Interact/ESV Advisors and Students leaders with speaker Isaiah Santiago. From left to right: Interact/ESV Advisors Marna Meltzer-McMorris and Nicole Conte, Isaiah Santiago, and Columbia High School students Reina Sullivan, Ellie Keenholts, and Kole Hardy.

Mental health is an increasingly important topic in society, especially for our youth. That’s why students in Columbia High School’s Interact/ESV (Empowering Student Voices) club hosted school-wide assemblies on Friday with guest speaker Isaiah Santiago.

Mr. Santiago, who is a political science major at St. John Fisher University, spoke to students about the importance of advocating for themselves and their mental health.

Mr. Santiago is a dedicated advocate for youth in Rochester, New York, focusing on combating youth gun violence and mental health stigma. At 20 years old, he is the youngest commissioner elected to the Rochester City School District Board of Education. He is the founder of We Got This, an organization that steers at-risk youth toward positive outlets like arts and music, fostering creativity and mentorship. He also developed a curriculum for the Rochester City School District, recognizing the critical link between mental health services and youth outcomes.

Interact/ESV is a student-run project that focuses on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Their work began last year with facilitated trainings so that all students feel welcome and accepted.

Student leaders Ellie Keenholts ’25, Kole Hardy ’25, and Reina Sullivan ’26 sent out a school-wide survey earlier this year to evaluate their classmates’ opinions on the climate at Columbia and assess interest in events led by Interact/ESV.

“We wanted to create a school community where everyone’s voice matters and everyone’s voice is heard,” said Keenholts.

“We want to make sure that everyone feels able to express their individuality, be comfortable, and have a safe place here,” said Hardy.

The students were inspired by Mr. Santiago after hearing him speak last year at a youth summit hosted by Questar III BOCES. They wanted to invite him to Columbia so their classmates could have the same opportunity to hear from him.

“I love hearing him speak because he has a young perspective like us, and he gets us,” said Sullivan.

They hope their fellow students enjoyed the presentation and that their biggest takeaway is that everyone belongs.

“It’s important to show that it’s okay to be different—that’s what makes us beautiful as a human race. My biggest takeaway, and what I hope most students’ takeaway, is that no matter the circumstances, you belong,” said Keenholts.