Issue link: https://trevordayschool.uberflip.com/i/1518706
– Feature Article – A Stellar 2024 MIOW Day Celebrates 20 Years by Morgan Porzio, Director of Marketing and Communications, with an essay by Elisabeth Becker-Topkara '02 "Right from the start, MIOW Day was your day—a student-centered day." Joseph Ulitto, Upper School French Teacher and Middle and Upper School DEI Director, befittingly recounted the event's history to students at MIOW (Multiple Identities, One World) Day 2024. The February 14 event marked the 20th anniversary of this signature educational experience. This year's MIOW Day offered a full day for all Upper School students (grades 9–12) and a single afternoon workshop for 8th graders. Trevor's MIOW Club predates MIOW Day. Long-time faculty members Blanca Llaurado, Upper School Spanish Teacher, and Mr. Ulitto were approached in the 1990s to initiate and lead a student diversity and multicultural club. By 2004 the MIOW Club was of modest size but big ambition. That year the student members presented the idea to have a workshop day dedicated to DEI issues led by students and faculty. They originally called it Awareness Day. Early in the event's history, workshops were themed, but that changed over time to expand to more voices and new perspectives. Mr. Ulitto echoed many when he said he was "very proud of MIOW and MIOW Day. It is one of the longest-running clubs and traditions in the Upper School." The day offered a robust schedule of connection, education, and revelation. Following a community breakfast, programming officially kicked into gear with an opening ceremony in which Koreé Hood, Assistant Head of School for Inclusion, Equity, and Community Affairs, urged students to approach the day with respect and enthusiasm for the opportunity to learn something new. Mr. Ulitto then introduced the day's norms: respect, openness, and honesty. He said, "If we carry these in our hearts and heads, we can get the most out of this day." He thanked and celebrated student workshop leaders, reminding all participants that "they are taking a risk and putting themselves out there." A keynote speaker followed, after which students and faculty headed to their first pre-registered workshop. Grade-level lunches offered an opportunity to debrief and recharge, before it was time to head to the second workshop. The day ended with closing speakers. 28 / TREVOR MAGAZINE WINTER 2023–24