The Villager
February 5, 2004

by Geneva Castro Lichtenstein

"By being here today, you?ve made yourself a part of the solution," keynote speaker Emilio Delgado told his teenage audience at the 11th annual Cherry Creek Diversity Conference Jan. 31. And for that, "I applaud and salute you."

Delgado is probably better known as Luis the fix-it man, husband of Maria, and father of Gabriela, from "Sesame Street." Cherry Creek High School once again hosted the annual diversity conference inviting 85 different schools from Colorado and as far away as Nebraska and Arizona. Hundreds of students and their sponsors combed the campus Saturday participating in discussion groups and attending workshops on topics whose common themes surrounded diversity issues.

"Because we haven't run out of ideas" on handling diversity in our schools, life and community - "just tolerating is not enough" - (that) is why we're here today," Delgado emphasized to his packed auditorium audience.

"You and I may see the same thing in totally different ways," he explained to the crowd. Those different perspectives, how we "perceive the world," can be "limiting, negative false beliefs about ourselves and others. Don't give in to them but break them to appreciate the differences in order to see each other more clearly. The key to the breaking down of barriers is a positive healthy self-esteem. If we don't like ourselves, we search for fault in others."

He then asked to ask themselves today while at the conference and tomorrow when in the community and at school: "In what ways can we begin to break down barriers?"

This year's conference showed signs that the seeds planted 11 years ago with the help and organization of Janet Sammons are now sprouting. Sammons is co-coordinator of the conference along with Michelle Voeller-Corriell who came to Cherry Creek High School this year from Eaglecrest High School.

Student-led discussions were no longer silent but engaging by all participants. Controversial topics such as teen pregnancy, racism, discrimination and getting involved got students from the small rural towns, affluent suburbs, and urban neighborhoods to share ideas and opinions in a constructive forum.

Heated debates swirled from the discussions surrounding derogatory words used by today's teens and identifying one's culture. Frustrated and feeling alone, young people felt comfortable speaking out about the adults in their lives letting them down in times of need. Concern and hope for the future was the underlying tone for all.

Dr. Monte Moses, superintendent for the Cherry Creek District, opened the ceremony with words of encouragement and support. Kay Fair and Wendy DeBell from the school board provided their support throughout the opening morning ceremonies.

Every year a student is awarded a $500 scholarship for his/her care and concern for diversity issues within his/her community. Each applicant must be a returning student to the conference and an active participant in his/her school community. This year's scholarship recipient was Tammy Segura of Greeley West High School. Tammy has shown a passion for leadership. She is a member of her school's Diversity Club, involved with LULAC (a Latina leadership national organization), participates as a Links leader and is co-chair of this year's conference. Tammy said she "wants to make a difference" and knows it only takes one person.

[end]

© 2004 The Villager. All rights reserved.