The NAIS Student Diversity Leadership Conference (SDLC) brings together high school students from around the world to participate in four days of discussions that revolve around inclusion and community building. This year’s theme was “Lifting as We Climb: Elevating Our Schools Through Love and Justice” and the conference took place in Denver, Colorado from Dec. 4 through Dec. 7. Each year, around six Marlborough students who participate in affinity groups apply and attend the SDLC.

While at the conference, students participate in both large group sessions and smaller group discussions, which are known as “family groups” or “home groups.” These smaller group discussions allow for a more open dialogue among students. Audrey ’28 was most excited to use these open discussion groups to hear from her peers about their differing perspectives on certain issues.

“Everyone is coming to this conference with different opinions and views on key issues, and I’m excited to engage in meaningful conversations that will broaden my perspectives,” Audrey said.

Alicia ’26, who attended the conference in 2023, agrees with Audrey and believes that each student who has an opportunity to attend the SDLC should do so.

“SDLC provided such a welcoming and supportive environment that allowed me to form meaningful connections with students from diverse backgrounds worldwide,” Alicia said.

In anticipation of this year’s conference, Lorelei ’26 was eager to become a better leader in her community by creating bonds and learning from other attendees at the conference.

“The appeal of SDLC, for me, was its emphasis on becoming better at self-reflecting, forming allies and building community as well as  the opportunity to network with other students from across the country,” Lorelei said.

For the Marlborough students who attended the SDLC, the conference gave them a chance to rethink what diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts can look like in schools. Kika ’26 attended the conference in 2023 when it was held in St. Louis and she reflected on this sentiment.

“I think there is often a perception that DEI efforts are either surface level or trite or that it’s all about wallowing in an idea of victimization, but I didn’t find that to be the case whatsoever,” Kika said. “What I remember most is the pure joy of those three days in St. Louis.”

Each year, two members of the Marlborough staculty accompany the students to the SDLC and serve as chaperones. This year, History Instructor Taryn Marshall and 10th grade Dean Ilyana Contreras chaperoned the cohort.

“To be a student of color within an independent school is a very specific experience,” Contreras said. “This conference allows our students to find commonality and difference among those who are in the same situation as them. If someone doesn’t often find themselves in a room filled with people just like them, it is a remarkable experience.”