One School, United: Latino Club, Making a Difference

               At Payson High School there is a separation between the majority of Caucasians and Latinos students. This habit seems to have stemmed from misguided ideas, prejudice, and a mutual fear of different cultures, backgrounds, and languages.  It should not need to be said that this separation should not exist. We are all just teenagers trying to survive this crazy world of parents, teachers, breakups, drama, pressure, passion, boredom, and chaos;each person is a priceless part of our school.   When I interviewed members of the Latino Club at Payson High who are determined to reverse this severance and flawed judgment, Guiulliano Gagliano said, “They judge us without knowing, and we judge them without knowing. No one wants to be judged without being known”.

                In the 1900’s millions flocked to America, welcomed by the words on the Statue of Liberty, “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free. The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me; I lift my lamp beside the golden door”. Immigrants came to the US with little or no money, English language skills, or education. Many of these immigrants were the original settlers of our very own Payson. Many people today come from all over the world to Payson in the heart of the USA. There is a disturbing false idea now that those whose ancestors immigrated here a hundred years ago can deny the people coming here the same opportunities that their ancestors had, just because they were here first. The mistreatment and prejudice against families that sacrifice everything for a better life for their children. Students who have assumptions made daily about their morals, intelligence, background and lifestyle just because of their race.   The fear and judgment of a group based only on what is see on the halls.    Breaking social barriers is something that can only be done on an individual basis. It is smiling, waving in the hall, saying hello, getting to know people next to you in class. “Step up, go out of our comfort zone, and reach out to people,” said Kimberly Rodriguez. If we each reach out with an open mind we can learn about all the great things that make us each unique, and the things that we all share. “We can become one big family”, said Farid Gueuarra. United as one school we are unconquerable.  The background of the families who made this journey is eye opening. People with remarkable backgrounds and values come to Payson for a better life. As I listened to stories from the pasts of students at our school I learned of schools that could hit or expel you just for talking back to a teacher, places where not everyone has water, food, or housing. A corrupt justice system where cops and judges could just be paid off, Things I take for granted.  “Here the life we live, it is so good here, you don’t struggle here. It’s a peaceful life. Anything you want you can get, you can work. It’s a better way of living. There is opportunity here. I know people that would die to come here”, said Able Martinez.  If they had all the money in the world and could do anything in the world, what they would do, each interviewee immediately said that they would go to these places and help the poor people there.  “I’m excited about the Latino Club and feel that they’re going to make a great difference at Payson High School”, said SBO President Zac Quist.