ROCKINGHAM-COUNTY, Va. (WHSV) – Students at Spotswood High School got an exciting yet powerful history lesson Tuesday along with some words of encouragement from civil rights trailblazer Charles Alex-Zan.
Alex-Zan is a member of the “Charlottesville 12,” the first Black students to integrate Charlottesville City Schools. He shared his “Yes You Matter” initiative, helping inspire the next generation to believe in themselves and make a difference.
“The whole mental health aspect that people just need to realize, regardless of who they are, where they come from, that they still matter. Ups, downs, twists and turns, that they matter,” Alex-Zan said.
He said he simply enjoys people and engaging with others of all ages.
“I just like people. You got to have a love for people and engaging, and most people already know what they should and shouldn’t be doing,” Alex-Zan said. “I just come to reinforce and do it in a fun way. I have a good time, and I think they have a good time.”
Alex-Zan said being a part of such an important part of history has made a huge impact even today.
“I had character and values that I brought with me from home, but I’ve always been a people person. Always speak to people, be nice to people, be kind to people, so it extends today,” he said.
Students at Spotswood HS got a history lesson Tuesday along with some words of encouragement from civil rights trailblazer Charles Alex-Zan.
Elias Paserba, a freshman at Spotswood High School, said hearing Alex-Zan’s message meant a lot to him personally, especially when navigating high school.
“I think he’s a really good speaker and really interactive with people,” Paserba said. “I just think it’s great that he’s lived through these times and is able to share it with us, and we can feel his messages. You matter, like, that’s really big in high school, knowing that everyone can feel something.”
Paserba said he believes Alex-Zan’s words will stay with him forever.
“Everything has a push-and-pull effect, like he was talking about, like if you smile or give somebody a hug or say ‘hello,’ I mean, you’re gonna feel that later in your day,” he said. “It will make people happy, just that sharing positivity around the world. I think that’s what we need.”
Paserba said mental health is a big deal in high school, and if there’s one thing he took from Alex-Zan’s visit, it was the importance of sharing positivity and uplifting others throughout the day.
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