Show Racism continues in West Valley schools Terry Dillon editor Co-editor ACADEMY Park Elementary School in fn West Valley City has a problem said Senator Virginia McCall When her young daughter was a student there from 92 1990 sh she was repe repeatedly harassed by other students then students then blamed for the incidents by the schools school's Principal McCall has since relocated d her family to a new townhouse in another area rea Her daughter attends junior high and is doing much better said McCall When con contacted acted by Horizon for her comments on racism at Academy Park Elementary School Principal Bonnie Newman said The racial raci 1 problem belonged to McCalls McCall's daughter I dont don't dont don't think we have a racial problem here at Academy Park The child used bad language so the other children called her names When probed by Horizon about what communication skills were employed to mediate the these e circumstances Newman replied We have no regular set policy enabling us to expel students n who use bad language language so we have to handle it whatever way we think thinks is s best at the time Newman admitted that McCall is a a. a v very ry committed and responsive mother It was McCall who enabled students students' to get a photo with Governor Bill Clinton Clinton and and the chance to jump on his bed bed during his stay at Snowbird last month His body guards let left letus us in We waited around from about 1030 1039 pm p.m. When he finally show showed d up at am a.m. we went downstairs fow ai s sat at the Cliff Lodge to greet gree him she explained The man look looked d good He was really tired but when I yelled Bill How about a picture he said sure sur sure A huge crowd had gathered and we had been pushed further and further back from him But he just parted the water so to speak so we could come up to the front I honestly believe in Clinton's issues Its It's time for p people ople to realize the country is composed of diverse peoples McCall is a student leader with witha a wide array of service ce tp to the college like serving on the committee for Technical Trades of the Automotive Department and being chairperson for fo the sec Business Busi BUSH BUSHness ness Major Students She has already obtained one certificate in Computer Office Occupation and is is' currently working on two degrees Her goal is to earn an MBA from use College in Atlanta and to start her own investment firm Charlotte Starks multicultural affairs director is my mentor mentor and support system She is the one who has has' gotten me into the leadership th thing ng said McCall As a female I wasn't given wasn't-given given blocks to play with I was as given a doll Its It's hard for me to reach over into my right hemisphere so sometimes The important thing is I am here trying trying and and succeeding to to g-to to change things for the bet bet- ter People of color are no longer in the minority you know We are the majority now r q McCall said she would 1 like people to smile at her herand herand and to show respect by being better listeners She said she hopes that her Tier success will be an inspiration inspiration inspiration tion to others The incident incident incident inci inci- dent with her daughter at Academy Park was a matter matter matter mat mat- ter of faulty understanding understanding understanding under under- standing and poor com corn communication communication skills especially with regard to listening and showing showing respect she said We went to a church f across the street from the 0 Y uw school and the very next next day those same children Photo ey Ed ue my daughter went to Sun- Sun Student S Senator Virginia McCall day School with called her names When I 1 spoke to the principal about it she said my daughter provoked it That's not mediation That's blaming the victim McCall said a good example to look to is our own President Budd whom McCall commends for his efforts toward greater diversity diversity and and understanding between n. n students faculty and staff here at the college A. A v aU VW I. I r P was tl w |