Wolf Prints recently interviewed some of the members of the Diversify Club: Jennifer Gonzales, Karen Ferral and sponsor Ms. Lashway to ask them a few questions about Diversify Club, including how it’s different and why you should join.  

How is Diversify different from other clubs?

Jennifer: I thinks it’s different because it is more open to diversity. I believe there is not a lot of diversity at Prairie Ridge and the club kind of embodies that diversity is important in life and at school.

Lashway: I actually think there’s more diversity than we realize when you look at what culture really means; it’s not just about race. It’s about gender, ethnicity, traditions, politics, art, religion, and so many other aspects of life.

Karen: Diversify is more of a cultural group, where you can learn more about not only you. Also you get to learn about your culture, but also about others.

How did Diversify Club start?

Jennifer: When Ms.Lashway took over for Mr.Brown [a former PRHS school counselor], she wanted it to be more of a club than a group for just us … focus on diversity, getting the word out, do things different so that  anyone who feels left out can join.

Lashway: It’s not just for people who feel left out. It’s also a space and an opportunity to celebrate culture, to learn about differences, and to find unity in similarities.

Before Ms. Lashway took over, what did you guys do in the group?

Jennifer: It was more of a Hispanic kids group, and Mr. Brown would take us out of class and let us talk about how we feel. It was like a group where you can just go and let everything out, but you kind of run out things to say–so Ms. Lashway made it more like a club. We wanted to get involved with the school more and focus on other different things than just talking and expressing yourself–which you can still do–but we do much more now.

Can you talk about some of the past projects?

Jennifer: Last Saint Patrick’s day, we sold shamrocks and candy [for people to] send them out to whoever you wanted. We also did a cooking night and made different types of food from all around the world. We are helping out with the musical [to help] the cast know the culture or how to pronounce some words. So they get a feel for it.

Karen: [The] St. Patrick’s Day shamrocks were called lucky charms. I don’t know for sure if we’re going to do them again this year, but it was a little cute little paper shamrock and people would pay $1 for one and they’d put a cute saying like “I’m lucky to have you in my life because…” and they’d put it to who and we’d get it to them throughout the school day.

What made you get involved with Diversify?

Jennifer: I joined because I wasn’t really involved with the school and also the time(the club would meet) worked with my schedule. I also knew a lot of people who wanted to join, so it made it easy for me to feel comfortable in a new club.  

Karen: Well, at the beginning of my freshman year Ms. Lashway asked me if I wanted to. She had asked some people who were already in the club any people who they thought would like to be in the club and my name popped up.

What kinds of students would Diversify like to see join?

Jennifer: Anyone who wants to know about people with different background and culture and would really enjoy it because that’s what we try to focus on. Also anyone who is open to people being different. Just to diversify everything.

What are some upcoming plans for Diversify Club? 

Karen: We will be helping out in the musical with dialect coaching seeing as to how Hispanic culture has a big role in this play.

Lashway: We will be looking to pair some of our Spanish-speaking students with non-Spanish-speaking cast members as dialect coaches. Others will be looking at ways to advertise the importance of opportunities, like this one, to educate our community about different cultures.

How often and when do you meet?

Lashway: We meet every 2nd and last Wednesday of the month at 7:00 a.m. in Student Services. Interested students can sign up for reminders by texting @diversepr to 81010.

Are they any requirements to join?

Jennifer: No requirements as long as you’re willing to join and participate and be opened-minded.