Six Indian Springs students—Jacqueline Ferrari '20, John David Haws '20, Nadia Lane '19, Maya Cassady '19, Jordyn Hudson '21, and William Marshall '21—attended the 2018 National Association of Independent Schools’ Student Diversity Leadership Conference (SDLC).
Held Nov. 28 to Dec.1 at the Omni Nashville, the conference gathered multiracial and multicultural student leaders from independent high schools across the U.S. and abroad for a long weekend of seminars, workshops, and group discussions about inclusion on campus.
“I learned new skills for effectively communicating my ideas and standing strong for my convictions,” says Jacqueline Ferrari ’20. “The community there heard me out, and told me to never stop sharing my voice. I’m grateful I had the opportunity to meet new people, to listen to others’ values, and to share my own in a respective and attentive environment.”
“SDLC was a transformative experience,” says Maya Cassady ’19. “I learned that diversity of culture—whether it be family structure, race, religion, etc.— creates a community where anyone can belong. It allows people to connect over common humanity, despite different backgrounds. It is a bridge to growth, the harbinger of change, and the key to a better future.”
SDLC encourages student attendees to take leadership in their school communities and to implement the ideas they learned at the conference upon returning to campus.
In conjunction with the SDLC, chaperones Janae Peters, Dean of Students, and D’Anthony Allen, Student Life Coordinator, attended the 2018 People of Color Conference (PoCC) which provides leadership and professional development for people of color in independent schools.