February 8, 2021

Peer Health Educator Spotlight: Joshua Alexander ’21

“The main reason I wanted to join HIP was because of the impact HIP had on me as a freshman in 2017. I remember being so awkward and shy and I was just unhappy with my life. I was also in conflict with my identity. HIP was there for me, they provided a safe space where teens were allowed to be open and vulnerable. I would always be happy when HIP would come into my class and I would be eager to learn. HIP had a strong impact on who I am today and I want to be able to have that same impact on others by providing them with the space necessary for dialogue on important issues that plague our generation today. I especially want to be that change to help students during the pandemic, when mental health is at its worst.

I’ve enjoyed being Vice President this year and I’ve learned to become a better public speaker and to be able to be more understanding and empathetic towards others…which is why I feel the 9th graders really enjoy HIP. It is nice to know that people see me as someone that they can open up to and talk about certain things. That makes me happy.

In college, I hope to study political science. Crime is very rampant in the community I live in and the school to prison pipeline is very obvious here. Kids are in gangs, kids are dealing with drugs, mental health is at its worst, and bullying is rampant. It’s just a very negative atmosphere for most. An imperfect system is going to produce imperfect people, so I want to continue to make that change through HIP.”

-Joshua Alexander ’21, Vice President, Miami Edison Senior High School