Diversity, equity, and inclusion is an institutional priority at Holton and an integral component of the School's Learn Well, Live Well, Lead Well philosophical approach to education. Holton is committed to increasing students' understanding of and exposure to a wide range of perspectives and lived experiences, and students are enthusiastic about digging deeper as well. A year ago, Upper School students approached the Diversity & Global Education Office about creating a full, immersive day of student-driven, student-led diversity programming, designed to further sharpen their skills and enhance their knowledge.
"Upper Schoolers have said that they really want more," says Melissa Brown, Director of Diversity & Global Education. "They really want to learn how to have difficult conversations about topics like race, sexuality, and socioeconomic status. And if we are going to prepare these young women as leaders, we need to give them the knowledge, skills, and habits of mind to be able to do this successfully."
From these discussions, a new Holton tradition has emerged: the Upper School Diversity Conference. Upper School student leaders planned and recently hosted the second edition on Thurs., Mar. 7. This year's programming included a talk from Rodney Glasgow, Head of Middle School and Chief Diversity Officer at St. Andrew's; large- and small-group exercises about various identifiers and perspectives; and student-facilitated "unconference" discussions about topics like #MeToo, cultural appropriation, mental health, and socio-economic status.
The Student Diversity Conference Steering Committee—Lillian Broeksmit '20, Ilona Deckelman '19, Sofia Gerlein '20, Katie Smith '19, and Zainab Jaffa '19—organized the day, and more than 35 additional Upper School students served as facilitators. Girls received specialized facilitator training during a weekend retreat with Glasgow, the school's TIDE faculty/staff diversity committee, and the Office of Diversity & Global Education.
Ilona was a facilitator at last year's conference and enjoyed the experience so much she wanted to take on a greater leadership role this year. Through the conferences, she says, "I have learned a lot about myself, my passions, and what I can work on to make myself a more accepting and open person."
As for her peers, Ilona says she's heard that many "can't wait to continue the discussions we had during the conference. Many students have said their greatest takeaway was having the opportunity to hear others' opinions and stories."
Sofia agrees that the conference helped spark more open dialogue. "I believe that conversations between people with differing opinions can sometimes be unsuccessful due to frustrations, but during the conference, students learned to have meaningful conversations with students who had opposing views."
Having also attended last year's inaugural conference, Glasgow says he already sees a shift in students' confidence in discussing tough topics. Whether participating in exercises or standing up to share thoughts at the microphone, "there was a real trust and vulnerability there," he says.
On May 20, the Steering Committee and facilitators will lead the Middle School Diversity Conference, which they are currently planning with the Diversity & Global Education Office and Middle School administrators.
More than 40 Upper School students served as facilitators at the Upper School Diversity Conference on Mar. 7.
The day opened with a talk by and guided activity with Rodney Glasgow, Head of Middle School and Chief Diversity Officer at St. Andrew's.