Changed for Life

Going into this conference, I thought that it would be a little weird considering I'm a white female and I was about to attend a diversity conference (1st thought =I'm not diverse!!). It would be way too long to share everything I have learned in Denver, but it has honestly changed my life. I have never had something change me so dramatically within two days. I think it really hits home when you hear people's stories and what they have been through, and for me being a white female it really makes me realize how privileged I am. I know that from this conference I have learned how to be an ally for people who need someone they are able to trust and confide in. I think completely different about the way I look at people and I have learned to drop judgements and not slip people into a category before I'm actually able to know "their story"(as POCC taught us).

I'm so privileged to have been able to meet Lily, Mona, and Kisha. I say meet because I had never taken the time to get to know anyone else, with a story different from my own. I plan on staying great fiends with these girls, and I know we will all work hard to change our school's diversity the best we can. I plan on posting more blogs before the end of the week, but I would like to leave you with one story...

On Thursday, I had joined the lunch line and found myself meeting a new friend named Katie. At first, Katie seemed like a normal girl, most likely around my age. As I continued to talk with Katie she told me that she had a mental illness, which caused her to be born premature and for her brain tissue to develop differently. Katie told me how it felt to be ignored in school just because she thinks different then the other kids, and also how it felt for all the kids to make fun of her because she had to have an assigned "note taker" because her hand shook whenever she wrote. The thing that hit home the most is when Katie told me that her parents call her a disappointment. Katie told me that it made her feel like she was letting them down and that she wasn't good enough for them. Since then, her sickness has gotten better and she can write for short periods of time and she is also now able to hold a fork. My question for society is that, when was it made acceptable to not love someone for who they are? Why is it acceptable to have a vision of your own child, and if they don't meet those standards, then its a disappointment? Katie and I became great friends, and I hope that her and I will be able to stay in touch for a long time because she is truly a beautiful person.


-Mia

The Beginning in the End

Here I post at both the beginning and the end of our adventure.

It was amazing to be with the girls and James on this journey. A mile above school and a thousand miles from home we were provoked, strengthened, shocked, and inspired as individuals and as members of the Severn community.

The entirety of my time at the PoCC was spent in workshops specifically designed to help and encourage students to bring back their experiences to their home communities. On Thursday I attended "Enhancing and Empowering Student Leadership After SDLC," "Holding Up The Mirror: Female Relationships in Independent Schools," and "Symbols of the Institution: The Deerfield Academy Identity Project." The following day was kicked off by the movie "The Prep School Negro," a discussion with the documentary's director and star, and the excellent workshop "I Learned Who I Was When... Identity Development in Upper Schools." I now have some tremendous new tools to help Keisha, Mona, Mia, and Lillie develop meaningful dialogue back at school. Beyond talks and movies, though, I have already seen how the experiences, friendships, and dialogues begun in Denver have already left indelible impressions on who we are as the Denver contingent of the PoCC/SDLC. Over the course of three days we grew together. By sharing our individual experiences over breakfasts and fast walks in the brisk mountain air, we became more than lone travelers on the same trip.

Joining the Multi-Racial/Multi-Ethnic affinity group was my powerful individual experience at the conference. Our affinity group had a cheer that simultaneously made us laugh and joined us together in our most common experience:

"Everywhere we go

People want to know

WHAT we are are

So we tell them

We are multi-racial. Multi-multi-racial..."

After numerous encounters with strangers in Barnes & Noble inquiring where I'm from, it was invigorating to be in a room full of people who've shared the same experiences of being a child of America's tremendous Melting Pot. My Chicago German-Irish-Italian-Dutch-Spanish-Mexican heritage was celebrated as never before. From literally being "Other" on standardized tests and questionnaires, last week everyone found a group. The most powerful experience of all was the ability to encourage the next generation of Americans who can and do cross all racial and ethnic divides by their mere being.

Above all else, I'd like to thank our young ladies for being tremendous leaders and organizers for the most powerful part of the conference on Saturday. Way to go each and every one of you. From our conversations walking around Denver to those at the end of each day, I am confident in telling our readers that these strong young women will bring back something extraordinary to Severn from the Mile High City.

Thank you all for the opportunities you gave to me this week - from going the conference, becoming a new friend and mentor, hearing your joys and sorrows at the conference, and sharing in this experience I am - and will remain - tremendously grateful. Now, onwards to the next stage: bringing back our three incredible days to your friends and our colleagues. You have the passion. Let the fun begin!

~Ms. Mary Ellen Leuver

derogatory terms

I had a wonderful experience at the SDLC this past week. One of the things that I am inspired to do, is stand up to people who use derogatory terms and I ask you to do the same. Many people feel as though, " Who are you to tell me what I can and cannot say?". But I feel like, " Who am I not to tell you how I feel when the words that you are using are making me uncomfortable?" I have learned that when people use the terms that's so gay, wassup my nigga, hey bitch, etc. they are being rude and not taking into consideration the amount of pain people feel when they hear these words. Also, just because someone is of a particular race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, etc., I do not think it's acceptable for "just that group" to use degrading words as friendly gestures. It's like using the words that have oppressed you as if they are cool and the only things you have in common. The world has a long way to go, and by me speaking out when I hear these things being said, I will start a cycle that will encourage others to do the same. I respect every one's opinions, which is why I am not asking anyone to agree with what I am saying. However, I am asking you to be open minded and take my suggestion into consideration. So, this is just one of the many things that I wanted to share with everyone about my experience at SDLC. It has taught me a lot and allowed to gain the strength to speak out for those who are unable to speak up for themselves.

No Mountain High Enough

Our time here is nearly done. Our task is only just beginning.

