SENIOR Chase Pope was one of 10 students nationwide to be inducted into the Secretary’s Smithsonian Youth Advisory Council.
The Secretary’s Smithsonian Youth Advisory Council is a program that was started in April 2016. It’s one of the countless programs that exist at the Smithsonian, the world’s largest museum and research facility.
The Smithsonian values the opinions of its participants, especially the youth. This is reflected in the large amount of youth programs at the Institute. According to the the Smithsonian website, the Smithsonian Secretary’s Youth Council “ensures that the thoughts and ideas of the young people in our community help guide the important work we do at the Institution.”
Pope first heard about the council through the youth docent program at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. “I volunteered there this summer and the coordinator of the program selected two people out of the 18 docents to apply,” Pope said.
The process itself was relatively simple, according to Pope. She had to fill out an application, listing the museum she volunteered at, and write an essay on a topic of choice.
Pope chose to write about racism and the prejudice she has faced from both the white and black communities because of the way she chooses to speak. “I had read very many books as a child, and as a result I was made fun of by my black peers because I talked ‘white,’ as well as by my white peers because of my skin tone,” Pope said.
Pope described her apprehension as she was submitting her application. “When I heard how selective the program was, I almost cancelled my application,” Pope said. “When I was accepted, I was ecstatic, my whole family was with me and we all started screaming.”
“Chase is a girl that’s never been afraid to try new things,” her grandmother, Loretta Gray, said.
She has been in a variety of extracurriculars at WHHS including Marching Band, Mock Trial and Black Culture Club. She is also co-captain of the Varsity Bowling Team, Vice President of Chinese club and Lead Pianist in Jazz Ensemble.
Pope has already done video calls with the group, and they have discussed a variety of topics. She plans on discussing racial equality and mental health during meetings.
Pope says she’ll be meeting with the group in Washington, D.C., in April on an all expense paid trip, and she is greatly looking forward to the opportunity.