Middle School Students Attend Diversity Conference

During a session called “Breaking the Instagram Effect,” Jaelynn Williams (8) learned how social media can negatively impact young people’s self-esteem and body image. “Social media only shows bits and pieces of lives — only the good parts and even those have special effects added to make them better,” she says. When young women, in particular, compare themselves to these enhanced images, it can make them feel unattractive. The workshop showed students that it’s better to be confident in who you are.

Her classmate Keira Kastelic (8) learned to be more sensitive at Halloween, when costumes can potentially be hurtful if they are racist or depict a stereotyped version of someone. “It made me think more deeply about the messages people send when they dress up,” she shares.

The students will meet in the Connections Club with their advisor, Oscar Gonzalez, director of equity and inclusivity, to discuss ways to bring their learning back to Graland. Sara Burke (8) wants to make sure her peers are more aware of ways people are different. “We can’t assume everyone is like us,” she shares. “There are different cultures and races and different types of sexuality.”

Oscar hopes students were inspired by Dr. Love’s presentation to reject bystander behavior. “Bystanders” are those who see a victim but are unwilling to help when others are present. “When someone sees another person being mistreated, or any kind of injustice, we were encouraged to be ‘upstanders’ and take action,” he says.

STAMP is led by high school students who are passionate about making school cultures more inclusive. Following the conference, several Graland students signed up for more information about being STAMP leaders next year, according to Oscar.