Students working to make a difference
By Karen Kistler, Mooresville Tribune
kkistler@mooresvilletribune.com
Darfur, a region in Sudan, the largest country in Africa, is a primary focus of one group of students at Mooresville and Lake Norman high schools.
The conflict going on in Darfur between the government forces and its allied Janjaweed militia and rebel forces has caught the attention of students, and STAND: A Student Anti-Genocide Coalition clubs at the schools; want to make a difference in the lives of those suffering from the atrocities of genocide.
Colleen Jose, founding president of the club at Lake Norman High, first learned of the national organization two years ago when she saw Ryan Gosling wearing a shirt with Darfur on it. She was “moved to learn what genocide was about. She wanted to help and never look back.”
A senior at Lake Norman High, Colleen shared that through her broadcasting class, she was able to get the word out along with the help of her teacher Victoria Schmidt. Colleen began selling t-shirts and bracelets making others aware of the need to save Darfur. Her teacher encouraged her by telling her it would be possible to start a club, so colleen decided to take the initiative and see the response to an organization of this kind in the school.
Thinking it would be only herself and a few friends attending this first meeting, Colleen noted that she was very exited when she walked into the room to see 50 students ready to help the cause. Advisors at the school include Gregory Keys and Schmidt. They meet each Wednesday.
Zach Peirce, a sophomore at Mooresville High School, wanted to help others in some way. He spoke with Colleen who encouraged him to get on the computer and do some research where he found the website standnow.org. Seeing the site about the Darfur Situation, He knew he “had to get involved.” Several teachers serve as advisors at Mooresville including Steve Stith who is head advisor, Heather Hahn who serves on political advisor, Shelly Paterson, fundraising advisor and Sherard Pearce. Mooresville’s club meets on Mondays.
The STAND organizations in both schools continue to grow with fundraisers held to go save Darfur. Many hours of work go into this effort, both Colleen and Zach said. In addition to weekly meetings, which are 1½ hour or longer, the two put in at least four more hours of work each week on this effort.
However, Zach noted, “I don’t shut my brain off. I’m constantly thinking and planning.” And Colleen echoed the sentiment. But, all the work will be worth it Zach noted “if I can protect an innocent life.”
The students are working to make a difference.
Zach shared he wants to “Open people’s eyes to what’s going on, not just here in Mooresville, but all over, [and] change the way people view genocide. Many don’t even know it is happening.”
“I want to raise awareness and instill compassion in others so they see they aren’t th e center of the universe,” Colleen stated. A favorite of hers comes from Ghandi who said to “be the change you wish to see in the world. The first drop precedes the waterfall. It takes one person to make a difference,” she continued.
The Mooresville and Lake Norman STAND chapters are only rivals on paper. When the two clubs team up they are more powerful and can accomplish more for the Darfur cause.
When together, they are called Central Piedmont STAND, and they are planning a huge event called DarfurFest on April 11th at the Brawley mansion. During the festival, there will be 3-4 bands that will play with the funds that are raised going to the Genocide Intervention Network Civilian Protection Fund which provides protection to the displaced peoples of Darfur.
To date there are 1000 STAND chapters nationwide, which were begun by college students. These college students serve as advisors to other STAND chapters. Both Colleen and Zach envision them selves through their college years and being advisors to help others.
The conflict between the government forces and the rebel groups began in 2003 and to date have caused the death of 450,000, the displacement of 2.5 million people and four million are dependent on food.
To help people better understand these numbers, Zach and Colleen noted, “the number of deaths equal the population of New Orleans before Katrina, and the Number of displaced people equals the population of Kansas.”
Once they saw the need, the pair STAND groups are working hard to help and get the word out. When asked by others why they are helping Darfur, both Colleen and Zach state these people “have nowhere to go. You can’t ignore it.”
Originally Published in the Mooresville Tribune on Wednesday, December 5, 2007