By Monica Aviles
On Novemeber 20th, during lunch, an event called “All That We Share” was held in the quad.
The Culture & Climate class had been planning this event for quite awhile. It was presented to show and increase diversity among our campus.
The students and a few teachers were separated into certain groups. These groups were specifically picked because “others may see them as very opposite from each other,” explained ASB and student activities teacher, Mrs. Aston.
This event allowed them to discover what they have in common with their peers, and to recognize that they are not so different after all. Some groups included staff, drama, ASB, etc.
The students activities class even held a practice one to which Aston was surprised by how much the students loved it and participated. “Students can feel very separated from others and this one way to show how unified we are even if we don’t realize it,” Aston says.
The event started off with easy questions, such as “Who has used TikTok?” to more serious ones like, “Who has been a victim of bullying?” If the question applied to them, they would gather into the center of the quad, as their peers clapped for them.
Savannah Travis, ’20, was a participant at the event, and loved how “we got a lot of people together to get involved with this event.” Travis learned a lot about the people around her, and the people from other clubs. She also believes that students should be in charge of more events like this one because “it really shows accountability on the student’s part, they are the ones who want to bring people together, not just the staff.”
Not only did students participate in this event, but teachers as well. Chemistry teacher, Mrs. Bettencourt, was out there on the quad too, as well with a few other teachers. Bettencourt believes it’s important and necessary ”for students to learn about their peers. It’s a good way for the kids who are watching and participating to see how similar and different we are.” She has watched similar videos like the event, and always loves how the participants are able to share experiences. Bettencourt wants students to know that “we teachers are just like the students. We are willing to participate in events as a school too.”
This idea was shared by Goga Endeladze Junior, ’20, a foreign exchange student from Georgia. He was first inspired by the video called “All That We Share.”
The video was first published in Denmark. It was just a Danish TV ad to reach the people of Denmark, but soon spread internationally.
In the video it states, “It’s easy to put others into boxes.” Individuals are forced into stereotypes, or certain cliques by how much money you have, or your intelligence, and by how athletic you are or artistic. The video focuses on things that unite the participants, rather than focusing on their differences.
Constantly, students are victims of stereotypes. There are stereotypes on gender, sexuality, race, etc. Some groups that are common in high schools include: popular kids, athletes, nerds, etc.
A majority of the time, students are put into these “boxes” or “categories”. Not only do students impact these stereotypes, but so do parents, teachers, and social media. Stereotypes can lead to bullying, mental disorders, stress, and isolation.
These experiences can also lead to many consequences on the student’s identity and academic success. Although, these stereotypes do not apply to everyone, or to each school.
Original video “All That We Share” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4qEI8QARbE
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