Santa Maria Sun / School Scene

Diversity's a hot topic at Righetti High School

Students, staff, and parents participated in diversity and conflict-resolution presentations and workshops from Jan. 28 to 30 at Ernest Righetti High School.

PENNY COLLECTORS: Maricor Acosta, Mary Hernandez, Adryan Valdez, and Julian Rodriguez (pictured from left to right) from Ontiveros Elementary School helped collect pennies to donate to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. PHOTO COURTESY OF ONTIVEROS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Calvin Terrell, an expert on bullying and social justice issues, including race relations, was a featured speaker at the diversity program meant to spur discussion about violence involving ignorance and prejudice.

Students were separated into small groups and invited to be “agents of unity” across racial and cultural boundaries. Parents attended a program meant to challenge the community to choose between violence or virtue.

Terrell is the founder and lead facilitator of Social Centric, an organization based out of Phoenix, Ariz., that provides education and training to help enhance human interactions.

Righetti High School Principal Steve Molina said the information provided life-long tools for the students such as listening to others and making efforts to resolve disagreements in a responsible manner.