Phoenix, Ore. – A Phoenix High School cheerleader and her family are speaking out after they claim the student was the target of ongoing racial bullying by her peers, leading to an investigation by both the school and a third-party organization.
Sydney Waites, a member of the Phoenix High School cheerleading team, has been a source of inspiration to younger students, who often look up to her during school events. But recent events have cast a shadow over her experience at the school. Waites, who had previously expressed pride in her role as a cheerleader, is now taking time away from in-person school and has paused her cheerleading practices.
The situation began to escalate after an incident during a state cheerleading competition in Oregon City last month. Waites’ mother, Ashley Parret, was alarmed when she received a call at 1:24 a.m. from her daughter, who was described as “hysterical.” Her coach was with her, and the coach revealed that a “white privilege card” had been found in Waites’ room. Parret was devastated by the discovery, which she believes was no accident.
“They came in to clean up my teammate’s things, and they took the only thing I needed to keep my hair right for competition the next day,” said Waites. The item she refers to is a bonnet, which she says is essential for protecting her hair, particularly in the context of Black culture.
For months prior to this, Waites and her mother had reported incidents of racially motivated bullying at Phoenix High School. Waites explained that she had found the n-word written on her personal belongings multiple times. These incidents, coupled with the recent events during the competition, have left her feeling targeted and unsafe.
Principal Kalin Cross of Phoenix High School confirmed that the school had investigated previous reports of bullying. “Anytime students report anything to staff, we have a responsibility to investigate and I’m confident to say we have done that in each incident that’s been reported to us,” Cross said.
However, due to the sensitivity of the ongoing investigation, Cross refrained from releasing specific details. A third-party investigation has been initiated by Prism Investigations, which will include interviews with students, family members, and staff members from the competition.
In the meantime, Waites has chosen to pursue her education online for the remainder of the school year. She expressed frustration about falling behind in her studies due to missed quizzes and tests. “I’ve missed multiple quizzes and tests that are impacting my grades and some of my teachers understand, but some of my teachers won’t ever get it, I feel like,” she said.
Parret, her mother, expressed her deep concerns about the situation. “I just want her to be able to feel safe and confident at school, but I also know we’re at a crossroads now. She’s had to step away from everything she loves,” said Parret.
Phoenix High School has emphasized that they are waiting for the findings of the third-party investigation before taking further action. “Once the internal investigation is completed, we will wait for the results of the third-party investigation,” Cross explained.
As the investigation continues, many are watching to see how the school responds to the allegations and what measures will be put in place to ensure a safer environment for all students. Racial bullying, particularly in school environments, continues to be a significant issue that many communities are grappling with, and this situation highlights the need for comprehensive efforts to combat discrimination in schools.
Sydney Waites’ decision to switch to online schooling raises questions about how institutions can support students dealing with bullying and what more can be done to create inclusive and respectful educational environments. The outcome of this investigation may have lasting implications for Phoenix High School and its approach to handling issues of racial discrimination.