DIVERSITY CONFERENCE 2014 THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2014
7:45-9:45 p.m.
SCREENING OF “GIRL RISING” Athletic Center (All Invited)
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2014 8:30 a.m.
SPOKEN WORD BY VERDI DEGBEY '16 “SUICIDE OR HOMICIDE” THE POWER OF WORDS
8:45 – 9:25 a.m.
KEYNOTE ADDRESS: Empowering MEdia
Opening and Welcome by the Diversity Committee Co-Chairs A’Kala Chaires ’14 and Maranie Harris Kuiper ‘15
Heather Schultz ’72, P’14
Why do I think and act the way I do? It’s all about you! Learn how to be at your best more often so that you can be empowered to be a valuable contributor to your family, the Williston community, and the world.
9:30-11:30 AM: MORNING SESSION STUDENTS
FACULTY PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
I WILL DEFEND
THE YOUTH CAN MAKE SMART DECISIONS ONLINE…WE NEED TO HELP THEM!
Mark Wiggins
Christine M. Tetreault, Assistant District Attorney and Jana R. McClure, Director of Community Outreach & Education, Northwestern District Attorney’s Office
Are you leading with your passion? What is your purpose? Are you going to be passive or are you willing to stand up for what you believe in? It’s time to get off the bench and do something. Get ready for the Speaker Man, a motivational speaker and coach who will compel you to look inward so you can maximize your outward effect and make it count. Athletic Center
With the abundance of social media sites, online “live-gaming” opportunities, and cell phones with internet connectivity, youth are faced with the challenge of protecting their digital reputation and safety. This workshop will address risky behaviors such as “sexting” and the vulnerabilities youth demonstrate while navigating the digital world. The presenters will also address the legal consequences for youths’ poor decision-making in the digital world. Parents’ Association Room TWEETS, VINES, AND INSTAGRAM, OH MY: HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS’ VIEWS ON SOCIAL MEDIA Moderated by Kim Evelti and Andrew Shelffo (faculty)
Students will provide demonstrations of some of the most popular social media apps, including Snapchat and Twitter. Afterwards, they will be part of a panel discussion focused on the hows and whys of social media use. Williston Theatre (Scott Hall)
11:30 AM - 12:10 PM: LUNCH GRAB AND GO 12:20 - 2:10 PM: AFTERNOON WORKSHOPS NOBODY LIKES A BULLY
TUNE IN AND TUNE OUT
TINTIN IN THE NEWS
ONE BILLION RISING
ADOPTION
Elizabeth Calderone ’14, Rachel Chambers (faculty)
Persis Ticknor-Swanson ’14, Adrienne Mantegna (faculty)
Jonah Freed ’14, Claire Frierson (faculty)
Laurel Raffetto (faculty), KB Garvey (faculty)
Logan Brown (faculty)
We will spend time talking about what bullying is, how it affects us, and how to change and stop bullying. The goal is to create and continue a wave of change. WB Lower Level, 12 students
We will focus on being present and connecting with those around us in this yoga class. Comfortable clothing is necessary. Dance Studio, 20 students
There has been a recent debate about over Tintin comic books that has raised questions about the roles that popular culture, film, classic children’s literature, libraries, and parents play in building a community in which everyone feels safe and respected. Bring your Surface and your own experience (or lack thereof) with Tintin Chapel 508, 15 students
Musician-activist Nathalie Merchant directed this film in which a group of women from the Mid-Hudson region of New York react to the domestic violence crisis in the U.S. www.onebillionrising.org Athletic Center, 50 students
WOMEN IN THE MEDIA I
SO YOU THINK YOU KNOW HIP HOP?
