The Fairfax County Public Schools describes SEALS as “a leadership program that amplifies student voice and provides an increased understanding of diversity, inclusion, and equity through leadership development projects and relevant experiences. The goal is to empower students to take an active role in fostering a school culture of inclusiveness and creating a welcoming and culturally responsive environment for students, families, and staff.”
The Westfield SEALS meet monthly, and all students are welcome to participate. There are currently eight active members. Three of these members also represent Westfield on a County level: Sophia Alcocer Castedo (Junior), Maame Boakye (Sophomore), and Shayoni Bose (Freshman). The faculty advisors are Gretchen Snyder and J’Na Johnson.
Shayoni says, “My favorite part of SEALS is getting to hear everyone’s ideas of how to make the school a better place. We meet with students from other high schools and learn what has and has not worked for them.”
Maame adds, “Through SEALS I had the opportunity to talk freely with a student who is part of the LGBTQ community, and I learned about the stigmatization they faced. I now better understood how they feel, and it made me change my mind about them.”
Sophia values the opportunity to meet students from other schools, because it made her realize that the problems she encounters at Westfield are very similar to those that exist elsewhere.
The goal of the Westfield SEALS is to listen to other students and attempt to find solutions to the problems they face. For example, the girls requested easier access to sanitary supplies, and SEALS worked with the Women of Westfield club to find donated feminine products.
The members of SEALS are currently working to resolve the problem faced by the requirement that all students take a Student Government class before they can hold a school leadership position. They feel that many otherwise qualified students should not be prohibited from holding an office simply because they could not fit the required class into their schedule.
As is currently common in high schools, Westfield is facing problems with the misuse of bathrooms. Students cluster there to vape or to make cell phone calls, neither of which is allowed in the school. As a result, the small rooms get very crowded and difficult for students to use for their intended purpose. Also, the vape smoke can cause particular problems for people with breathing difficulties. The members of SEALS are considering the possible benefits of installing vape detectors.
Every two weeks all students at Westfield take “advisory classes”. For about 45 minutes they are asked to consider some selected topic. Often there is a video shown in all the classroom, followed by a discussion. Members of SEALS are currently working on creating a short video which discusses the use of racial slurs and other offensive language. They envision that this video would be followed by a discussion of how students should deal with situations they might face.
College and Career Specialist Laura Cudahy summarizes the group’s efforts by saying, “The Westfield SEALS are working with existing clubs and organizations to create a more inclusive school culture, cultivating better understanding, and decreasing conflicts. The members of SEALS are working to make this a more peaceful world.”