Desire for change propels Chantel Blanchard into activism

Chantel Blanchard has a voice and she chooses to use it. She expresses herself by getting involved, vocalizing her desires for change, and putting paint to canvas.

Chantel, 17, will be a senior at Contract Based Education in the fall. A more conventional high school wasn’t working for her, though she tried to make a go of it.

“I have been a vegan activist for two years and I started an animal rights group at my former high school,” she said. “We educated students and the public about the exploitation of animals in our society and set up a fundraiser to gather donations to local animal shelters. Our fund drive was called Pennies for Pets. Friends and I have raised awareness outside of school about similar issues.”

Since beginning CBE, she has done better academically. “CBE offers better individual time and connection with the teachers. I am more involved in my school and am able to express my talents. I’m doing much better since I’ve started there,” she said.

Her desires for change led her to her current project.

“I am currently helping a teacher with a dropout prevention project. I have interviewed high school students about their past education, and what they do and don’t like about the current school system, and how can it be changed.

This information and other research from articles is being used in a couple of essays about what schools can do to make students more apt to attend school. These essays and data that I have collected are going to be used to help CBE High School with gathering more grants for a dropout prevention program in the school. This includes a check-in with students’ advisers about their life and to see if there is anything the advisers and other teachers can do to help students in need.”

Chantel also paints. She has a small loft area in her Valley home that serves as an art studio where the walls are eclectically painted – paintings lean against a wall, and an easel stands at attention.

She said that art helps her work through issues, occupies her time, and relaxes her. She plans on attending Evergreen State College.

“I am planning on getting a degree in art. The art classes that they have are amazing! I also want to pursue my activism in that environment. I feel like it will be very successful.”