Recently, several Needham
High School students shared their personal stories as part of the high school’s
Own Your Peace/Own Your Piece assembly. The assembly is part of a student
initiative focused on building student activism, voice, resiliency, and a broad
sense of community and respect.
Courageous students stood
in front of hundreds and hundreds of their peers to share their personal
stories and challenges. Their poignant anecdotes about their struggles with
emotional and mental health issues, sexual orientation, racism, or learning issues
were thoughtful, articulate, and inspiring. I came away captivated by their
mature words and their powerful perspectives that
demonstrated a willingness to stand up, take a risk, and model what we value and
how we want students to act.
Of course, it is no
accident that the Own Your Peace/Own Your Piece assembly can thrive in a caring
community like Needham High. The school's staff, parents, and students value
and appreciate one another, and this speak out was yet another example of how
the school strives to empower young people and their learning.
Thanks to the brave young men and women at Needham High School who encouraged each one of us to Own
Your Peace/Own Your Piece!
Check out the student
video that kicked off the week’s activities:
Youtube: NHS Own Your Peace/Own Your Piece