By Jazlynn Quinn and Ansuya Somashekar, Both Class of 2025

Voices in Action Day was a daylong event inspired by the work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., aimed at engaging the student body in activities surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). The event was centered on the principles of learning, connection, and action. On January 27, EPS welcomed over a dozen outside presenters to lead workshops, host talks, and screen films, all designed to foster deeper conversations about identity, activism, and community.

Prior to the event, students had the opportunity to sign up for workshops that aligned with their interests, allowing them to take ownership of their learning. Additionally, each student selected an essential questions group—a small discussion-based group dedicated to exploring one of the three core principles of the day in greater depth.

The day began with a powerful keynote address from Rosetta Lee, a diversity practitioner and educator at Seattle Girls’ School. She spoke about the power each individual has in shaping their own narrative and the ways in which our actions impact the stories of others. Following the keynote, students convened in their essential questions groups to reflect on Lee’s message. While some groups engaged in open discussion, others participated in writing and drawing activities, creating an interactive and personalized approach to DEI learning.

After attending two workshop sessions, students reconvened in their essential questions groups to share insights from their experiences and discuss ways to apply their newfound knowledge to improve the Eastside Prep community. The day served as a meaningful step toward fostering a more inclusive and engaged student body.

Our Experiences at SDLC

Jazlynn: The Student Diversity Leadership Conference (SDLC) is a nationwide event hosted by the National Association of Independent Schools. It provides student leaders from across the country with the opportunity to gather, learn, and discuss DEI work in an immersive, supportive environment.

In our first year attending SDLC, Ansuya and I were struck by the incredible sense of community within the conference. The workshops and advisories fostered a space where we felt safe and empowered to share our experiences. That feeling stayed with us long after the conference ended, making us eager to return the following year.

When we attended SDLC for the second time, we were greeted with that same sense of belonging—a feeling we had deeply missed in the months between conferences. Inspired by the energy of the facilitators and the openness of the discussions, we began to wonder: how could we bring this experience back to EPS? With the support of Ms. McKinney and the student leaders who came before us, we set out to create our own version of SDLC at home.

For me, SDLC was shaped by two key elements: the community and the facilitators. When I first attended, I was nervous—I didn’t know what to expect, and the only person I knew was Ansuya. I understood that I was there to engage in conversations about DEI, but I wasn’t sure if I would feel comfortable doing so. However, once we settled into our advisory groups, we made one thing clear: what was shared in that room, stayed in that room. I had heard that phrase a million times before, but this time, people made a conscious effort to uphold that agreement. That made all the difference—it transformed the space into one where I felt safe to be vulnerable and honest.

Ansuya also found that the facilitators played a huge role in shaping the experience. They didn’t just lead discussions; they created an environment where students could engage deeply, ask difficult questions, and challenge themselves. Their ability to foster an inclusive and engaging space left a lasting impression, and we knew that if we wanted Voices in Action Day to be successful, we had to create that same sense of trust and openness at EPS.

Why Did We Want to Create VIA Day?

At EPS, student leaders—including affinity groups and club leads—are regularly engaged in DEI conversations. However, these discussions often remain within small circles and do not always extend to the wider student body. We wanted to change that.

Ansuya: In my sophomore year, I was a member of Allies for Equity, a club dedicated to DEI work. At the time, the club was struggling to regain momentum after COVID. With two leads set to graduate, the three non-senior members, including myself, began searching for ways to reinvigorate the club. While sifting through old OneNote files, we discovered plans for an MLK Day event—a day of workshops and outside presenters that had been canceled due to a snow day.

After our first year at SDLC, Jazlynn and I, along with the other four students in our cohort, presented our key takeaways at an assembly. I was nervous about speaking in front of my peers, especially since I was sharing a deeply personal exercise from the conference: a visualization activity in which we connected with our younger selves. However, the overwhelming support and positive feedback I received reassured me. It showed me that sharing my experiences could resonate with others and spark important conversations.

After two years at SDLC, Jazlynn and I finally saw the opportunity to turn our vision into reality. Drawing from the work of past EPS student leaders and the inspiration we had gained from SDLC, we reserved a day on the calendar for Voices in Action Day. Our goal was to bring the transformative power of SDLC to EPS—to create a space where students could explore DEI topics from different angles and recognize that these issues impact everyone in our community.

The Planning Process

Planning an event of this scale was no small feat. First, we formed a committee of dedicated students. While the initial group was large, a core team emerged, consisting of the 8th Grade Leadership Lab, Ansuya and I, and juniors Aragson and Emma. These students remained committed throughout the entire process.

One of our biggest challenges was securing workshops that students would find engaging. We knew that in order to make this day a success, we needed high-quality presenters. Through our connections in the community, we were able to bring in a fantastic lineup of speakers, ensuring a wide range of workshop topics and formats for students to choose from.

Our Experiences at VIA

Jazlynn: For me, Voices in Action Day felt like a continuation of what I had experienced at SDLC. What I loved most about SDLC was the ability to share my thoughts and perspectives while feeling truly safe in the space. My essential questions group at VIA reflected that same atmosphere—we engaged in deep discussions where everyone put in the effort to listen and create an environment of trust and connection.

Ansuya: In my two years at SDLC, I was disappointed with the facilitation of the South Asian affinity group, finding that it did not frame serious discussions and created a host of exclusionary dynamics. At Voices in Action, however, one of my favorite experiences was the Caste—Systemic Graded Inequality workshop facilitated by a South Asian teacher from a school in the area. It was exciting to finally have adult representation and firsthand expertise about facets of South Asian identity that are difficult to discuss but deeply impact the diaspora. I saw this excitement reflected in the frenetic energy and rapid-fire discussions of the other students, and it was fulfilling to finally engage in the work I felt was missing at SDLC.

I found that the honest and vulnerable conversations I was able to have during Voices in Action Day mirrored my experiences at SDLC. Although I knew many of the students in my workshops and essential question group from seeing them around the school, it was exciting to get to know my peers in a different context.

Looking Ahead

Ansuya: EPS has always been a place for learning, connection, and action, and Voices in Action Day showcased those values in a tangible way. In ninth grade, Jazlynn could never have imagined that EPS would be in the place it is today.

This event allowed students to come together to learn about topics like women in STEM, storytelling through art, and the history of the Seattle Black Panthers. It created space for students to connect with new people, engage in discussions they might not have had otherwise, and reflect on the actions they can take to make a difference.

Even though we won’t be here next year, we hope to see this event continue. We hope to see even greater student involvement in planning and leading workshops. We hope to see Voices in Action Day evolve and expand. But most of all, we hope to see the EPS community continue to grow, fostering a culture where DEI work is embraced by all.