This week, students in grades 4, 6, and 7 participated in a special assembly featuring the Unafaid Project, an initiative designed to help young people build the skills needed for thoughtful, brave, and respectful conversations across differences. As part of the school’s ongoing commitment to fostering dialogue, High School students in the Unafraid Student Advisory Council (USAC) have spent the year developing their understanding of what it means to listen generously, speak with intention, and approach challenging topics with openness.

Five members of the USAC led the assembly: Spencer Chaisanguanthum ‘27, Olivia Cooney ‘27, Ella Kirschner ‘28, Anushka Ring ‘27, and Cole Stopnik ‘27. Drawing on their training and experiences, they shared insights about engaging across differing viewpoints and navigating difficult conversations with empathy and confidence. Their presentation invited younger students to think about how they express themselves and how they respond to others.

One highlight of the assembly was the opportunity for students to create their own “hot takes” in response to light, discussion-based prompts. This playful approach gave students a chance to practice expressing an opinion, listening to peers, and experiencing respectful disagreement in a low-stakes environment.

The assembly offered a meaningful moment of connection across divisions and a reminder of the courage, curiosity, and compassion that guide our community’s conversations.