A year or so ago when we started “The Gap According to Black,” the young writers of the Simpson Street Free Press had a simple, but important, goal. We wanted to voice one student’s opinion about a critical issue: minority students are underachieving in our public schools. I was chosen to author this new column. For the past year I have had the opportunity to share stories and lessons learned and even dispense some personal advice to readers all over the state of Wisconsin.

This column hasn’t always been pretty. In fact, sometimes it’s been pretty tough and pretty negative. It’s hard not to be negative when you are writing about something as ugly as Madison’s achievement gap.

But I have also written about positive things—ways we can fight the achievement gap. I have suggested some important strategies: positive role models, doing community service, and positive peer pressure. The column that meant the most to me was about community service. I am a strong believer in community service. When everyone gives a hand, everyone benefits—even the givers. Establishing a personal commitment to community service and community involvement is the first step in bridging your own gap.

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This column has been a very personal and important experience for me. However, here at the Simpson Street Free Press, our staff knows the importance of embracing diverse perspectives.  This is why I’ve decided to move on. Of course, the fact that I am graduating and heading to UW-Madison has something to do with it, too.

Nonetheless, it’s time to hear a new voice. I think it is a great idea to have another young mind share her opinions, experiences, and overall thoughts on the achievement gap in our local schools. Someone who will be able to share new ideas and suggest ways our community can bridge the gap.

Deidre Green is a perfect candidate for this job. She has worked at the Simpson Street Free Press for two years and is entering her junior at Lafollette High School. Deidre was recently selected to participate in the Simpson Street Free Press Summer Media Institute. She will be serving internships at Channel 27 and The Capital Times as part of this program.

I have always been impressed by Deidre’s work, professionalism, and ideas. Her thoughts are going to be new, fresh, and different. She can do this job.

I strongly recommend that all of you continue to read the “The Gap” column. If we all work together, and listen to each other, we can leap over the achievement gap and really make a difference.

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Oh yeah, one more thing: Beginning with the next issue of the Simpson Street Free Press, this column will no longer be called “The Gap According to Black.” The new name? You guessed it: “The Gap According to Green.”

Kind of catchy, don’t you agree?