From December 1-3, Dana Hall students A. Baez ’12, K. Ellis ’12, F. Kaba ’12, C. Pina ’12, A. Putri ’12, V. Robichaud ’12 and A. Waye ’13 attended the National Association for Independent Schools (NAIS) People of Color Conference in Philadelphia, Pa. The theme of the conference was “We the People: Painting Our New Mural of Community.”

During the three-day conference, students were divided into groups for activities, workshops, and lectures. Pina and Putri cited “The Silent Movement” as their favorite activity. “All of the participants were seated in silence,” recalled Pina. “We were asked to stand if an identifier that was read aloud, such as a race, religion, socioeconomic status, or gender, pertained to us. The honesty and amount of respect during the activity was influential and inspiring.” Putri added, “It was striking how trust was not an issue between attendees.”

Director of Dance Devon Fitchett was a chaperone along with three other Dana staff members. Fitchett also attended workshops and listened to speakers. “Author Wes Moore spoke about the influence of one’s environment,” Fitchett recalled. “He spoke about how people and experiences help to shape one’s decisions, and ultimately, destiny.”

The students still hold the conference’s topics and conversations with them. They also strongly believe that Dana Hall students should continue to attend the conference. “It was a beneficial experience to sit in the same room with more than 1,500 people who share similar concerns and passions pertaining to diversity,” said Pina. Putri added, “My peers and I carried conversations from the conference to the airport and back to Dana. We were united in some way. We moved beyond the categories and labels that they put us in and gained an insight that stayed within all of us.”