By Kristin Holtz, Staff Writer

Seven years ago, Shakopee High School counselor Paul Kelly realized his school was undergoing major changes in its student makeup.

An influx of new families to Shakopee brought a diverse range of ethnic backgrounds and experiences, changing the face of a then-predominately small-town, Caucasian student body. He established a diversity task force to help the school adjust to those changing dynamics.

Today, that task force has morphed into something different. Having erased many of the interschool problems associated with an increasingly diverse student landscape, the group, Leaders in Education and Diversity (LEAD), now sees its purpose as much broader.

“We’re trying to be leaders in diversity in the sense that we’re not trying to fix things anymore,” Kelly said. “We’re trying to take it to the next level.”

LEAD is a select group of 15 high school students chosen to help enhance the cultural climate at Shakopee High School. For the students, it’s a platform to spread a simple message: One Group. One Voice. One World.

“Diversity is important to me,” senior Ana Vergara said. “It’s important for us to show what kind of people we have in Shakopee. We have differences and stuff but in the end, we’re all alike.”

LEAD coordinates activities that educate the school about the importance of diversity, tolerance and acceptance of all people.

Senior Lowri Phengsavath said the group strives to approach diversity in a more light-hearted manner by hosting events that celebrate differences. In the past, LEAD has organized talent shows, fundraisers for world relief, an international fashion show and a family literacy night for Pearson and Sweeney elementary schools.

This month, the group is raising awareness of Black History Month. It started by sponsoring a performance from the Mixed Blood Theater on the first African-American astronaut, as well as reading quotes from well-known blacks on the morning announcements.

The members of LEAD are representative of the ethnic backgrounds and individual personalities at Shakopee High School, Kelly said. The club boasts first-generation Americans from Russia, Vietnam and Mexico, as well as African-Americans, Latinos and Caucasians. Some members are active in sports, music and school-sponsored activities, while for others LEAD is their first chance to get involved. LEAD assistant advisor Cris Oxtra said that variety brings many different perspectives to the table.

This year, advisors decided to limit the size of the group to a more manageable number of 15. Students had to apply for admission, expressing what they would bring to the group. The junior-senior mix features some returning members and some new faces, Oxtra said. All, however, are high-achievers, energetic and dedicated to being good ambassadors of diversity.

“We really made sure we got kids that our passionate about this topic,” Kelly said.

Despite reducing the number of LEAD members, the group’s activities get the entire student body involved. In November for “National Mix-It Up Day,” LEAD hosted an ice cream social in the commons area with tables set up by country to introduce students to flavors from different areas of the world.

With a renewed philosophy on leadership, the students are hoping their message expands beyond the high school, too. Shakopee as a community has become exceedingly diverse with residents of many different ethnic backgrounds speaking dozens of language. The efforts made at the high school can translate beyond the school doors into families, too, Phengsavath said.

One project LEAD members hope to start are mentorships with English-language learners. Several of the LEAD members speak another language at home and could easily relate to a newcomer. As mentors, Oxtra said the students could not only help the new student learn English, but also how to navigate the school and make friends.

Senior Thomas Nguien became involved in LEAD for this very purpose. Nguien felt grouped into small Asian ethnic set when he came to Shakopee as a freshman; he wanted to change that perception and meet people outside the set.

One of LEAD’s main goals today is to break stereotypes and encourage students to interact with people they may normally not. Vergara said it’s about integrating high school cliques. Overall, the students feel they have made good strives in building such a climate at Shakopee High School.

“I think we’ve been successful in that our goal was to bring the school together, and I think we’ve done that this year because there are kids in the school that have talked to other students they never really ever talked to before,” Phengsavath said.

“I believe our group is as important as other groups [such as Student Council or SADD] because we really want the school to come together,” Phengsavath added. “I feel what we’ve achieved this year can really open more doors for students in the upcoming years.”

This story was printed in the Feb. 26 Shakopee Valley News Saber Tracks, a monthly section that recognizes student achievement at Shakopee High School.

Kristin Holtz can be reached at (952) 345-6678 or kholtz@swpub.com.