Awty Student Diversity Leadership Board Strives for Inclusivity

The Awty Student Diversity Leadership board is now in its second year of operation at Awty and is making substantial strides in improving the school’s inclusivity and diversity. 

The board started as a small group of students interested in learning more about diversity in schools and how to demonstrate leadership and inclusivity. These students attended the Student Diversity Leadership Conference (SDLC) where they gained valuable knowledge and built bonds with students from all across the USA. and from many different backgrounds. However, they didn't feel like it was enough, and they wanted to share the knowledge they gained and make an impact on their school. The group of students took initiative and created the Student Diversity Leadership Board to provide the school with the knowledge, feedback, and input regarding diversity and inclusion.

Avani Shah, now a junior, helped found the board at the end of her freshman year. 

“We wanted to create the Student Diversity Leadership Board for a multitude of reasons,” stated Shah. “Firstly, we wanted to ensure that there would be a group dedicated to diversity and inclusivity at all levels of the school. Secondly, we wanted to serve as a soundboard to the administration regarding diversity issues, therefore, creating a safe space to discuss issues of diversity and inclusivity within the Awty community. Lastly, we wanted to raise awareness about the beauty of our different backgrounds and cultures.”

“The board has many different projects that are going on,” continued Shah. “I am a part of the diversity podcast we formed called Awty Reworked. We release episodes about notable students, faculty, and community leaders with the purpose of spreading education and awareness of diversity.”

SDLB has partnered with the administration at Awty to work together and provide solutions for the issues that the student body has brought up. The board serves as an important resource, connecting students with the teachers and administrators at Awty.

Within a collaborative group of professionally trained students, the Awty SDLB helps the school community to celebrate linguistic, cultural, and international diversity and seeks to maximize the potential in all members of the Awty community to grow and become responsible world citizens.