VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Belonging and inclusivity were top of mind for Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VBCPS) on Wednesday, as over 100 students from several different high schools in the area gathered here to talk about empathy and inclusivity in hopes of creating a better community.
Ty Harris, the division's Director of Diversity and Inclusion, said the students selected were considered leaders in their own schools.
"SCA leaders, leaders for clubs, leaders on sports teams, leaders for visual performing arts, and other club leaders in the buildings to come together and hopefully be the agents of change," Harris said.
The "Power of We" workshop is a partnership event between VBCPS and the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities. The idea is simple but powerful: bringing students across the area to teach them valuable life skills.
"How do we create environments that are welcoming, inclusive, and allow all our students to feel a sense of respect and connection to one another?" asked Angela Nichols with VBCPS.
The workshop also included large and small group conversations focused on creating and increasing belonging and inclusivity by interrupting discrimination. The event kicked off with retired Navy Captain J.J. Cummings speaking to students about the importance of inclusive language in leadership and team development.
"An important lesson I wanted them to know is to show them you care, don't tell them. Actions are more powerful than words because words are just words," Cummings said.
Gary Sapinoso goes to Salem High and said he plans to bring these lessons back to their school.
"I'm trying to bring back to my school way to include ways to include everyone, because if I include everyone, then there's a sense of belonging going to go up," Sapinoso said.