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Diversity & Inclusion

Diversity Leadership Summit

Annual Diversity Leadership Summit

BBHS hosts an annual one-day student-centered Diversity Leadership Summit (DLS) each spring. This event is for students interested in developing their leadership skills through understanding diversity, equity, and identity. Participating students have the opportunity to learn from leaders and educators through keynote speakers, engaging in workshops, and connecting with peers. This summit is designed for ALL high school students from all grades and all backgrounds. 
Save the Date for the 2023 DLS Conference! Saturday, March 25, 2023, at Bishop Blanchet High school. 

Contact Ms. Lopez Bactol, Ms. Meaux, or Ms. Valenzuela Cardin with questions.

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  • DLS 2023

    • Bishop Blanchet High School invites you to the 5th Annual Diversity Leadership Summit
    • When: Saturday, March 25, 2023, 8:30 AM-5 PM 
    • Where: Bishop Blanchet High School
    • Who: 9th-12th graders who are interested in developing their leadership skills by way of exploring topics around racial identity, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
    • Space is limited! Each school may send up to 15 students

DLS 2022 - KEYNOTE SPEAKER CHRISTIAN PAGE

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  • DLS 2022

    Bishop Blanchet High School invites you to the 4th Annual Diversity Leadership Summit

    When: Saturday, March 26, 2022, 9-4 PM 
     
    Where: Bishop Blanchet High School

    Who: 9th-12th graders who are interested in developing their leadership skills by way of exploring topics around racial identity, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
     
    Space is limited! Each school may send up to 10 students.

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  • DLS 2021

    Bishop Blanchet High School invites you to the 3rd Annual Diversity Leadership Summit

    When: Friday, March 12, 9-3 PM 
     
    Where: Online

    Who: 9th-12th graders who are interested in developing their leadership skills by way of exploring topics around racial identity, diversity, equity and inclusion.
     
    Space is limited! Each school may send up to 10 students.

    Registration opens on January 26, 2021
     

  • 2021 Keynote Speakers

    Christian Paige is an Emmy nominated spoken word poet, a passionate equity advocate, and an unapologetic lover of Tacoma Washington. Christian uses his talents not only in the community but also in the classroom. From teaching poetry and language arts to consulting and leading professional development, Paige has dedicated himself to fight against the inequities and barriers placed in front of students in education. His poems “Trees” and “Be the content” have received national attention and Paige plans to release his first volume of poetry in 2020. Christian has spoken at Courageous Conversations about Race National Summit, The Forum for Theological Exploration, Strive Together National Convening, WASAC Pave the Way Conference, North Puget Sound Race Conference, Washington State Governors Prayer Breakfast and multiple high schools and universities across the Pacific Northwest. Paige believes in the importance of storytelling and oral tradition and lives by the words of the great poet Maya Angelou, “They will forget what you said, They will forget what you did, but they will NEVER forget what you made them feel”.

    Erin Jones has been involved in and around schools for the past 26 years. She has taught in a variety of environments, from predominantly Black to predominantly White to some of the most diverse communities in the nation. Erin received an award as the Most Innovative Foreign Language Teacher in 2007, while working at in Tacoma and was the Washington State Milken Educator of the Year in 2008, while teaching in Spokane. She received recognition at the White House in March of 2013 as a "Champion of Change” and was Washington State PTA’s “Outstanding Educator” in 2015. After serving as a classroom teacher and instructional coach, Erin worked as an executive for two State Superintendents. Erin left the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction in 2012 to work in college-access at the school district level. She left her job to run as a candidate for State Superintendent and was the first Black woman to run for any state office in Washington state, a race she lost by a mere 1%. Erin has 3 adult children - a daughter who graduated from Central Washington University and works for the Equity in Education Coalition, a son who recently graduated from Harvey Mudd College and just started grad school at USC and one who coaches high school football with her husband of 25 years, James, who is a teacher and football coach in North Thurston School District.

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  • DLS 2019

    At Bishop Blanchet High School’s Second Annual Diversity Leadership Summit, students spent time during this transformative two-day workshop with facilitator Christian Paige.

    At Blanchet, we always talk about “going outside of our comfort zone” and “building community.” DLS was exactly the opportunity to do both! This DLS theme was Camp CommUNITY. In the most literal sense, we hoped to help build communication skills (“comm”) while also providing the tools to grow in solidarity and unity with peers. 

    The time at the DLS was engaging, fun, and at times, challenging. We encouraged students to bring their full selves to each day of the workshops and spent time exploring all of those emotions. We asked that students remain mindful of the energy they brought to the DLS and contributed to an environment that made all participants feel they could be themselves, ask questions, be vulnerable, and have an opportunity to learn new things. 

    We had a great time learning with you all at DLS and seeing the amazing things you will do with what you learn.
     
    Be true. Be kind. Be BRAVE!
    #DLS2019 #DLSCampCommUNITY

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  • DLS 2018

    DLS 2018 was Bishop Blanchet High School’s first Diversity Leadership Summit!

    Students participated in experiential workshops that called for reflection on race and culture and how their lived experience has shaped their beliefs. Students examined themselves, their relationships with others, and how they were brave in shaping the culture around them. Hence, the 2018 DLS theme was: Me. You. Us.

    Be true. Be kind. Be BRAVE!

List of 3 members.

  • Photo of Laura Meaux

    Laura Meaux 

    Director of Community Engagement and Leadership Development
    206-527-7736
  • Photo of Janah Valenzuela Cardin

    Janah Valenzuela Cardin 

    Director of International Student Services
    206-527-7718
  • Photo of Sofia Lopez Bactol

    Sofia Lopez Bactol 

    Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Theology Instructor

Bishop Blanchet High School

8200 Wallingford Ave. N.
Seattle, WA 98103

Phone: 206-527-7711
Fax: 206-527-7712
Attendance: 206-985-3750
Located in  Seattle, Washington, Bishop Blanchet High School is a private, coed Catholic school for grades 9-12. Students benefit from a challenging college preparatory academic program, campus ministry, fine and performing arts, competitive athletics and a wide selection of extracurricular activities.
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