How the Black Student Union at Steinert High School Discovered its Voice
Steinert High School, formally known as Hamilton High School East, serves roughly 1,400 students in grades 9 through 12 and is regarded as one of the top academic schools in the area.
Competing in the Colonial Valley Conference as the Spartans, Steinert fields 22 varsity sports and is particularly recognized across the state for its powerhouse baseball and championship-winning softball programs. For all of its athletic and academic prowess, Steinert was missing a club dedicated to its Black student body.
During the 2021-22 school year, the Black Student Union at Steinert High School was launched as a safe space for its Black student body. Since its inception, the BSU has grown to boast a membership of more than 80 students for the 2025-2026 school year. The vision of the club is to “encourage Black excellence and build relationships. We also push away the stereotypes given by people and grow the inclusivity.”
Heather Bonarillo, president of the BSU, shared how their group met with Nottingham High School’s BSU to help them create their own at Steinert. She also spoke about some of the obstacles that the club has overcome, such as being fully supported like other school clubs.
“We’ve had challenges such as figuring out ways to make profits for our club and running our fundraisers. We usually have our BSU and minority community show up for us in our fundraisers, but we hardly get the same support from the rest of the school,” Bonarillo told the Trenton Journal. “As officers, we continue to promote the club to show that we are more than the labels and stereotypes some may have for us.
Douglas Cooper, an advisor for the BSU who also teaches art, coaches wrestling, and track & field, noted that an influx of students came from Nottingham to Steinert because the school was overcrowded.
“Inclusion is a big part of it. We kind of have kids from the other side of the tracks, so to speak. We have the Kuser initiative, where more and more students of color who would’ve gone to Nottingham are coming here,” Cooper said. “A lot of those students don’t feel included because their friends and families are with the Nottingham community. If we give them a space here, then they can feel included and not be so outspoken and defiant.”
Joslyn Reyes, the group’s vice president, detailed how joining the BSU helped to empower her as a leader.
“During this journey, I learned that I am more capable of leadership than I initially thought. Starting and growing BSU taught me how to communicate effectively, work with different people, and stay committed to a goal even when challenges arose. I also gained confidence in speaking up for what I believe in and learned the importance of creating a welcoming space where others feel heard, supported, and represented.”
This year, the BSU has had numerous accomplishments that Bonarillo spoke proudly about. She shared that many students “have worked together and really pushed to show Black excellence.”
“Almost 80 students or more have come together in BSU and have shown how united the minority community can be,” Bonarillo said. “We’ve also worked on donating to those in need this year through Homefront and partnered with our assemblywoman, Tennille McCoy, on her own coat drive.”
“Not only has the club as a whole accomplished that, but even our own BSU dance team advanced to states at the Mercer County Teen Arts, which is the first time it’s ever been done,” Bonarillo continued. “I feel as though this year, many kids have worked together and really pushed to show Black excellence.”
Recording Secretaries Christabel Mensah & Gabriel Roberts spoke about how participating in the BSU allowed them to discover themselves.
“I learned how important having a safe space for people of color is in schools. Before joining the BSU, I was lost in a sense, and I didn’t really know anyone who looked like me,” Mensah explained. “But after joining, I made a new family. Through that, I learned how to interact and socialize, and have someone like Mr. Cooper, who I could go to for anything.”
Most kids don’t mind or care about finding a safe space in a predominantly white school because they’ve accepted it. However, we want to build a community rather than having our students deal with acceptance,” Roberts shared. “Learning how to show Black excellence outside of the program, and I’ve learned different leadership skills after becoming an officer.”
While the BSU at Sternert is a safe place, it became a catalyst for the members to discover the gifted and how they could “walk proud” being exactly who they are, according to Social Media Secretaries Jolina Kissangoula and Ray’Ann Charles.
“At the BSU, I learned about my persistence. I gave my all to this club. Promoting and representing us on social media,” Kissangoula said. “It shows how much I never gave up on a goal I was set on. Also, I have learned to take responsibility for my actions and to take initiative.”
“I learned leadership, teamwork, and communication skills, said Charles. “This experience has helped me to grow as a leader and a role model in my school community.”
