The Student Ambassadors Program hosted its annual Multicultural Reception on Jan. 25 in Chalmers Lounge. During the event, prospective students and their parents learned about the experiences of students of color at the school.

Student Ambassadors speak with applicants and discuss diversity at reception

“Today was a really great experience because we got to learn about our culture and we got to see a lot of people of color come here,” Student Ambassador Rohan Madhogarhia ’22 said. “It was a really great experience to have that sense of community among minorities who generally don’t have this kind of voice to speak out and come together as one.”

Hosted by the student ambassadors, applicants took tours of the upper school campus, listened to a student panel, and participated in a variety of icebreakers, including blackout bingo and a rock paper scissors tournament.

“I thought that the rock paper scissors game was a really fun way to get everyone to bond together,” Student Ambassador Rhea Madhogarhia ’22 said. “I think after that game happened, everyone really connected and was more open with each other, and the environment became a lot more fun and inviting to everyone there. I thought that was a really great way to let everybody feel included.”

The Admission Office provided refreshments, including muffins, bagels, and fruit, for the applicants and student ambassadors. The majority of applicants who attended the event were prospective students applying for seventh and ninth grades.

“Something that was so great about this event is that you got to see all kinds of people of color in one community,” Student Ambassador Liana Wadhwani ’22 said.

Admission counselor Julia Kraft, who helped coordinate the event, said having this space to discuss the issues and experiences of people of color is important for applicants who are considering which school they should attend.

“Students of color have unique experiences on independent school campuses where they are in the racial or ethnic minority,” Kraft said. “We want applicants who identify as people of color to have the opportunity to hear about the lived experience of students of color at Harvard-Westlake. It is also an opportunity for applicant families to hear about our DEI [Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion] work with specific attention to how we work to make an inclusive community where every student feels an equal sense of belonging.”