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Multicultural Student Achievement Network students urge belonging, share D.C. conference experience
Summary
Students in Waunakee High School’s Multicultural Student Achievement Network outlined actions to increase belonging for students of color, described affinity‑group work and a microaggression video in production, and recapped their November conference trip to Washington, D.C.
At the Waunakee Community School District board meeting, members of the high school Multicultural Student Achievement Network (MSA) described steps they are taking to make school feel more inclusive for students of color and summarized their November student leadership conference in Washington, D.C. The presentation drew emotional, personal testimony and a certificate presentation from the board.
MSA members said their goals are twofold: create affinity groups and increase enrollment in advanced‑course programming among multicultural students. “At its core, our mission is to help students of color feel welcomed, supported, and understood,” said a student presenter, Sebastian, introducing the group and listing members Chloe, Johana, Carlie, Sarah and Anna.
The students described action steps already under way: affinity groups that include Los Guerreros, the Asian Student Association and a Black Student Union; outreach at Future Freshman Night to encourage underrepresented students to consider advanced courses; participation in district DEI meetings to provide student perspective; and ongoing work on a microaggression video intended for staff and student audiences. They also said they plan fundraising and expanded social‑media outreach to build awareness of the club and its events, including follow‑up meetings on “Warrior Days” that foster peer connections.
Several students shared personal accounts of why MSA matters. One student described the club as “a place where we are all connected by our differences,” and another said MSA helped them overcome feelings of isolation after immigrating to the U.S. The presenters said roughly 20 students participate, with a smaller core of active members.
Board members praised the presentation and presented certificates of appreciation to each student. The board also invited the group to continue bringing student perspective to DEI and EOS (Equal Opportunity School) discussions.
The district’s staff and board signaled support for the students’ planned work; next procedural steps discussed at the meeting were continuation of affinity‑group meetings, completion and planned viewing of the microaggression video, and continued district support for travel and conference attendance.
