In a display of student advocacy, four students spoke at the November 6th Portland Public Schools board meeting to confront the lack of meal services for Evening Scholars students. Three of them were Benson Polytechnic High School and KBPS students. Their efforts have already proven to be successful, with PPS announcing the districtwide reinstatement of meal services for the afterschool program.
The movement was fueled from personal experiences and a belief that no student should go hungry. Ronnie Nees, a student who spoke out at the board meeting, highlighted their experiences with food scarcity. “I know what it’s like to go hungry — not being able to find food. I wanted to see change, and I knew I could be comfortable going up there and asking for it.”
Another Evening Scholars student, Nixie Brooks, spoke in an interview about the challenges students face without adequate food access. “Some students don’t even get enough food during the day,” Brooks explained. “And then there are students like us in PE at night school who aren’t getting the nutrients they need. When you don’t get enough food, you’re even more tired while trying to learn. It’s not fair, especially since many students aren’t in night school because of their own choices.”
Speaking in front of the school board didn’t come without some challenges. Brooks admitted to being nervous due to a lisp and stutter, yet pushed through for the importance of the cause. Nees expressed the pressure of public speaking, but was encouraged and optimistic by the attentiveness of the school board. “They seemed excited to have this issue actually being talked about, and I appreciated the response.”
After the meeting, the school board took swift and immediate action. The exciting news was shared to staff and students a week after the meeting took place, in an email from David Holm, the principal of the Evening Scholars. “I received this morning that PPS has approved, and will pay for, our students to have meal service once again for Evening Scholars!” said the email, going on to praise students who spoke out at the meeting.
When asked about future changes they wanted to see, both Nees and Brooks expressed hopes of increased long-term support for the Evening Scholars program. Nees also expressed their desire for broader improvements, stating, “Instead of holding small charity drives, they should provide real, lasting support.”
Throughout their campaign, the students demonstrated immense acts of leadership and perseverance. “Leadership isn’t just about being in charge — it’s about stepping up for what matters,” Nees commented. “Students have more influence than we think when we fight for what’s right.”
