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Lacordaire Joins Peer Schools at Far Brook Diversity Conference
Lacordaire recently joined fourteen peer schools, including St. Peter’s Prep, Oak Knoll, Kent Place, MKA, and Morristown Beard, at the Far Brook School Diversity Conference, Widening the Lens, focused on advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in education.
Lacordaire was honored to be invited to attend the Far Brook School Diversity Conference, Widening the Lens, graciously hosted by Far Brook and attended by about 14 peer schools, including St. Peter’s Prep, Oak Knoll, Kent Place, Montclair Kimberley Academy, and Morristown Beard. We participated as a full cross-section of our community, with teachers, parents, students, administrators, and staff coming together to form a “pod,” each member contributing a unique perspective shaped by their role within our school.
Throughout the day, participants branched into smaller discussion pods to engage in thoughtful dialogue around current barriers, strategies, and challenges related to diversity, equity, and inclusion in schools. These conversations allowed us to reflect honestly on where we are, while learning from the experiences and insights of other school communities.
One of the most powerful moments of the conference was the student panel. Students are at the core of everything we do and everything we strive to build, and hearing directly from them reinforced the importance of centering student voices in this work. The panel included two of our own students, Suri Williamson '27 and Veronica Venegas '26, who proudly represented the Lacordaire community. They shared personal reflections as well as the experiences of their peers, speaking with clarity, confidence, and authenticity.
The audience was deeply moved by the student group’s thoughtful insights. Students spoke about the importance of affinity groups, the need for greater representation within faculty and staff, and their awareness of the complex nuances of the world they are navigating today. Many expressed a desire for a larger platform within their schools to openly discuss current events and issues that impact their lives.
The panel was moderated by educator and outreach specialist Rosetta Lee, whose presence was invaluable. Even within a short timeframe, she skillfully encouraged, guided, and affirmed the students, creating a space where their voices were heard and respected.
To close the conference, school communities reconvened within their original pods to share key takeaways and begin brainstorming future actions. We left the day inspired, reflective, and energized, committed to continuing this important work and to widening the lens through which we listen, learn, and lead together.
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Throughout the day, participants branched into smaller discussion pods to engage in thoughtful dialogue around current barriers, strategies, and challenges related to diversity, equity, and inclusion in schools. These conversations allowed us to reflect honestly on where we are, while learning from the experiences and insights of other school communities.
One of the most powerful moments of the conference was the student panel. Students are at the core of everything we do and everything we strive to build, and hearing directly from them reinforced the importance of centering student voices in this work. The panel included two of our own students, Suri Williamson '27 and Veronica Venegas '26, who proudly represented the Lacordaire community. They shared personal reflections as well as the experiences of their peers, speaking with clarity, confidence, and authenticity.
The audience was deeply moved by the student group’s thoughtful insights. Students spoke about the importance of affinity groups, the need for greater representation within faculty and staff, and their awareness of the complex nuances of the world they are navigating today. Many expressed a desire for a larger platform within their schools to openly discuss current events and issues that impact their lives.
The panel was moderated by educator and outreach specialist Rosetta Lee, whose presence was invaluable. Even within a short timeframe, she skillfully encouraged, guided, and affirmed the students, creating a space where their voices were heard and respected.
To close the conference, school communities reconvened within their original pods to share key takeaways and begin brainstorming future actions. We left the day inspired, reflective, and energized, committed to continuing this important work and to widening the lens through which we listen, learn, and lead together.
Our Mission
Empowering students to become confident decision makers and responsible leaders in a community of belonging, rooted in the Catholic Dominican tradition
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