The school hosted the eighth annual Pollyanna Conference on Oct. 19, where representatives from 25 different middle and high schools around the Greater Los Angeles area gathered to discuss diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) goals through presentations, panels and workshops. The theme for the event was “Exploring Gender in 2024 and Beyond.”
Student Leadership for Inclusion, Diversity and Equality (SLIDE) Co-Chair Dylan Wuo ’25 said he thought that the conference highlighted the variety of student gender identities and how to integrate the evolved definition of gender into the school environment.
“The theme for the conference was gender, and how those of different genders are able to feel a sense of belonging within the school community,” Wuo said. “We dove into different experiences from co-ed schools and single-gender schools. One thing that we discussed with other students is if the terms ‘co-ed’ and ‘all girls/boys’ schools are appropriate because there are transgender students as well.”
SLIDE Co-Chair Clara Berg ’25 said the students split up into groups to give presentations to the educators and that hearing other student perspectives allowed her to consider experiences beyond her own.
“One of the groups performed a skit about how language can impact genderqueer students, which was eye-opening for me, and many others who do not experience the same daily challenges as nonbinary folks,” Berg said. “Seeing a school day from their perspective helped me to identify the ways that I could improve the way that I address people and help genderqueer students feel more included.”
Wuo said he finds value in collaboration and hearing input from a wide range of voices on matters of inclusivity and community growth.
“I think that it is important to hold conferences like this because it can reveal aspects of other schools’ [DEI programs] that may be either missing or highlighted in our own,” Wuo said. “This conference involves alumni, administration, teachers and students, so being able for everyone to share different sides of their takeaways is something I feel is good for the growth of our school as a whole.”
Berg said she appreciated the welcoming attitude and communal approach to growth present at the conference.
“I believe the best way to approach discussions around DEI is by inviting people of intentionally different backgrounds and setting a baseline of respect,” Berg said. “One of SLIDE’s core principles in having courageous conversations is assuming good intentions, which means believing that people in a discussion usually aren’t trying to be hurtful. It’s helped me be more attentive to those who have different beliefs than me, and made me more open-minded.”
Middle School Dean and DEI Coordinator Jon Carroll said the structure of the event allows for teamwork and diversity of thought.
“I always go into the Pollyanna Conference excited about the work that will take place on our campus amongst our peer schools,” Carroll said. “All who attend will be enriched by engaging in conversation first in their breakout groups and then in school specific groups,” Carroll said.
This year’s keynote speaker was Lily Zheng, a DEI strategist and consultant. Berg said Zheng’s speech was promising regarding future change.
“I thought having a speaker was a helpful touchstone for all of us at the conference, and Lily Zheng provided a personal and thoughtful account of their own experiences while drawing attention to how gender constructs affect our daily lives,” Berg said. “At the end of the day, the Harvard-Westlake pod met up, and I got to participate in a discussion with administrators, teachers, alumni and parents reflecting on the conference and how we can improve gender inclusivity at Harvard-Westlake. Hearing the people who make up our community speak with such compassion and self-awareness reminded me that we all have invaluable voices in.”
