Approximately 100 students from across the Capital Region convened at Proctors Theatre in April for the third annual Elevating Student Voices (ESV) Youth Summit, which concludes a year-long program focused on student-led dialogue and action on important issues. The summit brought together young leaders from all of the BOCES component districts together to share their perspectives and the outcomes of their collaborative work.
The Elevating Student Voices program empowers students to engage in meaningful conversations about topics such as mental health, diversity, and civic engagement, with the goal of fostering their ability to drive positive change. The Youth Summit provides a platform for these students to present their insights and connect with peers and community leaders and marks the culmination of a year where students from across the Capital Region collaborate, delving into their peers’ experiences and engaging in vital discussions on issues that matter most to them.
The summit featured an inspiring keynote address by Dr. Ebony Green, CEO of “Hello Kind Soul,” a recognized advocate for inclusion and empathy, serving as a central point of the summit. Throughout the day, student leaders shared presentations on their local initiatives and community partners outlined future pathways to cultivate more culturally responsive school environments. The program facilitated a dynamic exchange of ideas, beginning with opening remarks and a review of the year’s collaborative efforts, leading into Dr. Green’s address, and then fostering deeper engagement through student-led discussion circles.
The afternoon continued with a student showcase, followed by an insightful panel discussion featuring student representatives, DEI leadership from local school districts and the New York State Education Department. The summit concluded with closing reflections from a student leader, providing a powerful platform for students to amplify their voices.
Students from many of the participating districts created exhibits that represent created an exhibit that showcased how their schools have taken the learning from the ESV program and made it applicable to their individual schools. For example, students from the Watervliet City School District created a visual representation of their unity and support, displaying a large “W” composed of nearly one hundred individual paper “W”s, each containing messages to their allies. Jeremiah from Watervliet described ESV as “a beautiful thing to be a part of,” while Machi appreciated it as “a good space to converse and have questions.”
Another exhibit, created by students from the Schenectady City School District, featured a video exploring crucial aspects of their school experience, including student safety. Their presentation also highlighted their proactive discussions with school leadership on fostering understanding.
“The Elevating Student Voices program provides a vital opportunity for students to develop their voices, come together, and learn together,” said Elizabeth Wood, Deputy District Superintendent of Capital Region BOCES, in her opening remarks. “The insights shared by students, along with the impactful message from Dr. Green, demonstrate the power of student-led dialogue.”
Capital Region BOCES extends sincere gratitude to the many district representatives and leaders who tirelessly supported their students throughout the ESV journey – guiding their discussions, fostering their critical thinking, and encouraging their leadership potential both before, during, and after the event.
The annual Youth Summit serves as a significant culmination of the Elevating Student Voices program, celebrating students’ collaboration and insights as they work towards creating more inclusive and supportive school communities.