“
THERE
ARE A LOT OF STUDENTS THAT HAVE COME FROM NOTHING , AND THERE ’ S STUDENTS THAT HAVE EVERYTHING . I FEEL LIKE PEOPLE ARE PEOPLE , AND MOST OF OUR PROBLEMS COME FROM THINGS THAT ARE COMPLETELY UNRELATED TO WHERE WE COME FROM .
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that information gets communicated ,” says science teacher David Perrel , who has had Payton for a physics class this year .
“ When there are questions , she ’ s definitely there to help – not just herself but the group as well .”
Payton – and many of her teachers – believe that the school ’ s diverse student population has created an atmosphere that has allowed her to thrive and take full advantage of her high school experience .
“ Nobody has the same story here ,” Payton explains . “ There are a lot of students that have come from nothing , and there ’ s students that have everything . I feel like people are people , and most of our problems come from things that are completely unrelated to where we come from .”
Payton ’ s circle of friends have different ethnic backgrounds . But those differences hardly ever come up in conversations , she ’ s quick to note .
“ I don ’ t think anybody here is treated differently because of their race ,” she says . “ I think we do a good job of that .”
Payton is considering a career in the medical field . She ’ s applied to Georgetown University , among other prestigious schools . Payton could foresee returning to Anderson after college because , in part , she sees potential among the city ’ s residents to collectively band together and confront their problems honestly .
“ I really , really , really like the people here ,” she says . “ I don ’ t like the state of the community as much , but I think it can be improved . I feel like there can be improvement , and it can get there .” •
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT : ANNABELLE BECKHAM , DILYN FULLER , PAYTON SARGENT AND MADDY KOVACS .
2023 Diversity Magazine 29