High School Diversity Training

About 80 high school students in the Kalamazoo area attended a program providing training in diversity and leadership at Mattawan's Adventure Center at Pretty Lake. According to Lori Kurtzman of the Kalamazoo Gazette,

. . . they spent three days and two nights chatting about how to get along in school. They made long lists and beaded necklaces. They sang corny songs by the campfire and cried over their insecurities.

And, Kurtzman reports that results have been achieved.

Some have started pointing out when their classmates are being judgmental. A few students say they've stopped using the word "gay" when they mean "stupid."

It's important to make note when education projects prove to be effective. Of course, it's also important to note that the same results probably would have been achieved by showing the students a dictionary and devoting one class period to a sing-along. It would have been cheaper too.