Empowering Student Voices: CT SDLC Returns to the Hill

This year’s theme is Joy in Action. Becky Harper, a faculty advisor of DivBo, the Director of Equity and Community, and a panelist at this year’s SDLC, emphasized the significance of the theme: “During tough times, whether it's this political climate or just different things that are happening around the world now  joy is a practice.” 

Student sessions further engaged with the theme and explored topics ranging from identity to socialization to allyship.7th and 8th grade students discussed the importance of language and matter, specifically stereotypes, bias, and socialization. The 9th grade unpacked  themes of stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination. The 10th grade explored “Who Am I? Who Are You? Who Are We?”, the 11th grade discussed “Our Socialization: How do we learn what we learn?” Seniors and post-graduate participants focused on  “Moving from Allyship to Co-conspirators”. 

While DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) funding in public institutions has been increasingly restricted — especially under the Trump administration — students involved with the SDLC continued to prioritize such initiatives. DivBo co-head Claire Billings ’25 said, “I think it’s important to acknowledge that we’re lucky to still be able to run this event while many public institutions are losing their DEI funding.” Saidan Thapa ’25, another DivBo leader, echoed this urgency:  “The conference comes at a time when conversations and initiatives surrounding diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, belonging, and community-building are more urgent than ever.”

Amidst this new climate, CAIS works to foster a sense of community through the conference. Harper expanded on this, saying, “Student groups make their own little micro-community during the day [...] and that creates community within it.” 

Students appreciated this sense of shared experience. Aaj Desai ’29, an attendee of last year’s conference, recalled,  “Being able to converse with students of all backgrounds and experiences to talk about important topics pertaining to diversity [...] was constructive because everyone [felt] comfortable sharing their ideas.” 

Through these conversations and pod structures, SDLC encourages students to carry forth their experiences into their own lives. Laila Rivera Good ’27, who attended the national SDLC, explained that “Having this experience of being around many like-minded individuals taught me the importance of meeting new people, creating connections, and building communities.” Thapa echoed this sentiment: “Every time I attend SDLC, I leave with new ideas to bring back to our community, lifelong friendships, valuable lessons, and a sense of belonging to a community I’m excited to return to.”

Looking ahead, DivBo has been trying to localize CT SDLC even further. The DivBo Outreach subcommittee, led by Thapa and Anya Mahajan ’25, is working to create a New Haven Youth Summit (NHYS), which would bring Hopkins and New Haven Public School (NHPS) students together in a similar format to SDLC. Billings noted that this is a continuation of the Strategic Plan, saying that “Part of [Head of School] Matt [Glendinning]'s new [plan] is to build better relationships with the community, particularly NHPS.” Students outside of DivBo who may not know about the in-the-works NHYS also value building connections with local schools. Brock Bowen ’27, a previous attendee of the national SDLC, explained that “it’s super important that SDLC is held because it strengthens our bond with schools that are more local.” 

The SDLC creates an open forum for students to engage in “thought-provoking conversations and [...] dialogues,” according to Thapa. 

Hosting the conference, “is an honor” Harper added. Billings emphasized, “Hopkins hasn't always been this way, and our diversity is precisely why we need to continue working to include and support everyone in our community.”