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Students gather to discuss racial issues

Page Last Updated: Tuesday November 17, 2009 3:11pm PST

Victoria Campbell, News 4

A student advisory group in Washoe County is tackling the impact of race, ethnicity and cultural differences on graduation rates among high school students.

In a daylong conference involving two dozen teens from different high schools, the district encouraged students to discuss how race and ethnicity have stood in the way of some students' achievement. In Washoe County, about 60 percent of African-American and Hispanic students stay in high school long enough to graduate. For white students, the graduation rate is 83 percent.

Superintendent Heath Morrison says closing the so-called ‘achievement gap' is one of his top priorities. Students who participated in the session agreed.

"I learned that everyone has racial and ethnic barriers they want to take down," said Olivia Hernandez, a junior at TMCC High School. "We need to be united as a people, rather than as certain racial groups."

"I don't judge people on their appearance, their skin color, their ethnic group or poverty," said Estrella Martinez, a junior at Reed High School. "You just have to love the person for who they are."

The students say they want to organize a public relations campaign, write and produce videos and organize cultural days at local schools to raise awareness. They will approach the School Board with their plans in the next few weeks.

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