Red Mesa High School is a rural public school located on the Navajo reservation. 99% of its students are of American Indian descent, and 95% qualify for free/reduced lunch. Yet despite its homogeneity, school assistant principal Virginia Tsosie notes that “we have a range of beliefs represented that we hope to celebrate and honor through our work as a First Amendment School.”

In particular, Red Mesa plans to strengthen its media programs as a way to encourage students to exercise their voices responsibly. Under the guidance of media teacher Lorie Norton, Red Mesa’s radio station, KRMH, will produce more student pieces, provide more after-school programming, and develop a roster of weekend programs “that are relevant for the Native American population we serve.” Norton also plans to create a mentorship between Red Mesa’s students in print and broadcast media and local professional journalists. “Spending time at these different organizations,” she explained, “must be a part of our students’ experiences if we want them to truly understand how First Amendment principles are practiced and applied in the real world.”

Red Mesa also intends to focus on more cross-curricular planning, restructure its student government, and establish a student court. And it hopes its involvement as a Project School will help foster greater involvement from the larger community. “By becoming a First Amendment School,” said Ms. Tsosie, “we will further our mission of getting more parents and families involved in the life of the school. In the end, what we envision is a school with more parent volunteers and more collaboration with our community and the Navajo Nation.”

Learn more about Red Mesa High School:

• Visit their Web site.

Last updated: Sunday, May 19, 2013 | 16:42:41