This school year, Minerva DeLand created a Student Leadership group for students have a safe place to have conversations comfortably with each other.

The group serves as an idea-generating group in which conversations are ongoing instead of a one-time occurrence. Particularly, the focus of the team is to engage in conversations on race and actions plans for how we can grow together to become better allies for all members of the MD Family.

Principal Dominic Monacelli said the school’s goal in creating this group is to empower students to have real conversations, which builds trust so they can share more personal stories.

“If we stop long enough and listen long enough, then we can understand each other’s perspective, voice and humanity,” Mr. Monacelli shared with students at its December meeting.

Monacelli said that action is important, and encourages students to continually think about how they can be supportive of the Minerva DeLand family of students and staff.

There are staff, hybrid and virtual students in the group, which meets monthly.