issues connected to prejudice, bias, and privilege while promoting inclusiveness, awareness, and acceptance.”
Although the committee just began last year, it has already brought significant change within our school for the better, changing the dress code to be more inclusive, and now, creating this opportunity for students to take this newly offered elective.
Samantha Broduer, a leading member of the committee says that they started the class, “because of the disparities seen in our regular curriculum.”
She further explained the process of creating the elective saying, “We were able to hand pick the lessons for the social justice class for a much needed introduction to an inclusive education. We’ve been working with Mrs. Higgins to change the curriculum to make it more inclusive and encompassing.”
The goal of this elective is to help mold Fairhaven’s curriculum into bringing “more inclusivity and acceptance into our community, trickling into everything from history to English to health education.”
See you all in March with more insightful updates to come from yours truly.
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