A place for inclusion: BVH’s M.E.Ch.A club

Eliza Noblejas, Features Copy Editor|September 29, 2022

Antoinette Gilbert

The officers of the M.E.Ch.A club talk to each other about presentations. They discuss potential formats for next meeting.

Between the 200’s and 300’s buildings of Bonita Vista High (BVH), students pass by the open door of room 211, where the officers of the Movimiento Estudiantil Chicanx de Aztlán (M.E.Ch.A) Club eagerly organize their plans for their next lunch meeting. 

The club revolves around inspiring its members to gain more knowledge and learn about the elements of Chicano culture. Chicano culture is more broadly defined as people of Mexican descent born in the United States who identify more with Mexican mestizo heritage than Spanish roots. M.E.Ch.A Club President and junior Erica Palacios has been one of the main advocates for the club. Although she has only been a part of M.E.Ch.A since the 2021-2022 school year, she explains that having prior knowledge and inspiration from her close adult figures has allowed Palacios to feel passionate about Chicano culture.

“My dad was actually M.E.Ch.A president when he was in high school, so it was nice because I know myself as a Chicano. I’ve faced a lot of problems that relate [to people of Chicano culture],” Palacios said. “I want to shed light on them and I want to be able to talk about these problems in a safe environment and then spread light on the history and how it’s evolved over time.” 

In order for Palacios to achieve this goal, she has taken on the important role of being responsible for hosting all club meetings. Essentially, she’s in charge of creating fun, engaging and educational lesson plans for most Thursday meetings. 

“We’re working on making Google Forms and next meeting we’re gonna get to know everyone. From there, we’re gonna make fun little activities,” Palacios said. 

She meets with fellow club officers to design bonding activities and presentations for members. This way, club members can become acquainted with certain people that created an impact on Chicano Culture and allow the members to intake more with this information. For example, club officers are planning on educating members about Luis Valdez, a famous and influential screenplay writer in the Chicano community.

International Baccalaureate (IB) History of the Americas teacher and M.E.Ch.A club advisor Jose Vallejo creates an inclusive environment for students in M.E.Ch.A. As the club isn’t well known within the school, Vallejo explains how important it is for BVH students to know what M.E.Ch.A offers. 

“It’s to bring social and cultural historical issues that have to do with the Mexican American community; it is not an exclusive club. Everyone is welcome to the meetings and everyone is encouraged to join the club,” Vallejo said.

M.E.Ch.A Club Vice President and junior Sebastian Higuera enjoys participating in the club because of the acknowledgment M.E.Ch.A give to Chicano culture. After joining, he describes how much significance this club has, especially to him as a person. 

“My entire family’s Mexican, but I was born here. So, I’ve always felt like there’s been some kind of disconnect from true Mexican culture. I feel like this club helps me be more in touch with that,” Higuera said.

Higuera highly encourages students at BVH to join M.E.Ch.A Club because of BVH’s high demographic of Hispanic students. As the demographic is very high in numbers, many of the students at school could connect through the Chicano culture in a central, safe place. 

“Everyone can relate to something and you don’t have to be in the demographic to be a part [of the club]. It’s a good club to join to learn,” Higuera said. 

Because many of the members are fairly new to the club, the whole process of becoming an officer has been quick. M.E.Ch.A Club Co-Secretary and junior Camila Luna offers her insight into the club.

“I actually went to Mr. Vallejo’s class for an interview. I was going to interview him for my IB English class and I walked into a meeting. It was a very inclusive space for Latino students. They empower students and it’s a safe space for students,” Luna said.

The M.E.Ch.A Club, although currently under-showcased, is a well-inclusive club that hasn’t gotten enough exposure throughout the BVH community. Ultimately, through the inclusive environment and rich teachings of Chicano culture, the club allows BVH students to find a second home at school and hopes to accumulate appreciation and curiosity from other students at BVH for their culture as well.

“It’s really important to shed light on the problems and issues that Chicano history has had [and] you meet a lot of great people and it’s really fun,” Palacios said.