NEWS

Freedom School Scholars lead group chant. (News of Davidson photo by Lyn Batty)

On a hot and sunny Wednesday afternoon, a large group of enthusiastic students rallied around the steps of the Davidson Library. A crowd of observers spilled out onto the Town Green.

The students were a group of approximately 50 local scholars in grades K-8 who have been participating in the Brenda H. Tapia Children's Defense Fund (CDF) Freedom School for six weeks this summer. On Wednesday, they were there to speak publicly to the issue of youth mental health. Their rally was student-led, featuring speeches written and presented by the students themselves. Their words, their cheers, and their infectious chants spoke to the power of civic engagement and social action driven by our youngest citizens.

Hunter Brooks, Davidson College Servant Leader Intern, holding the microphone as a Freedom School Scholar addresses the crowd (News of Davidson photo by Lyn Batty)

Behind a banner that read “Mental Health Matters,” students approached the microphone stand with their prepared remarks in hand and faced the crowd. They spoke from experience, and from the heart, about the importance of paying attention to youth mental health.

“When I have big feelings, I need someone to talk to,” said one student.

“Social media is negatively affecting us,” explained another.

The students led chants, allowing for crowd participation. “Listen close. Hear our plea. Mental Health includes you and me!”

Other speakers detailed the reduction in the number of school counselors, a casualty of schools having to do more with less. School counselors are spread too thin, they said, trying to provide critical support for students experiencing anxiety, trauma, grief, and depression. They explained that having just one trusted adult to talk to can make a critical difference in a child’s life.

“Students need someone who will listen without judgment.”

“This is not a luxury.”

Rosa Ramirez, Assistant Director for Civic Engagement and Freedom Schools, said so many of the Freedom School scholars signed up to speak, they had to limit the number because the program was only scheduled to run for an hour.

Ramirez leads a team of six Davidson College students who are employed as servant leader interns for the Brenda H. Tapia CDF Freedom School this summer. The Freedom Schools program was developed nationally by the Children's Defense Fund (CDF).

The late Rev. Brenda Howard Tapia in a conversation at the Ada Jenkins Center. (Jane Campbell photo)

Davidson’s Freedom School is hosted at Ada Jenkins and is named after noted Davidson educator and creator of the Love of Learning program, Brenda Tapia. Freedom Schools provide summer enrichment experiences and foster a love of reading, increased self-esteem, and positive attitudes towards learning.

The youth mental health rally was attended by Town Commissioners Tracy Mattison Brandon and Connie Wessner. They congratulated the scholars after the event on their public speaking skills and leadership. David Andres, Davidson Police’s Community Engagement Officer, also attended, listening to the speeches and participating in the chants.

Charlitta Hatch, Charlotte-Mecklenburg School Board representative for District 1, spoke plainly and directly to the young people in response to the concerns they voiced about youth mental health. She gave them a brief explanation of the work of the School Board and wanted them to know that they can reach out to her to say what is on their mind and what is happening in their schools, good or bad. Hatch engaged the scholars in a short Q&A. They were frank and honest with her about high-stakes testing. “Those tests stress all of the students out!” said one. “The tests are too long!” said another.

Charlitta Hatch, CMS School Board member, speaks to Freedom School Scholars (News of Davidson photo by Lyn Batty)

Charlotte City Councilmember JD Mazuera Arias spoke at the rally in support of the importance of youth mental health. Mazuera Arias, who grew up in east Charlotte, is the first Generation Z Charlotte city council member and first person of Latino descent elected to the panel. He spoke from his experience as an immigrant and as a student growing up in CMS schools.

Mazuera Arias spoke of the power of kindness and stressed the importance of being strong enough to ask for help. He said that he has learned that "the hardest things that people have to carry are invisible.” He said that “young people often see things that adults don’t.”

He told the scholars that they didn’t have to wait until they were an adult or had a job to be a leader. “You are a leader when you make someone else feel like they belong.”

Every Freedom School scholar played a part in the rally. Some led cheers and chants. Many of the scholars had created large posters with slogans to hold up during the rally. A group of scholars walked through the crowd, handing out informational flyers to everyone in attendance, encouraging them to support the STRONG Support for Children Act, a bill that would fund community based, trauma-informed efforts to support children and families. The bill, H.R.3792, focuses on preventing childhood trauma and improving long term outcomes.