The theme for PoCC was “Equitable Schools and Inclusive Communities: Harmony, Discord, and the Notes in Between” and for SDLC “Listening for the Grace Note: Finding Harmony Amid Cacophony.” Wellington faculty and students heard keynote speeches from Lisa Ling, Marian Wright Edelman, Luz Santana, Julie Lythcott-Haims, Christian Picciolini and Marc Lamont Hill.

Student attendees included: Lily O’Brien ‘20, Kate True ‘19, Mac Hammett ‘19, Adenola Atekoja ‘20, Akua Woods-Antwi ‘20, and Justin Cockrell ‘21. For Cockrell, the most important thing he learned was that oftentimes minorities can have internalized biases towards their own identities. “It was an interesting thing because I had never thought of internalized oppression,” he said of the experience. “Now I plan to start a Latinx affinity group at Wellington as an extension of El Jag, and I think doing something like one of the activities we did at the conference with parents or staff would be really cool.”

“Every member of our group was important and contributed to our success,” he shared. “Also, the whole experience gives you hope to see how you can change someone’s mind by making a decent, well-framed argument.”

For George ‘21 and Taso ‘21 Callanan, who are already planning to lead the group next year, Wellington provided them great training in public-speaking and having the confidence to share their ideas in front of such a large group of their peers, many of whom had been involved in the Model UN for years.

“We all grew closer together,” Taso said. “The connection we felt as a group working together was unlike anything else we had ever felt.”