From December 2 to December 5, the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) held its annual Student Diversity Leadership Conference (SDLC) virtually for the first time. Now in its 27th year, SDLC is an international event held for high school student leaders from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
Among theattendees from Choate were Anesi Ojior ’21, Lara Prakash ’22, Deven Huang ’23, Ava Maha ’23, Adama Sowe ’23, and Tristin Hurst ’24. Several faculty members, including Director of Equity and Inclusion Dr. Rachel Myers and Associate Director Mr. Filipe Camarotti, participated in the corresponding NAIS People of Color Conference (PoCC).
Though this online format of the event was unprecedented, both students and faculty successfully engaged in conversations and workshops that promoted understanding and community building.
According to attendees, the keynote speakers in the conference covered social issues, such as racial discrimination, the terminology used to describe marginalized identities, and the Indigenous experience.
This year’s keynote speaker was Ms. Lyla June Johnston, an Indigenous woman, environmental scientist, doctoral student, artist, and community organizer. In her speech, she discussed ways to better support the Indigenous communities in the United States. Prakash said, “She was inspirational [and] really moved me to bring change to Choate.” Prakash also felt that the speaker helped her “realize that we are never done educating ourselves.”
A major component of the event was the opportunity to connect with students from schools around the globe. Even though the Covid-19 pandemic forced SDLC to transition online, students still found ways to bond and form friendships through social media.
“Everyone got super close despite it being on Zoom. We all still communicate through group chats even though the conference is over,” said Prakash.
Leading up to the conference, Ojior had questioned how she could most effectively create a more equitable and inclusive community. She said, “SDLC really helped me grapple with these questions, figure out where to go from here, and realize that my love for this school is why I want it to be better.”
