$50,000 given to Del Paso Heights high school to change the future of Black and brown youth

The rhythmic beats of Grant Union High School's iconic drumline set the stage for a celebration, marking a significant triumph – a $50,000 grant from Golden 1 Credit Union for the Associated Student Body, or ASB, at the school.  The success is attributed to the proactive efforts of ASB President Leah Nelson and Vice President Andrea Chaparro. 

When Nelson and Chaparro read the press release that Golden 1 was investing money in the Del Paso neighborhood, they didn’t just wait for the possibility that some of the money would come to their school, they decided they would create change by making a case for those funds themselves.

Courtney McKinney, the social impact program manager at Golden 1, said she was pleasantly surprised to receive an email from the two industrious 17-year-olds. 

"A lot of times it's easy to see the news in passing, but to latch on to it and be like, you know what this could be for us, it just shows wisdom beyond their years," she said. “It’s an example for adults like me.”

Nelson and Chaparro represent the majority Latin, Black, and Asian demographic of the student body, and are championing the new funds be directed to student-led initiatives which are underfunded but are an essential resource for community building and future economic mobility.

Navarro, who is also on the board for the “Si Se Puede” cultural club at Grant High, underscored the critical role cultural competency plays in educational spaces. She delivered her assembly speech in English, and then in Spanish. 

“Nuestro objetivo es que los graduados y estudiantes se sientan orgullosos de ser Pacer para siempre. Hemos empezado a trabajar con Golden One, [para] crear sesiones de educación financieras importantes,” explained Chaparro in Spanish. She said the goal of this money is to empower youth with financial education and feel a sense of pride in being a Grant High student or alumni. 

Nelson and Chaparro are poised to channel resources into the Del Paso Heights community by pouring into the youth of the high school. At the helm of the ASB committee, they are now responsible for determining how the $50,000 grant will be allocated. 

And Nelson is committed to ensuring that the clubs at Grant High School have the necessary resources.

 "We want to make sure that our clubs have the canopies that other schools' clubs have when they go to these big conventions, and we want to make sure that they have the chairs and tables, and that the chess club has chess materials and that the dancing clubs have the right dancing shoes."

Highlighting the significance of these clubs, Nelson emphasized their integral role in the school's identity.

 "Our clubs are the identity of the school," she noted, “And provide spaces for every student to embrace the diversity on the campus."

Principal Darris Hinson said resources were lacking for the student clubs, which rely on fundraising. 

"What I believe education is for is to help inspire interest in young people so that they have at least a roadmap for what they want to do,” he said. “So clubs give students an opportunity to explore those things that they can become passionate about."

Hinson stressed the role of clubs in offering students education beyond the textbook. With 49 active clubs at Grant High School, the decision on how to allocate the $50,000 grant will be entrusted to the associated student body. A former alumni, Hinson said he is eagerly awaiting to see the positive impact the money will have on the high school. 

“We have such a diverse population of students and to be able to provide something that students can build passionate about, feel proud about – that's important to me,” he said. “I think it's events and community partnerships like this that inspire kids to be aggressive in learning and their pursuit of excellence.”

Srishti Prabha is an education reporter and Report For America corps member in collaboration with CapRadio and The Sacramento Observer. Their focus is K-12 education in Sacramento’s Black communities.