On Thursday, March 13th, ILCS 8th-grade students Charlie Weaver and Joseph Boya had the opportunity to attend the DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) Leadership Conference at WSWHE BOCES on Ballard Road. They were among student representatives from 20 schools gathered to explore ways to foster inclusivity and positive leadership within their school communities.
The keynote speaker, Jamar from TeenTruth, delivered an engaging and inspiring presentation on youth empowerment, encouraging students to step up as leaders in both their schools and home communities. Throughout the day, Charlie and Joe participated in collaborative small-group discussions with peers from other districts, where they tackled pressing challenges that today’s youth face. Together, they brainstormed meaningful solutions and strategies to bring back to their respective schools.
Mrs. Wolfe, ILCS chaperone and advisor for the trip, facilitated discussions on how the ideas and initiatives from the conference could be implemented at ILCS. With a wealth of new insights and inspiration, Charlie and Joe are excited to share their experiences and proposed action steps at the next Middle School Student Government meeting, ensuring that the knowledge gained from the conference benefits the entire ILCS community.