- Pound Ridge Elementary
- Homepage
Fox Lane Anti-Racist Environment Works to Create Lasting Change
“Be the change you wish to see in the world” is a quote attributed to Gandhi and often repeated during times of self-examination and evolution.
That is exactly what Fox Lane High School students aim to do with Fox Lane Anti-Racist Environment (FLARE). FLARE is a diverse, student-led group that holds open discussions to educate, inspire action and create lasting change toward its goal of equity in the Bedford Central School District.
“Our hope is for this organization to grow into an important part of Fox Lane High School that brings our student body together to embrace diversity,” said Jazmin Lamadrid, one of the group’s communications officers. “Our current focus is geared towards curriculum. We hope to incorporate diverse viewpoints in both history and English classes in order to establish a more respectful and inclusive environment at Fox Lane. We will do this by facilitating conversation among students and staff to reach common ground.”
FLARE was born last summer when rising junior Ellie Crummy and rising senior Will Krasnow (who both serve as student representatives to the Board of Education) wanted to start a student group that could safely discuss current events and race within school.
“It all started when Ellie and Will reached out to Dr. Miller and compiled a list of students who had demonstrated their support toward creating change within Fox Lane High School’s approach towards social injustice,” said Sofia Garcia, also a FLARE communications officer. “It didn’t take long for the number of interested students to rise and come together to form the group we are today.”
With about 20 members and gaining, FLARE is now an off-shoot of student government and a student-based directive of the Board, reporting to the Student Achievement Advisory Committee monthly.
Actively seeking new members, FLARE considers itself an open space.
“Every student is welcome to participate in, and be a part of, the movement to help foster a stronger sense of trust within our growing community,” Sofia said. “We hope our peers will come to regard FLARE as a safe space to voice their concerns about specific practices regarding race as well as contribute new ideas to help improve our community.”
According to Student Achievement Advisory Committee liaisons Jessica Cambareri, Beth Staropoli and Alexandra White, the Board is incredibly proud of the district’s student leaders.
“A group like FLARE is important because one of our core district values is ‘students first.’ Student voices should be at the center of everything we do,” they said. “There is nothing more rewarding than seeing students driven to learn, build community and develop themselves as the future leaders of the world they are inheriting.”
FLARE is certainly looking toward the future.
“We hope to lead Fox Lane High School into a new era of equality, equity, and justice for all through open discussion, education, and action,” Jazmin said. “We aim for every student to feel safe and welcome when they arrive at Fox Lane as well as be better informed and have a broader worldview by the time they graduate.”