The Middle School Social Justice Retreat is a day for students to learn, reflect, and explore their identities and their role in creating a more just, safe, and accessible world. This annual event leverages engaging speakers and hands-on workshops to help students develop leadership skills to use in and out of the classroom. It has become a staple in the Beaver Middle School experience, returning year after year with different programming and topics. So… how did it all start?
When Michelles Wildes–Beaver Science Teacher and former Associate Director of the Hiatt center–spotted a lack of social justice programming in the Middle School, she began to consider how to address it. To gauge interest in a potential event, Michelle approached Ajani Otieno-Rudek ’16 when he was a senior to see if social justice programming in the Middle School was something he would have benefitted from. “One of the people I consulted with most was AJ, who now works at Beaver’s tech desk,” Michelle says. “I spoke with him and asked if he would have been ready to have conversations about race and identity when he was in middle school. When he said yes, I realized we had an opportunity.”
We wanted to provide this resource to Middle School students to make them feel like they belong. We wanted all kids and all identities to feel seen and heard.
Michelle Wildes
When creating the Social Justice Retreat, Michelle and Liz Latour, Director of the Hiatt Center, collaborated to map out goals for the event. “We knew we wanted to open up a dialogue between students, and we wanted them to feel heard and seen” Michelle states. Michelle and Liz imagined the day of programming as an opportunity for Middle School students to use their voices in a meaningful way. Keynote speakers and workshop facilitators were chosen on the basis of who would be able to share their stories in a way that could inspire students to do the same.
As the Social Justice Retreat grew, so did its impact. The Retreat became an essential community-building opportunity for the Middle School, allowing students to engage with one another and connect on a deeper level. “It’s a good thing for students to be discussing these topics at a young age, as it teaches them the vocabulary and comfortability needed to become leaders when they get older,” Michelle mentions. The Retreat’s impact can be seen in the Upper School students that eagerly return each year to volunteer at the Retreat. Serving as facilitators and speakers, these students reflect the willingness to lead that the Social Justice Retreat works to instill in students.
I was nervous at first, because the event could have bombed. I was happy with the 20 students that signed up for the first year. Then the next year, 30 students signed up. Word was spreading that it was a fun retreat. We thought we would have to max it out at 50 students, but each year it just got bigger and bigger.
Michelle Wildes
The Social Justice Retreat has allowed students to learn about leadership and civic engagement through multiple lenses. Students have written and performed spoken word poetry, collaborated with Upper School students to define their values, created art as a means of activism, and heard from countless speakers over the Retreat’s ten year history. Each year offers new and exciting opportunities that are carefully curated by the Hiatt Center team.
Over 100 students plan to attend the 9th annual Social Justice Retreat on Friday, January 31. This year’s Retreat will center around the theme “Heart IN the Matter,” a call to always remember that behind all issues of justice or conflict, there are real human beings.
Watching the Social Justice Retreat grow gives me such a sense of happiness, joy, and accomplishment. It’s so great to see that it’s still going on and getting bigger and better each year.
Michelle Wildes
The Hiatt Center is excited to celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2025. To celebrate 20 years of Social Impact, we’ll be diving deep into the Hiatt Center’s history, programming, partnerships, and future plans all year long. Follow along by checking out @hiattcenter on Instagram!