Students Celebrate Diversity At Newtown High School

By Laurie Borst

On April 12, Newtown High School sophomores participated in Diversity Day, organized by English teachers Kristin Gelderman and Cari Strand. Prior to the event, the Anti Defamation League (ADL) came to the school to train student and teacher facilitators. Participants engaged in six hours of training. Funds for the training were raised by the Diversity Club through grants.

The day began with approximately 300 sophomores in the auditorium. Six panelists, high school junior and seniors, were introduced and an ADL facilitator outlined the rules for the day, which included creating a “safe zone” in the auditorium where students could speak openly without fear of  reprisal.

Students were shown a video of Connecticut students discussing how to deal with name-calling and issues surrounding it. The student panel then spoke. All six panelists discussed an aspect of their lives which led others to single them out for harassment. Jonah Schwartz spoke of living with Tourette’s syndrome; David Creaturo discussed issues surrounding homosexuality; Tamara Kemsley is a Mormon; Alexandra Isaacs is Jewish; Amanda Leigh Lindblom, graduating early, has found herself between social groups; Abbey Zachos discussed people’s reactions to her interracial relationship and also spoke of problems arising from being bipolar.

These students shared their experiences and explained how the harassment and name-calling made them feel. After they spoke, an Open Mike session began. More than 60 students stood in line waiting to speak. Some spoke of being picked on, others apologized for past offenses. According to student accounts, some speakers became quite emotional.

The group broke for lunch, but stayed together in their advisory groups to discuss the morning’s events over their meal. Each advisory group worked with one adult and two student facilitators.

Out of the discussions came “Do Nows,”  lists the students created stating what they will do next about respecting the diversity of others. Lists were presented when the entire group reconvened after lunch.

There followed a short session of poetry readings. Krys Kunkle read an original poem about not being able to express himself honestly. Amber Ruscoe and Jessica Macey recited a poem about Rosa Parks and her struggles.

Before the day ended, students were asked to stand if they had been an ally to someone being picked on, a bystander observing such behavior, a perpetrator, or a victim. Many students stood for more than one category.

The day wrapped up with students meeting someone with whom they were not familiar. They had to spend a few minutes getting know a new friend.