6 minute read
Business
Community building and shopping locally
by Victoria Matthews Youth Writer
Last weekend, I had the pleasure of going to the Brentwood Farmers’ Market. There were so many vendors and a plethora of goods to buy. From corn to clothes, the Farmers’ Market has everything.
However, it dawned upon me that this was my first time shopping locally since I had moved to Brentwood. I had never interacted with my community before in that aspect, which leads me to my conclusion, shopping locally is an essential part of improving a town’s community.
There are plenty of significant benefits that come with shopping locally. One of these benefits is essential: stimulating the local economy. By creating new jobs for the citizens of Brentwood via the new job opportunities needed by vendors to operate depending on their number of consumers, the Farmers’ Market matures both Brentwood’s economy as well as the businesses that participate.
Second, it helps cut back on food transportation that uses automobiles, which release harmful chemicals into the air. With a growing need for an environmentally friendly food system, the Farmers’ Market helps the environment by producing less smog as the products and goods grown locally travel shorter distances.
In addition to improving Brentwood’s economic status and keeping it environmentally healthy, shopping locally also brings the community together and allows people within the community to bond. I interviewed multiple different vendors when I visited and noticed how important the community was to them.
When asked, “Is there a reason why you choose to be a vendor at Brentwood Farmers’ Market?” the vendors of Simoni & Massoni Brentwood Sweet Corn answered, “Because we live here, our community is people that we would like to familiarize them with our corn. And it’s been a pleasure for us being here.”
Another vendor from My Love Succulents answered that same question with, “Engaging in the community of the people buying my plants hearing from them how they love it.”
One more vendor mentioned that they had begun their business at the beginning of COVID-19 as an expressive outlet. Being two sisters with backgrounds in design, said, “it’s just about being in the community.” Though they were relatively new to the market, they found the experience enjoyable.
People of all walks of life come to the Farmers’ Market to be a part of their tangible community. Shopping locally is one of the many ways to improve your own personal connection to Brentwood.
Being able to belong to a larger purpose and community feels terrific, and one way to achieve this is to start shopping locally. Shoppers take advantage of the variety of fresh produce available recently at Simoni & Massoni Brentwood Sweet Corn stand at the Brentwood Farmers’ Market.
Photo by Victoria Matthews
LHUSD’s Volta discusses new school year
by Alyana Santillana Youth writer
The 2020-2021 school year saw unprecedented challenges for students and administrators alike at the Liberty Union High School District. From distance learning, to the transition, to the hybrid model, very little normalcy was present. However, district staff continued to work tirelessly for their students, despite the overwhelming uncertainty throughout the year.
“I’d give the school year, in general, a two, but the work that we did, to make the best out of this school year was at 9.5. I think that we made the best out of, not a great school year, and I am proud of what Team LUHSD has done,” said LHUSD Superintendent Eric Volta.
COVID-19 restrictions have prevented many school events from occurring, but through “thoughtful conversation,” students have been able to experience modified versions of their beloved extracurriculars.
“We managed to fit three seasons of sports into one. We were able to hold other extracurricular activities within the blueprints whether it was a senior only rally, or a senior event where they had to go around to different pods. The schools did a phenomenal job trying to give some semblance of normalcy during a time where we couldn’t meet together,” explained Volta.
With vaccine distribution at a high and COVID-19 cases dropping, schools are set to receive guidance regarding large gatherings very soon. “I don’t know what the differences will be in terms of masks and distance when it comes to mega events and large congregations, so we’ll see how it plays out, but I can’t say what it’s going to look like definitively right now,” said Volta, anticipating further instruction to come in July.
After overcoming many obstacles throughout the past year, the LUHSD staff is proven to have the students’ best interests at heart. Whether it be weekly meetings with each site principal or tackling logistics with upcoming walkthroughs and orientations, the district remains hard at work for its students.
With the school year fast approaching, the district is determined to return to normalcy.
GenUP amplifying the voices of students
by Aisling Bonal Youth Writer
As students prepare to re-enter the classroom this month, a select few are taking strides to ensure the classroom still serves the needs of our students. GenUP, a California based organization focused on student advocacy, recently found a home in Brentwood thanks to the chapter’s founder, Odera Nwosu.
Along with his Co-President Alana Chicaine, Nwosu has led the young chapter in drafting a Student Bill of Rights. Highlights of the bill include guaranteeing an equitable education for all students as well as emphasizing the importance of providing mental health resources in schools.
After a year of virtual instruction, a new light has been shed on mental health. Many students face anxiety at the idea of returning to a boisterous, full campus, which is why GenUP’s itinerary for the upcoming year is vital.
With hopes of their goals being more attainable due to the campuses fostering opportunities for growth, GenUP plans to turn an unlucky year into an opportunity for improvement in student-administration relationships.
When asked what changes they hope to see in the new school year, Chicaine mentioned hopes of seeing “a change in how data is collected” and specifically, “not diluting the voices of students.” She went on to discuss how much of the data received is from parents or guardians, not the actual students. Their new incentive hopes to improve upon the issue of our students’ declining mental health- a matter only the students themselves can speak on. Furthermore, Nwosu elaborated upon their goal of passing SP14, a bill which would allow more excusable mental health days. Far too many students feel the need to stifle their emotions out of fear of their number of absences increasing. However, with this bill, students can take a day to recuperate when needed and ensure they feel their best each time they step onto campus.
Thanks to its stellar leadership, the Liberty Union High School chapter of GenUP has already advocated for local students despite how young the organization is.
Nwosu accredits much of his chapter’s success to his sophomore year English teacher, Cynthia Simpson, who “reminded him of the importance of his voice.” Nwosu took these words of encouragement and implemented them in his chapter of GenUP as he, alongside Chicaine, persistently advocate for their peers’ voices.
