A dozen Columbia High School students met last month to discuss inclusivity in school so that all students feel welcome and accepted. The program is called Elevating and Empowering Student Voices and it is being offered in collaboration with Questar III BOCES and its component districts.
Five Columbia students – Kole James Hardy ’25, Reina Sullivan ’26, Ellie Keenholts ’25, Aries Raphael ’24 and Reid Schiermeyer ’26 – led the activity in the auditorium. They were trained as facilitators this past winter at Questar alongside students from other local high schools.
Ellie Keenholts ’25 participating in the Empowering and Elevating Student Voices program at Columbia High School.
“For me personally, it’s been so amazing to see that there’s other kids in other school districts who see the same things that we do and want to make the same changes that we want to make,” Keenholts said. “And now we’re back here and implementing those practices to Columbia students.”
The Columbia student facilitators met with some of their classmates on March 13 to discuss student experiences with race, gender identity, mental health and wellness.
At one point, the students broke into small groups and wrote anonymous responses to prompts on sticky notes. The prompts included:
- Something others may not know about me is …
- Something I really like about our school or community is …
- One of the biggest issues I think we have at our school is …
- Something that my teachers do or others in the school do to help everyone feel a sense of belonging is …
- I am concerned about …
Students said that they liked the plentiful and varied opportunities at Columbia, including clubs and extracurricular activities. They liked the diversity at school and they appreciated the effort administrators contribute to make “our high school experience as fun as possible.”
Some of the issues that were identified included judging others instead of accepting them, immaturity and a lack of respect toward others.
During the event, Principal Michael Harkin visited with the students to hear more about their experiences at school and how teachers and staff can support these efforts.
“We’re really focused on making Columbia a better place and making everyone feel included,” said Keenholts. “Just being patient with one another and really taking the time to know somebody.
“I hope we do another one because this has been so fun for me, and I think for everyone else,” Keenholts concluded.
A dozen Columbia students met last month to discuss inclusivity at school so that all students feel welcome and accepted.
The program is called Elevating and Empowering Student Voices and is offered in collaboration with @QuestarIII. Some important and productive conversations! pic.twitter.com/KwV3cN99gI
— East Greenbush CSD (@EGreenbushCSD) April 2, 2024