Westwood High School recently received a generous donation of essential school supplies from the University of South Carolina (USC) Black Law Students Association (BLSA). The donation directly stocks the school’s supply closet, ensuring students have free access to everyday learning materials.
Operating out of the school counseling office, the supply closet provides pens, pencils, paper, binders, poster boards, and art supplies with a “no-questions-asked” policy. Westwood’s school social worker also works with teachers to provide required materials for entire classrooms and special projects.
“This open-access system ensures complete equality and removes any social stigma around needing materials,” said Mellisa Bunch, Westwood High School Social Worker. “Ultimately, this donation ensures that students are fully equipped to succeed without worrying about missed assignments or lower grades due to a lack of resources.”
The supply drive grew out of an ongoing partnership between Richland Two’s AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) program and BLSA, which regularly connects law students with local youth through initiatives like “AVID Fridays.”
“Students and teachers already face monumental challenges; worrying about a lack of classroom supplies should not be one of them,” said Ty Greene, BLSA Community Service Director. “It was an honor for BLSA to help relieve some of that burden for the Westwood community.”
Norah Dixon, BLSA Associate Community Service Director, added: “This drive is a beautiful example of the lasting impact that the partnership between Richland Two AVID and BLSA can have on our community. I look forward to watching this collaboration continue to flourish.”
Westwood High is one of five high schools in Richland School District Two, located in Northeast Columbia, South Carolina.