Heritage Panel empowers youth to create change in their schools

 Discouraging Bullying & Discrimination

YWCA Central Alabama offers the Heritage Panel Program for area middle schools and high schools. Heritage Panel starts with a fun, yet intensive two-day training during which a diverse group of 25 to 30 students and two to five teachers or administrators make a commitment to discouraging bullying, harassment and discrimination at their school.

Over the course of the training, teachers and students will discuss important but often ignored issues that affect their school experience, such as cliques, race, gender, cultural backgrounds, and exclusion. Deep discussion, fun games, and team-building exercises bring the group closer. Usually, faces in the crowd become friends by the close of the second day! 

“Heritage Panel is an ideal way to empower middle school or high school students to be leaders in making their school a more welcoming, inclusive place. Additionally, educators get crucial support and new tools to teach conflict management.”

Following the training, Heritage Panelists share what they have learned through presentations given to their classmates. Heritage Panelists share their personal experiences, and a teacher-moderated discussion with the audience follows. Students are challenged to think about how their actions affect school culture, and what steps they can take to change their school for the better.

Many schools have a Heritage Panel Club that meets regularly. Heritage Panelists become positive role models within the school and are often sought out by other students as confidants or mentors in dealing with issues at school. Presentations may also be given to an assortment of classes across grade levels and subject areas, as well as to the PTA and to community organizations. Click here for Heritage Panel Testimony.             

“Heritage Panelists are challenged to think about how their actions affect school culture, and what steps they can take to change their school for the better.”