MELISSA MARTINEZ
STAFF WRITER

This semester, History and Global Studies professor Dr. Kimber Quinney, and her History 393 students took advantage of a mentoring opportunity working with high school students at High Tech High School.

Alongside teacher Ms. Michelle Clark, Dr. Quinney teamed the High Tech High’s students and CSUSM’s History students together in groups and presented their final projects, all following the theme: Wash. Rinse. Don’t Repeat. on Friday, Feb. 17. With the help of Dr. Quinney’s class, High Tech High’s students compiled an arrangement of videos and interviews to compare historic events, such as the Holocaust, to recent events like the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Their primary goal was to spread awareness to prevent these catastrophic tragedies from reoccurring through media, interviews of Holocaust survivors and spoken word. Junior Jenna Phelps’ group dedicated their video to spreading awareness of the injustices in history and how, unfortunately, it can replicate.

“Racist comments aren’t taken seriously, and we want to show everyone that it isn’t okay and we need to stand up against it so it won’t repeat,” Phelps said.

Not only did the students of High Tech High benefit from their mentors, but also CSUSM students took advantage of a great opportunity to branch out and experience a different kind of learning.

CSUSM student/mentor Bryan Romanelli spoke of his experience working alongside these students. Seeing the final production come together was the highlight of his experience.

“Being a mentor was honestly one of the coolest experiences ever. The students cut above the rest, took the bull by the horns and ran away with it. They were extremely dedicated and were on top of their work. It was great being able to work with these students for a common goal: to prevent history from repeating itself,” Romanelli said.