Over the next few weeks, Mia, Keisha, Lillie, Mona, Mary Ellen, and I have a great deal of feeling and information to process. I think it safe to say that we are excited about how much we have grown and a little overwhelmed about how to share it with the rest of our Severn School community. The gals have promised that, after home assignments and final exams, they will post some of their stories on the blog. What seems to being us into accord is the agreement that we need to find the most effective way to share this experience with others.

Speaking for myself, I have come away more energized and yet more calm after my meetings and workshops. I had the privilege of an older woman, part Hindu and part British, to share her serenity about being on the summit of her ethnic experience and comfortable reaching back to help others. Earlier today, I met with other Asian American/Pacific Islander men (both teachers and our student counterparts) and was asked to share what little wisdom I had with the next generations. Similar to last year, I find it difficult to convey the felling of realizing that there are so many others who have felt isolated by their identity, yet empowered by simple camaraderie.

Please stay tuned to this blog for a few more weeks and please find ways to engage us over the course of this year. My story is but one; and I, too, look forward to hearing the stories from our beloved students.

Brave Little Soldiers

The gals were picked up amongst 1100+ other teenagers at the end of the first day. It is safe to say that Ms. Leuver and I had one of those moments when we find being teachers the most rewarding. The gals were chattering away and telling us the stories from their day with such contagious excitement. Their stories should be posted as soon as they get a moment to themselves.

The altitude in the Mile High City is starting to get to a few of us. There have been some upset stomachs, headaches, chapped lips, and (speaking from personal aggravation) really bad hair days. We are hydrating like crazy and resting when whenever time allows.

Today we are all looking forward to another new adventure.

Into Every Life, a Little Rain Must Fall

We had a minor hiccup registering this morning, but thanks to the Ms. Leuver's guideline that to be early is to be on time, we were successfully entered into the rolls of the conference.

The opening ceremonies were quite entertaining. A traditional African dance troupe got us off our feet, praising our ancestors, and giving our love to the Earth. The SDLC co chairs gave a brilliant  welcome to both the students and the adults who brought them here. I hope to post the text of this speech later in the week and our attendees will use some of it as a writing prompt for their blog entries. Our keynote speaker was John Quinones from "Prime Time" and "What Would You Do?" and encouraged the students to never give up on their dreams and never stand by when others are pushed to give up on theirs. Please take some time to view a seven minute clip from his episode "Racism in America" on the right hand side of the blog.

This afternoon we will attend our "affinity groups" where students and teachers will meet with others who share the same ethnic identity and, in many cases, walk into a room where there are others who look just like them.

Stay tuned.

The Eaglets Have Landed

First and foremost, A big thank you to our Business Office and Richard Zmuda for getting us to the airport and safely ensconced in our hotel.

The flight to Denver was a bit bumpy and happily uneventful. Lillie was a very studious passenger and got some work done whilst Keisha caught a cat nap. Although I can't prove it, I am certain that United Airlines trimmed off about 2 inches of space between seats to squeeze in a few more rows. Fortunately the flight seemed remarkably short.

We arrived in Denver with only slightly below freezing temperatures. After some wary staring down of two other school groups we asserted our place in line to secure our shuttle to the Grand Hyatt. Karma, which can take us at any moment, then saw fit to have shuttle deposit us at the Hyatt Regency instead and we walked two blocks to our actual hotel. The gals were troopers and I am not sure that any of us ever saw Mona walk that fast.

A late dinner at Denver's Hard Rock Cafe landed us burgers and an informal meet and greet with other conference attendees. By 10:00 pm our time, but Midnight for you all, sleep beckoned. The troops have been given the bad news that reveille is 6:00 am, and the good news that it will feel like 8:00 am instead. I, Mia, and Mary Ellen are well pleased that there is a Starbucks right across the street.

We are well and safe and excited for tomorrow.

Let it snow! Let it snow!

I'd like to thank James for the wonderful idea of a conference blog - it's already a hoot on this end! We'll keep all of you completely updated from the wintery wonderland of the PoCC.

Speaking of winter wonderlands, I'm signing in tonight as your cheerful weather-woman. Being a Colorado native, I'm pleased to tell you that we will be experiencing a typical Colorado winter during our stay and I'm quite excited at our prospects.

Currently, it is 55° F with a light snowfall in the Mile High City.

Wednesday's forecast is a high of 24° (low of 16°!) with flurries all day.

Thursday we expect continued snowfall with a high of 20°. On Friday we expect the snow to clear and reveal a beautiful Colorado day with a high of freezing (32°).

For our return Saturday, the projected forecast is for partly cloudy skies and a high of 38°. It looks like a good day to fly.

So, boys and girls, let's bundle up and enjoy a real winter season in Colorado! Although I promised Doc I'd try to bring back snow, we'll definitely send plenty of pictures via this site. There might also be a snow angel or two. Stay tuned.

A good night to all!

~Mary Ellen Leuver

O Brave New World...

I thought it would be a hoot to share our experiences with the rest of the Severn School community. We are taking four students along with their "in loco parentis" chaperones ( which,  no matter what Doc Heslin or Magister Iost says, translates into crazy teachers trying to make parental decisions) to the Persons of Color Conference and Students for Diversity Leadership Conference. This is two conferences running parallel to each other in Denver, Colorado: the students attend workshops and activities just for them, and the teachers have a wide range of choices of workshops and sessions to attend.

Please join us from time to time and see how we are spending our days. At various times, we will post photos and updates of what we are learning and all constructive comments and questions are welcome. The guidelines are to adhere to Severn School's Acceptable Use policy and Honor Code. I will add a gentle reminder that this blog can be viewed by the world at large: which means that we are all representing our school.

We all look forward to your encouragement and comments.

My best,

James White