Psych

2006 started a new beginning here at West High School. SSIKE, now known as SSIKED, was created and has now been successfully running for nine years.

Ms. Maria Martin, the 9th and 10th grade academic dean, is part of the founding staff and is currently the adviser of SSIKED.

SSIKED stands for Successful Students Inspired through Knowledge Education and Diversity. According to Ms. Martin, people quite often think that SSIKED is for certain nationalities, but it is open to anyone who is willing to learn about diversity.

“SSIKED is a place where you can learn to identify,” Martin said . During the course of the year, SSIKED in many different events. SSIKED does some fundraising because for the lasst four years they have not been funded.There are five major events that SSIKED is involved in: Latino History Competition, Diversity Dinner, Winter Clothing Drive, Black History Competition, and Recognition Night. This year, SSIKED is taking part in sponsoring the Martin Luther King Jr. keynote speaker, Michael Hill.

Co- president of SSIKED Hiba Ibrahim ’16 likes Diversity Dinner the most, “because there is food and the whole school can be involved.”

An upcoming event is the Winter Clothing Drive where SSIKED will collect winter clothing from Nov. 16-24 to donate to the Domestic Violence Intervention Project, United Action for Youth, and the Shelter House.There will be boxes in some teachers classrooms where winter clothing can be put so that it can be donated.

Antonio Clipperton ‘17 is currently vice president of SSIKED. “I love the great atmosphere and the positive energy that everyone has,” said Clipperton. Although SSIKED has a lot of fun, it tackles a variety of topics.

Nada Ibrahim ‘16, co president of SSIKED knows what she wants people to get out of SSIKED. “I want to broaden people’s minds in perspective of diversity for the future,” she said.

For more photos from Diversity Dinner click here.