OA Students Attend Conference in “The Big Easy”

Four students, freshman Matt Porter, juniors Beau Hall and Crystal Cardonas, and senior Elizabeth Agramont, attended the Student Diversity Leadership Conference in New Orleans along with over 1,400 other students from independent high schools around the country.  This was Orinda Academy’s first, but surely not last, participation in what the students called “a life changing event.” Participants were able to expand their horizons on topics related to all facets of “diversity”: race, religion, class, socio-economic differences, national origins, and sexual orientation.  The students met students whom they shared an affinity with.  They also met people who were very different from them. While at the conference, our students learned how we could all get along and thrive by appreciating the “rainbow” that we are. 

Our students are eager to have an assembly to pass on these important lessons and techniques to their friends and teachers.

The students took along teacher and Multicultural Club sponsor Elaine Chu and Director of Admissions Nettie Anthony-Harris to witness their joy and growth. The chaperones attended the People of Color Conference, the adult portion of this natiowide gathering, as well as arranging for the OA group to tour the 9th ward and witness the lasting evidence of the devastation and tragedy that New Orleans experienced with hurricance Katrina.

Stay tuned for more diversity related events in OA’s future.

For more information on SDLC/PoCC, click here to visit their website.