Student Leaders Enhance Connections at Breaking Down the Walls

Westmont High School student Kaylee Garcia played a pivotal role in fostering connections among peers during the Breaking Down the Walls (BDTW) event held on August 29, 2023. Garcia was one of 25 student leaders from the Silicon Valley Career Technical Education (SVCTE) center who guided over 100 students through a series of activities aimed at building meaningful relationships.

The event, organized by ignite2unite, involved a comprehensive three-hour training session for the student leaders. This preparation equipped them to effectively facilitate a full day of interactive activities focused on connection and understanding. Garcia expressed her motivation for stepping into this leadership role, stating, “I felt it was a really great opportunity to put myself out there in a way that I wasn’t really familiar with. It was a chance to get to know my peers and people that I maybe kind of recognized but never got a chance to talk to otherwise.”

Creating a Supportive Environment

The BDTW initiative is run by the Metropolitan Education District, which offers career technical education for high school students in Santa Clara County. The program aims to unite students from various courses and over 45 schools within the SVCTE system. Jesus Correa, a mobile apps and web development teacher who co-led the event, highlighted the importance of creating a collaborative environment. He stated that the primary goal of bringing in BDTW was “to create an opportunity for students from all of our different courses to come together in a meaningful way.”

Student leaders like Garcia were nominated by their teachers and staff based on their leadership potential, positivity, and willingness to support their peers. Correa emphasized the critical role these leaders played in the success of the event. “They set the tone for the activities, encouraged participation, and helped create a safe environment for honest conversations,” he noted.

The Breaking Down the Walls event not only provided students with a platform to connect but also fostered a culture of inclusivity and support within the SVCTE community. By engaging in these activities, students were able to break down barriers and establish lasting connections that extend beyond their academic settings. The initiative exemplifies the power of student leadership in enhancing community ties and promoting a supportive educational environment.