Courageous conversations

On Friday, January 13, Mr. Ashley Porter, Equity Supervisor and Title IX Coordinator took several students to The Ellis School in Pittsburgh to participate in the 19th annual Culture Jam – a student-led and produced conference focused on diversity.

This exciting conference welcomed 50 high school students from across the region. It’s designed to empower students to have courageous conversations alongside their peers and offer them opportunities to connect and ignite the sparks of authentic change within their own schools.

Culture Jam was an impactful event for all who attended. “This was a great opportunity for our students to engage with their peers from around the Pittsburgh area. They participated in student-led workshops related to a variety of diverse backgrounds, cultures and experiences,” said Mr. Porter. “Next year, our students will not only participate, but they will also lead workshops and discussions.”

This year’s theme, “You’ve Got the Power,” focused on the importance of self-advocacy and how it equips us to better advocate for others in our communities.

“I think Culture Jam was an amazing way for students from different areas to connect and share our differences. It was a great learning experience for me as a student who does not see much cultural diversity in school to connect with students and share my thoughts on complicated topics not commonly spoken on,” said senior Kayla Brooks.

“I really enjoyed going to The Ellis School and the way the event was organized. It was fun meeting new people who had similar thought processes and discovering new ways that people strive for equality and the rights of others,” said junior Jose Tinoco.