USC: A CSW Staple

We have lots of names for student groups on CSW’s campus: clubs, committees, alliance groups, affinity groups, coalitions, governing bodies, and more. One such group is our United Students of Color (USC) group, a community of individuals that seemingly transcends labels. USC offers an important affinity space for students of color to come together to discuss their experiences, and it has also become an integral source of allyship on this campus, not just among its membership, but with other clubs and groups.

We have lots of names for student groups on CSW’s campus: clubs, committees, alliance groups, affinity groups, coalitions, governing bodies, and more. One such group is our United Students of Color (USC) group, a community of individuals that seemingly transcends labels. USC offers an important affinity space for students of color to come together to discuss their experiences, and it has also become an integral source of allyship on this campus, not just among its membership, but with other clubs and groups.

Earlier this week I sat down with the USC leadership, and I noticed we kept describing USC as a “staple,” and I think that’s an accurate descriptor. Not only is USC one of our oldest community groups, but it’s also evolved to serve as a highly respected fount of leadership, activism, and connections...

“I think something that we’ve learned about ourselves as leaders,” says USC President Miriam Rodriguez ’19, “is that in order to help our community and to love ourselves, we need to help and support everyone in it — being able to give what we can when we can, whether that’s volunteering at the Boys and Girls Club, or helping a fellow affinity group with an upcoming presentation. We’re constantly trying to reach out and do things that help people.”

This past year, USC has collaborated with fellow affinity groups like Sociedad Latinx and Asian Affinity Club to offer feedback on upcoming assembly presentations. They’ve also made a concerted effort to support their members in their pursuits outside of USC, making posters and signs for the boys basketball team, for example, or attending senior capstone presentations. Their obvious focus is on supporting and being there for their peers of color in the places these students work and play at school. Beyond the CSW community, USC has made ties with local organizations like JVS (Jewish Vocational Service) Boston, an idea that was pitched to the leadership by a member of the group.

“While we are heads of the group, it isn’t a what we say goes situation,’” says Miriam. “It’s an open thing. If people really want to they can take the initiative, because it’s a community and a group. Our job is to allow them that space to grow and generate ideas.”

Sitting down with Saidah ’20, Jazzleigh ’19, and Miriam ’19, and joined later by Nick ’19, was truly an honor for me. The way our students spoke about their work and their vision for USC was impressive. The manner in which they gave tribute to their productive working relationship with their faculty mentors (Marvin, Jermaine, and Nailah) was also very compelling. This is a group of CSW people who will go far — both here at school and out in the world. Thanks for the time to talk, USC!

The Cambridge School of Weston is a progressive high school for day and boarding students in grades 9–12 and PG. CSW's mission is to provide a progressive education that emphasizes deep learning, meaningful relationships, and a dynamic program that inspires students to discover who they are and what their contribution is to their school, their community and the world.