The Belonging Summit

On March 2nd, 2024, Ashley Hall — along with other schools from the Lowcountry area — participated in an annual belonging summit for students. This event marked the first student belonging summit in the state of South Carolina. Students from grades 8th-12th were invited to attend 3 informative and interactive sessions where they would learn and talk to instructors on topics relating to belonging in society. The event occurred in Ashley Hall's dining commons where breakfast and lunch were served.

The day started with registration where participants could choose two sessions to attend, 1 before lunch and 1 after lunch. The summit served as a chance for participants from different schools and places to socialize and have discussions with each other about their schools and other aspects through icebreaker sessions. After the icebreakers, participants heard from a keynote speaker about the topic of belonging in schools, how belonging starts with the individual and how to embrace your sense of identity in your schools. After the keynote message, participants went to their first session of the day. The sessions included “Embodying and Practicing Empathy", “Justice & Belonging through Slow Looking at Art”, “Living in Two Worlds as an Independent School Student”, and “Dear Teacher: Belonging in the Classroom”. In each of the informative sessions, participants were given materials and ideas that they could use to benefit their schools and themselves by feeling more comfortable in their prospective schools.

Students concluded with their second breakout session where they participated in activities and small group discussions.  At the end of the sessions, students better understood what belonging is and how it relates to themselves and in their schools.