Wilson Middle School, a United Way Community School, has introduced a new after-school club dedicated to celebrating the diverse cultures and ethnicities within its student body. The initiative was sparked entirely by student voices through the Positive Youth Development group, which identified a need for greater understanding and appreciation among peers. What began as a simple idea quickly evolved into a transformative program, highlighting the power of student leadership.
National Fuel, Wilson’s corporate partner, stepped in to support the effort through its EDGEFuel Group (Ethnically Diverse Group of Employees). EDGEFuel representatives, including Assistant Manager Darius Hubbart, have provided mentorship and guidance to help shape the club’s direction. Hubbart emphasized that Wilson’s diverse student population offers a natural opportunity to foster cultural awareness and inclusion—values that align closely with EDGEFuel’s mission to create environments where individuals from all backgrounds feel supported and celebrated.
The club’s first meeting brought together 15 students, with EDGEFuel leaders sharing examples of cultural programming and encouraging participants to explore traditions they value. Future plans include monthly meetings, culturally relevant content in morning announcements, and a community-wide cultural celebration by the end of the school year. Hubbart expressed excitement about seeing students collaborate, research, and learn about one another’s backgrounds, noting, “Human diversity is essential—it broadens perspectives and helps us discover things we might never have known otherwise.”
This initiative reflects the United Way Community School model in action, which goes beyond addressing non-academic barriers by elevating student voice and creating meaningful opportunities for connection. United Way also thanked Moore Research, a global marketing research firm based in Erie, for its strong support of community schools.