Eight Bethlehem Central High School students recently represented BC at the fourth annual Elevating Student Voices Youth Summit. The group joined nearly 100 other students from across the Capital Region in celebration of student-led efforts to build more inclusive and welcoming school communities.
The group included Claire Aliggayu, Gabriel Bernal Burgos, Avani Dixit, Shyanne Figueroa Sealey, Bhavya Kakarala, Dominic Macarilla, Lulua Umar, and Paisley Sims. The students were accompanied by English as a New Language teacher Elizabeth DeVanzo. Superintendent Jody Monroe also joined the group.
Featured speakers at the April 29 summit emphasized the importance of student leadership, empathy, and creating school environments where all students feel safe, respected, and empowered.
Bhavya Kakarala was one of only five local students invited to sit on a leadership panel. The BC senior contributed excellent dialogue about promoting equity and making change in the school and community.
The summit, sponsored by Capital Region BOCES and Proctors, also included student discussion circles, exhibits and activities designed to unite students from more than 20 area school districts.
The BC group led an activity entitled “Celebrate Your Differences,” where students from other districts were encouraged to visit the BC table to meet someone new, share a little bit about themselves, and take a Polaroid photo together as a keepsake. The activity was a big hit and helped foster new friendships, celebrate individuality and expand school communities beyond their ordinary boundaries.
Congratulations on a job well done!