GHS Student Clubs: Year in Review

Germantown High School is home to many clubs that promote inclusion and equity in the high school and beyond, and these clubs have been able to create a great space in the high school. They have also been able to take their learning outside the classroom, with the help of the GCC! This year MESA, ACE, and SAGE have all been able to explore inclusion in the real world, and this was made more accessible by the generous donations of the GCC board and members. Thank you all for your help in making this school year one to remember, and see you next year!

-Meghan, GCC Student Representative

Multi-Ethnic Student Association (MESA)

On January 29, 2025, MESA went on a field trip to America’s Black Holocaust Museum in Milwaukee. They received a great tour from the docents.

When asked what they learned about, students said:

• Dr. James Cameron, who was a survivor of an attempted lynching

• Vel Phillips, who accomplished many "firsts" as a black woman and was a prominent figure in the community

• The resistance of the Black community to harsh conditions

• The extreme acts of oppression that aren't taught in our history classes

• The indoctrination white children received from white supremacists to continue the cycle of hate

Afterwards, students visited a black-owned business called “Lily Bells is Fine Dining” to pick up soul food for dinner. They brought the food back to the high school and enjoyed time together reflecting on the experience. The food was delicious and they had so much fun!

This field trip was a great celebration of learning and progress. To end the year, high school MESA members worked with the middle school MESA advisors for an end-of-year potluck.

Asian Cultural Exchange (ACE)

Twenty-five ACE members had the opportunity to tour three floors of exhibits at the Milwaukee Public Museum. Despite the Asian exhibit being closed during the trip, ACE members still made the most of their experience. ACE members visited Africa, Europe, the Arctic, South and Middle America, old Milwaukee, Costa Rica, and various other themed locations. ACE members enjoyed learning new aspects of different cultures in a hands-on way. The ACE field trip was not only fun, but also educational.

ACE would like to thank Ms. Bauer, GCC member Ms. Pie, and Ms. Moua for chaperoning the trip. All three chaperones dedicated five hours out of their busy lives to help ACE’s field trip happen.

Furthermore, ACE extends its gratitude to the GCC for its generous donation of $200. Thanks to the GCC, each ACE member only had to pay $11 to attend the trip. Initial cost estimates would have had ACE members pay $15-$20 each.

Lastly, ACE thanks all its members who participated in the trip. ACE hopes this trip will pave the way for many more educational opportunities for its members!

Sexual And Gender Equality (SAGE)

On April 28, 2025, SAGE student members, chaperones, and club advisor Mr. Plaski attended a screening at the 2025 Milwaukee Film Festival, thanks to funds donated by members of Germantown and the GCC. After stopping by the outdoor art gallery Black Cat Alley, students entered the historic Oriental Theater and watched Fine Young Men, a Mexican coming-of-age drama by Alejandro Andrade showing in both the Cine Sin Fronteras (Latinx) and GenreQueer (LGBTQ+) programs. Lots of 5/5 ratings were given, and the whole group had an excellent discussion on their way back to GHS about the film's conflicts and themes surrounding class, gender, toxic masculinity, adolescence, and queer relationships and representation.