Examples of Noteworthy Activities
• Perceiving the need for his school’s curriculum to reflect the increasing student diversity, a high school senior worked with faculty members in the social studies and history departments, and researched textbooks and college syllabi to develop a course called “Diversity in America.”
• Alarmed by the subtle but hurtful signs of racism she observed at her school, a ninth grade student began writing a column for the student newspaper called “Voices,” which brought issues of race and diversity into the open, and helped her community deepen its commitment to diversity.
• A student used his role as president of his school’s Diversity Club to implement Embracing Diversity Week, in which different activities were undertaken each day to honor students of various races.
• Seeing innocent people dying in her neighborhood because of gang violence, a ninth grade student wanted to help make a change. In an effort to improve relations between Latinos and African American students, she organized a program called “Peace Week,” including activities and music during the lunch hour to promote peace and unity.
• One student organized a group of high school students to provide childcare to immigrant families in her community, helping many of these parents complete a program designed to have them become involved in the local PTA as well other school organizations in local elementary, middle, and high schools.
• A high school senior organized Youth and Power conferences that bridged racial lines to encourage civic activism and participation.
• Already an advocate for race relations, a student co-founded a multicultural discussion group called Analyzing Media Intellectually, Internally, and Internationally to facilitate group discussions about portrayals of minorities in the media.
• A student leader of his school’s Minority Scholars Program runs a program that recruits, encourages, and supports minority students entering into honors and advanced placement classes. The program also encourages parental involvement in their children’s education.
• A student led a Diversity Exchange, providing an opportunity for students in her school to spend a weekend shadowing a fellow student from a different racial, religious, or socio-economic background. This weekend was followed by a retreat for participants to reflect on their experiences.