WAES Urban-Rural Exchange Program: First Leg

White Lake Students spent the day attending classes at Riverside University High School with their Milwaukee hosts. Kelsea Gallagher and Monique Gardner tutored younger students in a crowded study hall. Photo by Susan Ruggles.

White Lake students and their hosts met with student council leaders for a "Talkback" 10th period class, where they discussed school funding and compared their experiences of the past two days. Photo by Susan Ruggles.

Kelly Eisenman explained that because of the school-funding system, White Lake's small school can't provide classes they need, such as music, sports, and special education. She said the public and parents need to know what's going on. "We need to bring them into schools to see because they're not listening to kids," she told the class. Photo by Susan Ruggles.

ShaRhaina Brown explained that because of the school-funding system, Milwaukee's schools are overcrowded, leaving no time to talk to teachers and no space to sit down. "We want to learn. We want to make something of ourselves," she said. "A lot of people say the children are our future. Well, invest in us." Photo by Susan Ruggles.

Lenzy Crawford, Rochelle Walls, and Adam Tangle shared in the candid reflections from White Lake students. Milwaukee students thought the rural students would be quiet and aloof—and have nothing in common with them, but they learned the opposite to be true and found it surprising and "refreshing." Photo by Susan Ruggles.

Kelsea Gallagher offered her impressions of Riverside University High School. It's "like a normal school, but a million times bigger," she said. "White Lake has one hallway." She initially expected the urban school to be rife with danger, but instead found it neat to see students from different backgrounds working together. Photo by Susan Ruggles.

Ana Maria Velazquez said that inadequate school funding leaves Milwaukee students with no books to take home or projectors in class and so few teachers that students can't ask for help when they don't understand material. She told her classmates that students need to vote and go to rallies. "Politicians are using our money," she said, and students need to make sure they are using it "to improve education, so students can accelerate and live their dreams." Photo by Susan Ruggles.

Monique Gardner was frustrated that Milwaukee students have to pay fees and fundraise to maintain basic programs like music. She was relieved that White Lake students could understand their situation. White Lake student Serena Williams echoed Monique's frustration. "We all have the same views. We're all fighting for schools and no one's listening," she said. "You don't make one school better without another school. Every child needs a good education, and education needs money." Photo by Susan Ruggles.

Milwaukee and White Lake students socialized after the Talkback 10th period class. Happy with their experiences from the first leg of their exchange and still learning about each other, they were already looking forward to the second leg in White Lake in April. Photo by Susan Ruggles.