Students have sprouted in activism during their high school careers and the ACT club provides a space for these students to be changemakers

Student activism has flourished in recent years. Students are eager to make a change because it is their school, their home for the next four years. Creating a healthy and safe environment provides flourishment for future generations. What started out as the Progressive club seven years ago, evolved into the ACT (Activist Coalition for Tomorrow) club which provides a space for young activists to work together and create change. The club’s enrollment has risen to 91.

Student activism or campus activism is work by students to cause political, environmental, economic, or social change. In addition to education, students often play central roles in democratization and winning civil rights.

ACT Club, focuses on spreading awareness and breaking stigmas around topics many students don’t feel comfortable with and the school doesn’t address. They spread awareness about culture and languages and informs how the school can improve. Members said they hope to break stigmas including mental health, sex education, and providing a safe space. 

Israel Perez is a young activist and is the co-president of the ACT club. He has been a part of activism for the past several years and has had a huge impact on campus culture. 

Perez believes this year’s school culture has improved tremendously. What seemed to have been a toxic environment in the past has grown into a safer space for students to open up and be themselves. 

“School culture regarding student interactions has improved. And as for students, I see a lot more openness and willingness to work, which is exciting to see. I hope that next year, maybe next week or maybe next month, whatever time it may be, I just hope students become more open and willing to learn. Educate themselves not on just things they know but on other perspectives” Perez said. 

Perez was a part of the Climate Strike in 2017, and even though he wasn’t an active speaker he showed up with his one-of-a-kind sign to be involved in the cause. Two years ago, he began speaking and hosting his own events, especially since Perez has been a strong advocate for the Latinx community and more recently, advocating for the lgbtqia+ community. 

He has helped Latinx community members register to vote, helped create ELTA (help translate for English learners), helped organize the Coming Out Against Hate forum in October of 2021, instigated chalk and talks for Latinx Heritage Month and Native American Heritage month, and has hosted events for ECHO homeless shelter. 

Geoffrey Land, has been the advisor of the ACT club since day one and has played a huge role in student activism. He sees student activism as part of the learning process and part of the educational process. 

“Teaching government for the last 25 years, I’ve seen there’s often a feeling of powerlessness and disconnection from society, school, government, and local decisions that students a lot of times feel because they’re not included in a lot of decisions that affect them. Therefore, student activism is engaging with an issue for issues in an effort to improve things for the better” Land said.

Something that has stuck out to Land this year is that the students in ACT have recognized the power of collaboration and solidarity and have worked very closely with MeCHA and BSU. This union of clubs has been a powerful statement on campus and there has been a gradual increase in representation amongst students of color. 

“My hope is that students can be engaged in their communities and make their communities a better place and a caring about their neighbors and caring about their country and recognize the government serves us. And not that we serve the government,” Land said. 

Ways students can be involved can start small. Students can join the ACT club, JOII club, and Beach Beautification Club which are led by young student activists reaching out for a better environment and better campus culture.