On Dec. 5, Harvard Westlake hosted the Student Leaders for Inclusion, Diversity and Equity, or SLIDE Leadership Program, inviting Campbell Hall students to attend a three day program with other local private and public schools. The aim of this program is to “invite courageous conversation and the creation of sustainable action plans around topics of DEIJ in schools,” which Campbell Hall tends to go to annually.

   Valentina Salmón ‘26 had attended many conferences in the past few years but, in particular, she noted that SLIDE had a significant focus on networking with people outside of your school that are interested in similar things. Salmón remembers that they all went to see Wicked, hang out at escape rooms and there was dedicated socializing time in addition to hour-long lunches. In addition to the social aspect, Salmón believes the best part of these conferences is the speakers.

   “It’s really empowering to be in a room with however many people that have the same interests as you, ” Salmón said. “Every time you come back, it gives you hope. You place your trust more in the future because you realize that there are people like you that are trying to be changemakers and leaders in the world.”