Native plants
thank you judy
editor says farewell
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A NATIONAL PACEMAKER AWARD NEWSPAPER
Tuesday, May 2, 2023
VOL. 33, No. 8
‘There’s so much more to your story’ Grad speaker, Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society president hopes to treat sickness worldwide
This year’s graduation speaker, Leylan Kazi, poses in front of the Student Center.
PAULA FARMER | THE WASHTENAW VOICE
By Willow Symonds Staff Writer
An honor society’s leader should ideally feel comfortable presenting before an audience. Luckily, 17-year-old WTMC student Leylan Kazi is the rare person who enjoys public speaking. “I like to see if I can make an impact on anyone with the words I’m speaking,” she said. Even before she had the qualifications to be a Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society member, Kazi was “super involved and enthusiastic, [and] always leading the meetings,” according to the organization’s adviser, Veronica Capraru. These qualities made Kazi a good candidate for becoming Phi Theta Kappa’s
president this school year. “I watched her develop as a leader throughout the years,” Capruaru said. “Especially at an age where not a lot of students see themselves as leaders, she really sets an example and thrives.” Due to Kazi’s love for public speaking and her “phenomenal” work in Phi Theta Kappa, Capraru encouraged her to apply to try out as this year’s commencement speak-
er. Kazi felt unsure at first, but once she agreed, she wrote a sample speech about students’ point of view during these unusual last few years. When auditioning, however, she had no voice. “I’d recently gotten over being sick, so … I think that showed [the judges], ‘Wow, she can loudly whisper and present a speech nicely,’” Kazi joked. “I think I was chosen because I had a way with my
words … and I really connected with how students feel.” Kazi attended Huron High School her freshman year, but she wanted a “smaller environment” with fewer students per class. While she still rows for Huron’s crew team, she enrolled at WTMC three years ago and has taken college classes since Winter 2021. This was when she realized how much she loves biology and chemistry, especially in her lab classes. On May 20, 2023, Kazi will graduate with both a high school diploma and an associate degree in General Math and Science. She worked as a Student Ambassador her sophomore and junior years, this being her first job, though she didn’t know she got paid until after starting. She’s also a recipient of STEM Scholars, where she often sought advice from WCC’s Dean of Science, Math, Engineering, Technology, Tracy Schwab. “Always seek out mentors because you’re always going to learn from others,” Kazi said. One of her STEM idols is William Foege, a former CDC (Center for Disease Control) director and epidemiologist who was instrumental in eradicating smallpox. In January 2022, Kazi – then the Vice President of Finance and Funding – personally invited Foege to speak to the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. This semester, Kazi would ride in the car with her mom, listening to Foege’s speeches for inspiration on her commencement speech. She also explained to the Voice how disenfranchised places,
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PAULA FARMER | THE WASHTENAW VOICE
The panel of environmental leaders discusses social issues.
U-M hosts talk with environmentalists by Grace Crandall
Staff Writer
The University of Michigan held a panel called “Justice in Focus,” on April 13 as part of this year’s Earth Day celebrations. Hosted by the U-M Tishman Center for Social Justice and Environment at the School for Environment and Sustainability, the panel was moderated by Nayyirah Shariff, co-founder of the Flint Democracy Defense League. The panel featured three environmental leaders, each of whom has worked at the center of various environmental advocacy movements. The event was held in the
PAULA FARMER
isaac sevier discusses the enviroment.
Rackham Graduate School Auditorium, with about 50 people in attendance. The discussion focused on the social and environmental changes since the pandemic, especially changes regarding social justice movements. Shariff began the conversation by reflecting on how the death of George Floyd created greater social networks, and asked the panelists what they learned about collective power. “Covid was a great elucidator,” said Anthony RogersWright, director of environmental justice for the New York Lawyers for Public Interest. “It showed us all the systems not working. Movements cannot be ephemeral.” “This was a time of contradiction,” agreed isaac sevier (they do not capitalize the initial letters of their name), the founder and co-director of People’s Utility Commons in California. “Cash assistance lifted the poverty level. But it was short-lived.” Maria Lopez-Nunez, deputy director of advocacy
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County to give more money to social service organizations by Robin Wyllie-Scholz
Deputy Editor
Fourteen organizations that provide support for people who are struggling in Washtenaw County are getting a combined $1.5 million in the next two years, thanks to a proposal approved by the Board of Commissioners in early April. The proposal was raised to reinstate county funding that the groups lost after the New Human Services Partnership replaced Washtenaw Coordinated Funders in 2022, which changed the organizations that were receiving county funds. One such organization is Alpha House, who had been getting roughly 100k prior to the NHSP. When that funding went away they had to scramble for help from the community, according to Shonagh Taruza, Alpha House’s executive director. This new proposal will hopefully alleviate some of their financial struggles. Alpha House is set to receive $107,250 in 2023 and again in 2024.
“The relief that I felt, I was almost in tears… it took us out of that survival mode,” said Taruza. Though the proposal is good news for the organizations receiving the funding, it isn’t a perfect fix. For starters, the county has not yet communicated directly with the organizations impacted, according to Christine Watson, executive director of SafeHouse. SafeHouse is set to receive $93,972 in both 2023 and 2024, but they don’t yet know any details, according to Watson. “We have yet to receive any official confirmation,” Watson said. Both Watson and Taruza emphasized the importance of finding a more long-term solution to the housing crisis. “There’s an urgent need for more family shelter space,” Taruza said. Housing is a pressing issue in Washtenaw County. There were 448 people experiencing homelessness in December of 2022, according to the Washtenaw Continuum of Care.
Organizations like Alpha House and SafeHouse are trying to combat that. Alpha House has an emergency shelter, and also helps people find long-term housing. SafeHouse is focused on helping survivors of domestic violence via an emergency shelter and other resources like their 24/7 helpline.
For people that don’t have time to get directly involved, there’s still ways to help. “The best thing that the younger generation can do is stay informed,” said Taruza. Being informed and spreading awareness helps these organizations reach as many people as possible. “I just want people to
know that we’re here, that we’re open, and that we’re available to support [them],” said Watson. While the proposal should alleviate some of SafeHouse’s immediate concerns, they know it won’t last forever. “It’s a two-year funding– then what?” said Watson. Both Watson and Taruza
feel that the proposal is a good start, but a permanent solution is needed. “There’s a wealth of resources in Washtenaw County– let’s figure out how to use them better so we don’t have people experiencing homelessness, especially families and children,” said Taruza.
‘There’s an urgent need for more family shelter space.’ -Shonagh Taruza One struggle that Watson hopes the proposed money will alleviate is their lack of staff. Lately they’ve been operating with a 50% reduced workforce. “We’re trying to minimize the impact to survivors… we’re doing the best we can,” said Watson. They are open to volunteers as well as paid employees. “Reach out! We don’t require a certain degree,” said Watson.
PAULA FARMER | THE WASHTENAW VOICE
SafeHouse is one of 14 organizations to receive county funds from this proposal.