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Student DEIB discussion led by Lexi Stewart '15

Students convened last Thursday night for a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) discussion led by Lexi Stewart ’15 in response to a recent GAzette article. The conversation centered around where we are as a community with our DEIB work and where we need to be in the future. While Lexi has been supporting Gould's DEIB efforts and meeting with students via Zoom calls, this was her first trip back to campus and Maine since she graduated seven years ago.
 
“I was able to meet some students that I had never seen on any of the calls who were willing to give me some insight on how things were going, which is something I would have never gotten from a simple zoom call,” said Lexi. “I’ve gone through what they’re going through and I understand how confusing and hard it can be to put those emotions and feelings into words and express it in a positive way...I didn’t really have anyone who looked like me or who could understand what type of emotional and mental pain that can bring to someone who’s still trying to figure out where they fit in.”

Lexi was a remarkable facilitator and struck just the right balance between offering her experience while giving the students space to share. She also felt it was important to let students know that she's in this for the long haul.

“If I had to pinpoint one thing that I wanted [students] to take away from the meeting it's that I’m always here to listen. I’m not just a face that pops on zoom every now and then. If they have something that’s bothering them and they feel like I’m the person...to listen and hear them out, then I’ll do just that.”
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Private High School for Boys and Girls | Grades 9-12, Postgraduate and Winter Term for Grade 8 | Boarding School in the Mountains of Maine

Gould Academy guides students to be creative, courageous and resilient and to lead lives of fulfillment and purpose.