A Stratford High student club has helped the high school campus earn designation as a No Place for Hate® school by the Anti-Defamation League’s Southwest Region. Students in the Friends of Rachel club led efforts to stamp out prejudice and bias of all kinds at the high school. To earn the ADL-sponsored designation, a Resolution of Respect was signed by students and at least three anti-bias activities were conducted on campus and documented.
Activities held at Stratford High, 14555 Fern, included a talk by Holocaust survivor Walter Kase, an original video about the origins of prejudice and hatred that was written and directed by Eagle Scout and junior Andy Palmer, and a Rachel’s Challenge presentation to students. Rachel’s Challenge was founded by the family of Rachel Scott, the first student at Columbine High School to be shot and killed during that Colorado high school's tragic shootings. The program promotes understanding and focuses on positive role models.
Stratford High Principal Chris Juntti and Friends of Rachel club students were presented the No Place for Hate® school banner by the ADL’s Amber McCarthy. In addition to Stratford High, the designation has been awarded to numerous Spring Branch ISD campuses, including Buffalo Creek, Housman, Meadow Wood, Nottingham, Pine Shadows, Rummel Creek, Sherwood, Terrace, Treasure Forest and Valley Oaks elementary schools. Secondary schools earning the title have included Westchester Academy, Spring Woods High, Spring Forest Middle and Spring Branch School of Choice.
So far, about 70 campuses across the Houston region have embraced the popular program since it began in 2001, the ADL reports. Photo by Stratford High's Christina Bettencourt.