Seaside school resource officer organizes peace summit at high school

Students at Seaside High put down the textbooks and packed the school’s gym, Friday. Their new resource officer, David Rice, got them out of class. He said it is for good reason. “What we’re hoping to do is spark conversation with them about the issues at hand, issues within the community, or even outside of our community. We want to really bring back the idea that we are a family,” said Rice.

Students at Seaside High have seen violence on, and off, campus, this year. In February, the school was put on multiple lockdowns after a student, allegedly, fired a gun near campus. Even more recently, administrators said, multiple fights have broke out between students. “To be completely transparent, yes, we have had fights this year. I think many high schools do struggle with that. On the same token, we are looking to get better. We are looking to address not only issues of violence, but also academics, structural racism, and other things,” said Seaside High School Assistant Principal, Andrew Aguiniga.

Those real issues were brought to the table, Friday. Students were given the space to talk about the things they see happening on campus: the good and the bad. Senior, Louis Cruoz, said he felt comfortable opening up to his classmates. “The only thing I want to see happen is that everyone is equal, that everybody is the same, here. We all have the same blood and the only difference is our race,” said Cruoz.

Others spoke up, as well. They told their classmates and teachers about the changes they hope to see happen. “Communicating better. Not that they don’t know how, it’s just, some people think differently and they should put themselves in other people shoes,” said Sophomore, Madison Brown.

It’s that kind of positive communication that Rice hopes students will bring to school, everyday. “The more we keep having those positive engagements and conversations, the more we’re going to become closer,” said Rice.

Rice said he wants to make events like Friday’s Peace Summit happen each quarter.