What are affinity groups?
What purpose do affinity groups in high school serve?
Affinity clubs at Midland deepen a stronger sense of belonging for students from diverse ethnicities and identities in our community. Holding space for one another and connecting among peers with similar backgrounds, lived experiences, and interests enables students to feel seen, validated and cared for. Affinity groups serve as a home base where members can speak from the “I” perspective without having to explain themselves to folks in the room and get the support they need. So, too, affinity clubs are a hub for support, activism, education, and a celebration of ethnic and cultural pride.
Affinity groups generally have an organizational structure (chair, co-chairs, secretary, events and activities committees, etc.), and through that structure, students learn different skills to execute their goals and objectives. This helps build leadership skills for students. For instance, they learn how to run a meeting, keep meeting notes, draft proposals to acquire funding for their activities, public speaking, and utilize the organizational flow chart to meet their needs. Being part of an affinity group allows students to develop agency, student leadership, and advocacy skills to benefit their current and future counterparts.
How is student leadership built?
Midland's Junior Leadership Program
At Midland, all students undergo an organic and intentional regimen of leadership training in various parts of our programs, such as the jobs program, outdoor leadership, student government, experiential education, sports, and activities. The skills acquired are transferred into all other student engagement activities, such as affinity and interest groups.
Formal leadership training begins during the spring of Junior year in a seminar course with all Juniors, the Head of School, the Dean of Students, and other faculty. Students learn and practice explicit models of communication, feedback, and conflict resolution. This training supports Midland students not only as they move into their responsibilities as Seniors but also within their affinity groups.
Black Student Union (BSA)
The Black Student Alliance (BSA) provides a sense of belonging and connection among its members. BSA has been proactive in advocacy to ensure that policies and procedures are anti-biased and that the black experience is equitably represented in Midland’s interworkings and curriculum. Though it is not BSA’s responsibility to bring discrepancies to the administration’s attention or to educate the community, they do contribute meaningfully to the dialogue and work of creating an equitable environment.
BSA members play a key role in planning the celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day in conjunction with faculty and a diverse group of students. The honoring of MLK Day includes activities such as a weekend of conference-style workshops on issues of equity and justice, film festivals, and presentations by guest speakers on pertinent race, gender, and discrimination issues.
LatinX
The Latinx club comprises students from diverse backgrounds, including Mexican, Honduran, Latin-bi-racial, and multi-racial legacies. Members generally celebrate and share cultural similarities centered on food, music, and cultural celebrations. The Latinx group is known for sponsoring dances, sharing cultural foods and desserts with the community, and celebrating important dates like Día de los Muertos and Cinco de Mayo. In general, Latinx serves as a hub for cultural and identity pride and an entity that shares awareness and education on the Latinx experience in the United States.
Can students start a new affinity group or club?
At Midland, any student can start an affinity group or interest club as long as it is open to all members of the community who can speak from the “I” perspective and welcome allies when appropriate. Some of the current interest clubs include, but are not limited to: photography, environmental issues, beekeeping, cultural sharing, tea, window glazing club, Common Ground (volunteering), and paleontology club.
Midland encourages student-led clubs because we see the value in students coming up with ideas, coordinating, collaborating with others, and implementing them. This is a tangible way to develop voice, agency, and keen leadership skills.
José Juan Ibarra ’87, Dean of Students & Athletics Director