“We want our message to be heard.” Students make their voices heard in early-morning protest

On Tuesday morning, in the frigid fall temperatures, before some in the Borough were fully awake, a group of nearly 30 students banded together to protest the Matanuska Susitna Borough School District (MSBSD) school board, specifically decisions to policy changes that have made over the past year.

“We’re here to make sure that student voices are actually heard. Students need to educate themselves and be more involved in politics in general, no matter what their opinions are,” says Aspen Kelly, a student at Colony High School.

The event was organized by Alaska Student Voice, a student-led group that has formed early in the school year after the school board removed the Student Advisory Board Representative position from the dais, changed the public commenting period to a “lottery system,” and removed libraries as ‘safe spaces’ in schools, to name a few.

When asked why they were willing to wake up early and come out and protest, the nearly 30 students from several local high schools at the event were united in their responses, saying that they don’t feel their voices are being heard, they are listening, and that while not all of them are able to vote yet, they are paying attention to decisions being made that affect them.

“This was also a good way to get the conversations going between students and their parents, not just for the here and now, but also with an eye towards the future,” said Braden Holz.

“We knew that there would be a lot of people driving through here, and there would be a lot of underclassmen that are going to be riding through here, driven by their parents, and they will all be seeing this. They will be active in the future, and this was important to us, to let them see what we are doing today,” said the 16-year-old, who is not eligible to vote, but says he is paying attention to the events concerning him and his fellow students.

“I know a whole lot won’t be changed until after I’m gone. I’m doing this for my younger siblings who will have to deal with the repercussions of mine and others’ actions, so I’m trying to make it right for them.”

Holz says he is “cautiously optimistic” that their efforts will affect any change within the school board.

“I’ve been trying to do stuff like this for the last several year, but not a whole has changed.”

During the protest, the students unfurled a banner urging voters to vote out school board member Ole Larson, who is up for re-election this year, and although they did not directly endorse his opponent, they inferred that for them, it was time for a change.

“We want to spread our message, and this is one of the best ways to do it,” said Remy Fagerstrom, who also advised his peers to get out and vote.

“Know who you’re voting for and get out and vote. Understand what their opinions are, and how their actions have affected the community.”

At one point, Larson was seen nearby, and though some of the students wanted to engage in a discussion with him, Larson chose to observe from a distance.

And as the students waved signs reading ‘Stand with Students,’ the morning commuters made their way through the busy intersection, the students appeared gratified and appreciative of those who honked their car, truck, and bus horns in support of the students.

Ben Kolendo, the Student Advisory Board Representative, was on hand for the protest and was pleased with the turnout, saying the response was what he was hoping for.

“I’m happy about this. I’m glad it’s not just me out here, but people from all around showing up.”