Students facilitate diversity dialogue
The concept of freedom of speech serves as a fundamental democratic tenet and remains a subject of intense debate. Arranging and leading such charged discussions, especially with varying perspectives, can be challenging. The St. Mark’s Dallas Area Diversity Youth Organization (DADYO) took on the task Oct. 18, as they organized an event for over 130 Dallas area students.
“DADYO provides an opportunity for entirely student-led discussions on diversity in a student space,” said Lorre Allen, director of Inclusion, Diversity and Human Resources. “This event required Marksmen to define what the topic would be [freedom of speech], determine the questions around the discussion and facilitate discussions.”
A founding member of DADYO 18 years ago, St. Mark’s, along with several other area schools, organizes and hosts diversity-focused events throughout the year. The organization is part of the St. Mark’s Inclusion and Diversity Leadership Council (IDLC). For this event, Upper School Marksmen organized the students into smaller groups to encourage greater participation. Discussions lasted for over an hour and a half.
“We formed thought-provoking questions designed to challenge attendees’ beliefs regarding the right to offend or censure those with controversial opinions,” Ethan Singleton ’24 said. “I enjoyed witnessing guests’ genuine enthusiasm and passionate engagement with our discussion questions. My motivation for joining SMDADYO stemmed from a desire to empower voices often underrepresented and silenced in today’s quick-to-condemn society. In DADYO, I foster a greater sense of understanding and tolerance.”
The entire experience is part of educating the ‘whole boy.’ Marksmen practice organizational and leadership skills, including how to listen and understand other perspectives, even those that challenge their own.
“I joined DADYO because I wanted to learn about the different experiences and backgrounds of my classmates and how those affect their way of thinking,” Patrick Flanagan ’24 said. “I honestly wasn’t sure how this discussion would go as I had never led a DADYO meeting. But, our conversation ended up being like a Harkness table English class. It came naturally for me to lead the discussion because I’ve participated in discussions like that every day for the last four years.”
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“DADYO provides an opportunity for entirely student-led discussions on diversity in a student space,” said Lorre Allen, director of Inclusion, Diversity and Human Resources. “This event required Marksmen to define what the topic would be [freedom of speech], determine the questions around the discussion and facilitate discussions.”
A founding member of DADYO 18 years ago, St. Mark’s, along with several other area schools, organizes and hosts diversity-focused events throughout the year. The organization is part of the St. Mark’s Inclusion and Diversity Leadership Council (IDLC). For this event, Upper School Marksmen organized the students into smaller groups to encourage greater participation. Discussions lasted for over an hour and a half.
“We formed thought-provoking questions designed to challenge attendees’ beliefs regarding the right to offend or censure those with controversial opinions,” Ethan Singleton ’24 said. “I enjoyed witnessing guests’ genuine enthusiasm and passionate engagement with our discussion questions. My motivation for joining SMDADYO stemmed from a desire to empower voices often underrepresented and silenced in today’s quick-to-condemn society. In DADYO, I foster a greater sense of understanding and tolerance.”
The entire experience is part of educating the ‘whole boy.’ Marksmen practice organizational and leadership skills, including how to listen and understand other perspectives, even those that challenge their own.
“I joined DADYO because I wanted to learn about the different experiences and backgrounds of my classmates and how those affect their way of thinking,” Patrick Flanagan ’24 said. “I honestly wasn’t sure how this discussion would go as I had never led a DADYO meeting. But, our conversation ended up being like a Harkness table English class. It came naturally for me to lead the discussion because I’ve participated in discussions like that every day for the last four years.”
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SM DADYO members present event posters.
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Caleb Maddox ’24 outlines questions for consideration.
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Students discuss the topic in Nearburg Hall.
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St. Mark’s School of Texas
10600 Preston Road
Dallas, Texas 75230
214-346-8000
Dallas, Texas 75230
214-346-8000
About Us
St. Mark’s School of Texas is a private, nonsectarian college-preparatory boys’ day school for students in grades 1 through 12, located in Dallas, Texas. St. Mark’s aims to prepare young men to assume leadership and responsibility in a competitive and changing world.
St. Mark’s does not discriminate in the administration of its admission and education policies on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin.
St. Mark’s does not discriminate in the administration of its admission and education policies on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin.
