Pillar 1: Community & Belonging

Above: Coalition of Racial Equality (CORE) Club sharing & educating.

Elevating the Student Voice

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

BY SILVIA CADEMARTORI, WRITER

CLUBS AND LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES HAVE BEEN AN INTEGRAL PART OF GOING TO SCHOOL FOR GENERATIONS OF LCC STUDENTS AND, OVER THE YEARS, HAVE EVOLVED ACCORDING TO THE STUDENTS’ INTERESTS.

Most recently, global events, the media and the school have increased awareness around a variety of social justice topics, and these opportunities have been taken to a new level at LCC. Initiatives related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) have been created in response, and are sought out by students seeking to build their identity and better understand the world around them.

These activities are aligned with LCC’s commitment to foster a sense of community and belonging where differences are celebrated, open discussions are encouraged, and the perspectives of others are valued. “We bring students together who would normally never cross paths,” says Tifa Weekes, athletics coordinator and student support. “This provides them with a safe space in which to share opinions and think critically. It also helps students to build a network of people to whom they can look for support.”

Here are some examples of how our students are focusing their energy.

SEXUALITY AND GENDER ACCEPTANCE (SAGA)

SAGA provides a confidential place for Middle and Senior School students to support each other, talk about LGBTQ+ issues, and raise awareness of homophobia. The club is open to students who identify as LGBTQ+ or who support the club’s message. They meet over the lunch hour to share a meal, hear guest speakers, fundraise, and organize events such as LCC Pride Day. “As the students try to figure out how they fit within the larger construct of school or society, it is important that they live their authentic selves. This club helps them to define who they are,” explains Ettore Zuccheroso, science teacher, who co-facilitates the club with school counsellor Veronica Kost ’09.

CREATIVITY FOR COMMUNITY

This club weaves together art and inquiry. Tatiana Phillips, English teacher, helps students explore art as activism and as a communitybuilding strategy. For example, as part of the Red Dress Project, members created a visual art piece that honours the lives lost in Indigenous Residential Schools and, on the National Day of Awareness and Action for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, students installed a temporary art piece within the school. Red clothing items were hung to represent the absence of the victims.

Creativity for Community Club's Red Dress Project — visual art piece

THE FEMINIST CLUB

Lily Greenspoon ’22 and Daniella Roberts ’22 (Pre-U ’23), together with the club’s faculty supervisor, Barbara Hutchison, senior visual art teacher, created a space for members to discuss current and historical events that are significant to the feminist movement and raise awareness about sexism.

“Women account for slightly over half of the population, but we are discriminated against regularly and, all too often, when young women voice these experiences, they are dismissed and remain unheard,” says Lily.

“As a result, women’s issues are frequently invalidated and overlooked,” Daniella adds. “It is a problem our club tries to counteract by presenting ample opportunities for affirmation and advice.”

GRAD PRIDE DIVERSITY HEADS

Diversity heads are members of Grad Pride, the senior leadership team consisting of grade 11 students who are selected to organize and lead student activities during the year. They promote diversity and inclusivity throughout the school by organizing activities to celebrate a variety of cultural holidays, as well as social justice events.

Students tie orange ribbons for Orange Shirt Day

COALITION OF RACIAL EQUALITY (CORE)

The CORE club meets weekly to discuss topics around race, such as identity and global events, and the need to empower and educate. The students also collaborate with other groups on initiatives such as Orange Shirt Day and Black History Month. “Students develop critical consciousness, which gives them the capacity to analyze different situations and systems and challenge them,” says Michael Moody, CORE facilitator and student services supervisor.

Members of CORE gather for discussion

Creating these types of groups and opportunities to support students as they navigate the ever-changing and complex social landscape will continue to be a priority for the school.