THE NEW JIM CROW
REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY
Sylvia Skerry ’14, Bianca Schultz ’14, Emma Kaisla ’15, Lindsay Richardson ’14, Julia Krupp ’15, Maddie Stern ’14, Sarah Klumpp (faculty)
Explore the portrayal of women (and men to a lesser degree) in mainstream media. Reed 102, 15 students (Upper School only)
WOMEN IN THE MEDIA II Emily Vezina (faculty),
UMass student guests Are you represented? Join us for a discussion of how women (and men) are portrayed by the media. WB Middle School meeting space, 30 students (Middle School only)
Henry Lombino ‘14, Dr. Marcus Ware, Commonwealth Academy (guest faculty)
Popping? Locking? Delve into hip hop culture, its origins, its various art forms, and its themes of empowerment and identity. Come ready to move! Lower level Stu Bop, 40 students ONE SURVIVOR REMEMBERS Adeleen Brown (faculty)
Gerda Weissman was 15 when the Germans came for her. They took all but her life. Join us for this Academy Award-winning film. John Wright Common Room, 30 students
ROCK OF CHANGES Mackenzie Zehring ’14, Ryan Tyree (faculty)
Faculty Brian Crockett, Imani Edwards Commonwealth Academy (guest faculty)
Alec Bickerstaff ’15 and Mike Fay (faculty)
Watch the documentary “Adopted” explore the issue of transracial adoption and learn about the tools that exist and stories shared online. www.adopted.com 194 Common Room, 30 students
Congress has a 13 percent approval rating, in part because it feels sometimes like they have no idea their constituents really exist. Learn how to change that and make Capitol Hill, the State House, or just City Hall listen. Come prepared with a topic in mind that you want your elected representative to hear and get ready to make history. Reed 202, 15-20 students SAY SOMETHING
Stan Samuelson (faculty)
Laura Penny from Safe Passage
Join us for a viewing of a compelling documentary about the civil rights movement by Teaching for Tolerance using actual footage of and interviews with those involved with the Civil Rights movement. Schoolhouse 23, 15 students
Take a meaningful look at domestic violence and assault. Using media and a visit to the organization’s website, seek ways to build safety, learn about domestic violence, and get engaged. www.safepassage.com Cox Room, 30-50 students (Upper School students only)
MAKING SMART DECISIONS ONLINE
We will look at the population of women and ethnicities in the U.S. and compare that information with members of Congress. Take part in a discussion on the fairness of representation and how we can improve and solve some of these issues. Reed 204 10-15 students
WHAT IS BEAUTY?
THE GREAT PINK SCARE
SHADOW OF HATE
Livvy Milne ’14, Erin Davey (faculty)
Susanna White (faculty)
Ken Choo (faculty)
This powerful documentary tells the story of the devastating persecution of three Smith College professors who were charged with possessing and dispersing obscene literature. Reed 103, 15 students
Examine the historical origins of racism in the U.S. through this important documentary. The featured stories showcase real life events that are often ignored. Choo Living Room (John Wright), 15 students
Examine how music has progressed over the years and has been influenced by the media’s emphasis on a “proper” image. Get a clearer idea of how pop culture has been both musically and politically changed from generation to generation. Studio Theatre, 30 students
Christian Knapp ’14, Brendan Hellweg ’14, and Peter Gunn (faculty)
CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT
Commonwealth Academy Conceptualized the notion of “the new Jim Crow” through topics including the prison industrial complex, the war on drugs, and prejudice toward marginalized groups. Dodge Room, 50 students
Examine the culture of selfies and self-confidence and respect. Join us for a discussion of the ways to empower yourself through imagery in the media. Be prepared to take pictures and come away more confident. Photo Studio, 20 students (girls 16 and up)
INTRO TO SAVING THE WORLD: making political change through advocacy, lobbying, and the media
TWO SPIRITS Kate Biddiscome (faculty)
Fred Martinez was one of the youngest hate-crime victims in modern history when he was brutally murdered at 16. Two Spirits explores the life and death of a boy who was also a girl, and the essentially spiritual nature of gender. Reed 203, 15 students
Christine M. Tetreault, Assistant District Attorney and Jana R. McClure, Director of Community Outreach & Education, Northwestern District Attorney’s Office
With the abundance of social media sites, online “live-gaming” opportunities and cell phones with internet connectivity, youth are faced with the challenge of protecting their digital reputation and safety. This workshop will address some of the risky behaviors, such as “sexting,” and vulnerabilities youth demonstrate while navigating the digital world. Parents’ Association Room, 30 students
2:20 - 3:00 PM: CLOSING “OREO”
HIP HOP WORKSHOP PRESENTATION
TAKE ACTION!
Alex Kozikowski ’14, Verdi Degbey '16
Henry Lombino ’14, Dr. Ware
Stan Samuelson
A powerful combination of identity activism and the media.
A call to action from a 34-year veteran Diversity Committee member
“WE CAN!” Final Remarks from Diversity Interns Brittany Collins ’14 and Michael Thompson ’14