The MICDS Diversity Conference facilitators

Middle and Upper School Host Diversity Conferences

MICDS welcomed students from 14 schools to campus for two diversity conferences last week.

The Middle School Diversity Leadership Conference took place on November 17 and included students and educators from 10 different schools coming together for small and large group activities focused on the theme, “Civility: Valuing Our Differences.” Participating schools included Ladue Middle School, Selvidge Middle School, Rockwood South Middle School, Crestview Middle School, Maharishi School, St. Michael School of Clayton and MICDS. A highlight of the day was a performance by Ramversity, the MICDS Playback Theatre group. Playback Theatre is a unique kind of improvisational performance in which actors respond to an audience member’s story and reenact it onstage. MICDS students Estephanie Estrada, Jaylah McMurtry, Fiona Richards, Ananya Radhakrishnan and Jonah Zacks worked with peers from participating schools to plan the conference and serve as peer facilitators for small group sessions. Faculty members from participating schools attended mini workshops while students were engaged in their work. An open mic discussion concluded the day’s activities.

Upper School peer facilitators planned and hosted a conference on November 18 for students focused on the theme, “Embracing Self . . . Embracing the World.” Students participated in large and small group discussions and activities and also enjoyed a performance by Ramversity. Participating schools were De Smet Jesuit, Villa Duchesne, Visitation Academy, Saint Louis University High School and Nerinx Hall.

Upper School Peer Facilitators, who spent weeks training for and organizing the conference, were: Anjali Pante, Sydni Hall, Zuri Thomas, De’Ja Wood, Zion Thomas, Raevyn Ferguson, Kenny Townsend, Bryce Berry, Kierra Graves, Chelsea Mingo, Nia Plump, Erica Jones, Brittney Usoroh, Sruthi Sripada, Hallie Nuzum, Christine Zhang, Zoya Qayyum and Caley McCline.

Erica Moore, MICDS Director of Diversity, worked with students to organize the conferences.