CHS Fame

by francescal-w

Over the next year, an important change is taking place at City High that has some students worried. Fas Trac, a club started to help minority students succeed in school and go to college, will soon be replaced with a new program, FAME.
“I am very excited about this,” City High Vice-Principal Ann Browning said.
The change began with the decision to create a Student Advisory Center for students serving suspensions. Beginning next year, the current Freshman Study Hall will be converted into a place where students who have been given suspensions can receive one-on-one help from an advisor or teacher while they are serving their suspension.
“We need a place where students can go and connect with an adult to teach them how to be successful in school academically and behaviorally,” Browning said.
The problem arose when the decision was made to combine the position currently held by Mr. Harper, Fas Trac advisor, with the new Student Advisory Center Supervisor. Mr. Harper did not apply for this new position, which was a shock for many.
“We were very surprised,” Browning said.
Loyal Fas Trac members were very upset, going so far as to stage a walkout this April, in protest of Mr. Harper leaving City High.
“Fas Trac is an inspiration,” said TC Hamilton, ‘10. “It was meant to bring people together, meant for people who want to accomplish something. Fas Trac is a family within families.”
The goals of Fas Trac will not be leaving City High with Mr. Harper, however, as the organization will expand to include the entire community.
“Fas Trac is going to be an entire community organization outside of school,” said Mr. Harper. “I am happy Fas Trac is still going to be here next year and it will be a big help to push kids in the right direction.”
At City, FAME will fill the void Fas Trac leaves behind. The soon-to-be FAME advisor, Mr. David Brown has spent the last year preparing curriculum for FAME and is excited to recruit club members starting next year.
“It is something that will evolve based on students needs,” Brown said.
FAME has some fundamental differences to Fas Trac.
“FAME has more of an academic focus,” Brown said “However, we don’t see a conflict in a student being in Fas Trac and FAME. They compliment each other.”