Walking into the commons for lunch, students will notice something unusual about the lunch environment. Sitting in a group at the front of the room next to the media center, are diverse student representatives with fresh cookies to donate and Ukrainian flags to color. 

During the ever-growing conflict of Russia’s war on Ukraine, the Activities Called for Equity group, a group made up of students that represent the diverse population at Henry Ford II High School, have decided to do what they can to help the Ford Ukrainian population. 

“They decided as a group to pick a culture to represent in our school community, teach students about that culture, and give back directly to the culture by raising money,” Dr. Koehler, a group advisor and English Language Learners teacher said. 

 The Activities Called for Equity group members were hand selected by Principal Singleton to specifically represent and give identity to the diverse cultures at Ford. They meet about once a month so students are free to bring in their concerns and have conversations directly with school staff regarding cultural representation. 

“They decided as a group to pick a culture to represent in our school community, teach students about that culture, and give back directly to the culture by raising money,” Dr. Koehler, a group advisor and English Language Learners teacher said. 

This month, the students of the Activities Called for Equity group chose to represent the Ukrainian culture, due to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. Students worked together to create posters, crafted a PowerPoint, and planned to sell cookies at lunch. 

“Dr. Koehler told me that her class was going to do a fundraiser for the Ukrainian Students and their families. She asked me if my Uncle could contribute some sweets,”  junior Heitor Caribe said. Caribe’s Uncle’s bakery, Padaria, donated around 200 cookies free of charge for the event. 

The money raised from cookie sales will go to materials for making blankets for Ukrainian students at Ford. Leftover donations will be given to the Ukrainian Immaculate Conception Parish and sent straight to Ukrainian refugees.

In tough times, it is necessary for people to band together to help. The Activities for Equity group at Ford shows how everyone at school can easily come together to support not only their fellow students, but struggling countries around the world. The group will have more events like the cookie sales in the future, so the entire Ford school community can participate again.