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St. Luke’s Participates in 22nd Annual NAIS Student Diversity Leadership Conference
At the end of November, Myles Sead ‘23, Cessa Lewis '23, Matthew Sherter ‘22, Zion Profit ‘22, Alex Caceres '22, and Moli Ma '21 participated in the annual NAIS Student Diversity Leadership Conference, a four-day, virtual conference with more than 2,100 students from across the country.
This year’s theme, New Decade, New Destinies – Challenging Self, Changing Systems, Choosing Justice, focused on “self-reflecting, forming allies, and building community,” according to the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS). At the conference, each participant was assigned to a “family group,” named after a significant person in the fight for equity and justice. Within the groups, students engaged in deep conversations about diversity issues, practiced cross-cultural communication skills, and brainstormed strategies for social justice action at their respective schools and with their peers.
St. Luke’s Assistant Dean of Students, Noel Thomas, and Director of Equity and Inclusion, Jacqueline Nelson, debriefed daily with the students to help them process all they learned and heard. Mrs. Nelson shared the following about the students’ experiences.
The conference was such an incredible and meaningful experience for our students. Even though it was virtual, instead of the traditional in-person conference, students felt a sense of community and were energized by the sessions and group discussions.
During our debrief, students shared their reflections on the day’s activities. “This was the most incredible experience I've ever had. I've never experienced anything like it, to be with so many other like-minded, passionate students.” “Being in the affinity group was meaningful. I've never been in a space with so many other people who look like me, especially since I attend a PWI (predominately white institution.)” “I’m learning how to be a better advocate and the difference between being an ally and a practitioner, which requires more action.” “I’m trying to understand how my frame of reference about race was only black and white when it is much more complicated than that.”
These are just a few of the many insights our students gained from this conference. My goal is to offer more school-wide events that continue the conversation and learning around equity and inclusion and to build opportunities for more students to engage in these types of experiences.
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This year’s theme, New Decade, New Destinies – Challenging Self, Changing Systems, Choosing Justice, focused on “self-reflecting, forming allies, and building community,” according to the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS). At the conference, each participant was assigned to a “family group,” named after a significant person in the fight for equity and justice. Within the groups, students engaged in deep conversations about diversity issues, practiced cross-cultural communication skills, and brainstormed strategies for social justice action at their respective schools and with their peers.
St. Luke’s Assistant Dean of Students, Noel Thomas, and Director of Equity and Inclusion, Jacqueline Nelson, debriefed daily with the students to help them process all they learned and heard. Mrs. Nelson shared the following about the students’ experiences.
The conference was such an incredible and meaningful experience for our students. Even though it was virtual, instead of the traditional in-person conference, students felt a sense of community and were energized by the sessions and group discussions.
During our debrief, students shared their reflections on the day’s activities. “This was the most incredible experience I've ever had. I've never experienced anything like it, to be with so many other like-minded, passionate students.” “Being in the affinity group was meaningful. I've never been in a space with so many other people who look like me, especially since I attend a PWI (predominately white institution.)” “I’m learning how to be a better advocate and the difference between being an ally and a practitioner, which requires more action.” “I’m trying to understand how my frame of reference about race was only black and white when it is much more complicated than that.”
These are just a few of the many insights our students gained from this conference. My goal is to offer more school-wide events that continue the conversation and learning around equity and inclusion and to build opportunities for more students to engage in these types of experiences.
St. Luke’s School is a secular (non-religious), private school in New Canaan, CT for grades 5 through 12 serving over 40 towns in Connecticut and New York. Our exceptional academics and diverse co-educational community foster students’ intellectual and ethical development and prepare them for top colleges. St. Luke’s Leading with Humanity curriculum builds the commitment to serve and the confidence to lead.
