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US Students Share Insights from the Shanti Alliance in Hawai?i
This past year, a dedicated cohort of Crystal students embarked on a transformative journey, participating in The Shanti Alliance and attending an annual Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) conference held in Hawaiʻi. The Shanti Alliance's mission is to empower school communities to cultivate inclusivity and belonging by drawing on the rich wisdom and practices of Hawaiʻi's diverse community.
Their vision: thriving, peaceful, and sustainable school communities where every individual can truly show up as their full self and contribute to a more equitable and just world.
We had the pleasure of interviewing four students who participated, Casey L ‘28, Camila M ‘28, Leilah P ‘26, and Mariah P ‘26, about their experience, and their insights offer powerful reflections on how we can further foster belonging within our own Crystal community. The theme for this year's conference, "Cultivating and Growing Spheres of Belonging," resonated deeply with them. They saw the Alliance as a unique opportunity to both find their own place and actively contribute to creating an even more inclusive environment for others. Some of them were inspired by a presentation from US students while they were still in 8th grade and felt a strong call to action, eager to get involved in DEI work themselves once they reached the US. They shared a profound understanding that through collaboration, we can collectively strive to make the world a better place.
One of the most striking takeaways from the conference was a powerful reflection on the fast-paced nature of our lives. In Hawaiʻi, our students observed a slower pace, which allowed for a deeper sense of gratitude for each other and for the land itself. This stark contrast highlighted how often we overlook our own privileges in our daily routines.
A key concept introduced was kuleana, a Hawaiian word representing one's unique gift brought to the community. Kuleana, our students explained, moves us away from rigid social hierarchies, emphasizing that it's not about what you do, but rather the authentic, personal contribution you bring. There are no "better" or "worse" kuleanas; simply being your authentic self or possessing a strong capacity for empathy are examples of invaluable kuleana. Everyone has a distinct, vital role in the community, and just being yourself can truly be enough.
Ultimately, our students returned with a richer understanding of gratitude and the profound benefits of slowing down and engaging in self-reflection. We are incredibly proud of our students for their engagement in The Shanti Alliance and for bringing these invaluable insights back to our community. Their experience reinforces our commitment to nurturing an inclusive and belonging-centered environment at Crystal, where every student can truly flourish.
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Middle School
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650-645-1000
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650-342-4175
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Website Accessibility Statement: Crystal Springs Uplands School is committed to making this website accessible to visitors with disabilities and is continually working to increase its accessibility and usability. We are on a regular basis seeking opportunities to bring all areas of the site up to the same level of overall web accessibility. If for any reason, you cannot access any of the material on our website, please email webadmin@crystal.org and we will work to resolve the problem as soon as possible.