Students from different schools across the district recently came together to experience the first ever BOOM Mentorship Experience session. It was an opportunity for a smaller group to reconnect after the larger BOOM Experience program in December. Throughout the day, students shared experiences regarding feeling recognized and heard in their communities.
The session started off with an ice breaker – learning each other’s names. The students shared their first and family names along with the meanings behind them. They told stories regarding what they valued about their names and their communities. More importantly, they had the opportunity to be honest with each other and share situations in which they felt discriminated against because of their names. Although the students wore nametags that were pre-printed for them to wear, they had the opportunity to change the name tag, so it accurately represented who they identified as.
They agreed that this would be a space for them to help each other, be honest and show respect. The students openly discussed if they felt safe at school, if they felt like people cared and if there were adults at school that could see their potential. The session gave them the opportunity to open up and have an open mind to other perspectives.
At the end of the day the students closed with a handshake and were instructed with an assignment for the next session – to capture images of their community.
Learn more about The BOOM Experience held in the fall.