Community Stories

Welcome to our Community Stories page, a space dedicated to sharing the diverse and often profound experiences of individuals within our community. Here, you'll find a collection of stories that encompass the full spectrum of human experience, including both uplifting moments and challenging times.

We believe in the power of storytelling to foster empathy, understanding, and connection. From inspiring tales of resilience and triumph to poignant accounts of struggle and loss, each story offers valuable insights into the lives of those around us.

Our aim is to create a platform where every voice is heard and every experience is valued. We encourage you to explore these narratives, reflect on their significance, and contribute your own story if you feel moved to do so. Together, we can build a richer, more compassionate community through the sharing of our collective experiences.

"Every social justice movement that I know of has come out of people sitting in small groups, telling their life stories, and discovering that other people have shared similar experiences."

Gloria Steinem

Submitted December 3, 2024

Growing up in Onalaska, I was unaware of my differences until everyone around me made them painfully clear. I came to learn about my "otherness" through the teasing I endured for my curly, frizzy hair and my darker skin. These experiences taught me that being different was somehow a negative attribute. I was excluded from games and social circles, simply because I didn’t fit the physical mold.

I continued learning when my best friend told me she didn’t want to be friends with a “blackie”, and when school staff singled me out for alleged dress code violations or for skipping classes I had actually attended.

My final lesson came when a classmate I once considered a friend spread a rumor that he and his father thought it would be amusing to burn a cross in my yard to intimidate me and my family. In that moment, I learned not only to be ashamed of my ethnicity but also to live in fear because of it and it impacted me for years.

It was then, at the age of 16, that my mother made the difficult decision to allow me to leave Onalaska for a larger city where I could find diversity, comfort, and safety. I share the stories of my past, not to dwell on the pain but to highlight the realities I faced, and others may still face. Because of those who have insisted that my experiences are untrue, I believe it is even more crucial to confront these issues head-on. By raising awareness and acknowledging the darker aspects of our community, we can shine a light on them and pave the way for a better future for the generations to come.

Onalaska High School Alumni

Submitted August 28, 2020

I first began my schooling in Onalaska as a 7th grader. Upon my arrival I did not take notice of the lack of diversity. It wasn't until my first bus ride home that it would be made very apparent. It was on the bus that I would be called names that I had never heard before. I was horrified, once I googled these terms and realized I was being made fun of for my Mexican descent. I would be told to go back to my country frequently.

It was truly devastating because it did not matter to these students that my mother's family had settled and began homesteading in the late 1800s, or that my great-grandfather was one of the first store owners in Onalaska. They were only seeing the color of my skin.

When I tried to bring these issues to staff, my concerns were often minimised and made to seem like light fun between peers.

It was these type of reactions that would force me further and further into my shell. I began to purposely stay under the radar to avoid situations that would bring attention to myself. I believe that these experiences would prevent me from participating in activities or stepping out of my comfort zone in the classroom. Which, I do believe, affected me as a student.

Like many others, I did have good experiences at Onalaska and have seen improvement throughout the years. However there is still work to be done!

Onalaska High School Alumni

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