The Class of 2020: A Legacy of Activism at NEST+m

As Generation-Z and Millenials are getting older and more mature, over these past couple of years, there has been notable activism, as the youth are forming opinions regarding important issues and have found platforms to express their beliefs. The youth are greatly concerned about the state of our future, with many of these issues even being brought into our classroom learning. As a high school student NEST+m, I have noticed student involvement in activism. NEST+m students are participating in supporting many social issues affecting our society today, and part of this can be attributed to the class of 2020 working with the administrative team to coordinate safe ways for the students to get involved.

Over the past couple of years, students have worked with the administration to allow students to participate in walkouts without needing to worry about the repercussions of skipping school. “When I was a freshman we weren’t allowed to go on walk outs,” stated Bella Dopman ‘20. “It made it hard to speak out on what I believed in because I wasn't allowed to attend certain protests. All the protests I attended were on weekends. But three years later I've been on school walkouts for better gun laws, women’s rights, and environmental awareness.” 

Part of this wave of activism at NEST+m began in 2018 after the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting. Many students wanted the opportunity to support the gun control protest. A group of students even created the instagram page @nestmwalkout as a way to easily relay messages regarding the protest to the student body. This was the first of many protests for which our students have been involved. 

“When it comes to activism I think everyone should do as much as they can to make a difference regardless of their age, whether this means helping coordinate walk outs, putting up posters around the school, or joining clubs that have activism components to them”, Dopman said. 

It is important to note that this activism culture is being incorporated into some clubs’ activities, The Environmental Club (@nestenviornmentalclub) is spreading the word about the Climate Change Walkout, and the Asian Culture Club (@nest.acc) met to discuss the Hong Kong Protests. 

(Side note: Mr. Wells, advisor of the Environmental Club, wants you all to know that you should be recycling properly in your classrooms. Other side note: Asian Culture Club is accepting post-it note messages for the Hong Kong protest Lennon Walls around NYC or to be sent to Hong Kong).

Activism in itself proves to be one of the biggest parts of one our school’s largest club BSU (@nestmbsu). I asked two of the club’s leaders for their opinion on the matter. “Before I got to high school I never knew BSU was even a thing,” stated Zawadi Boyce ‘20. “It wasn’t until freshman year at the club fair that I found out it existed.” It’s important to note that “At NEST+m—where the extent of our black history discussions consisted of a brief history of slavery, Martin Luther King, or Rosa Parks for 28 days or less—BSU became a place where we were all able to discuss topics we never got to before, and could share things about our experiences to better teach, learn, and understand each other.” BSU holds annual assemblies for black history month to share the stories of students in the school, they’ve taught lessons to elementary schoolers (a newer idea in the realm of club activities) and had an educational college trip and tour to Washington D.C. this past spring. 

“My fellow BSU leaders and I ran one of the largest clubs at NEST+m as mere tenth graders.” said Zanna Amanfu ‘20. “It was a daunting task to take charge of a club that held such importance to us and to have a constant reminder of our impactful presence within the NEST+m community.” But when it comes to activism, age shouldn’t stop you from making a difference. “Our underclassmen status did not deter us from our activism through assemblies and advancements made in collaboration with our peers and faculty. We became the change we wish to see.” stated Amanfu.

I had an in-depth conversation with Dopman about the class of 2020’s involvement in activism and how it contributed to our legacy at NEST+m. “The class of 2020 led the way in activism at NEST+m and paved the road that, hopefully, the underclassman will follow. My grade is extremely passionate about so many important causes, and I hope to see the same passion within the younger grades at NEST+m, ” she said. “There are other grades involved in activism, however, we were the ones to foster a discussion with the administrative team and spread awareness within the school community.” My discussion with Amanfu lead to a similar conclusion: “I have always admired the drive of the Class of 2020. We are pacemakers and we are so lucky to have this be the legacy we leave behind.”

 It is crazy to think that this is our last year at NEST+m. It is now up to the grades below us to continue involvement of activism when we are gone. “The class of 2020 has done so much activist work, but I think that the other grades will find a way to make it work,'' added Dopman. 

The class of 2020 sincerely hopes that activism culture continues strong and that all of you continue to stand for the chance to speak about what you believe in.