By Sarah Westergren, Online News Editor
// With the theme Alice in (One)derland, the District Leadership Conference’s primary purpose was to unify all four schools in the district. Taking a step into the rabbit hole, students found the Acalanes big gym transformed into a dream of their own, complete with a tea party, the Mad Hatter, and life-size decorations.
Preparations began in early October for the conference, spanning over four months for the event taking place on Tuesday, Feb. 13.
“At our first meeting, we just started from scratch and brainstormed what we wanted our theme to be,” Leadership junior Avery Lyon said. “A lot of people talked about fantasy and Disneyland, so we thought Alice in (One)derland tied in both leadership and unity.”
Each Associated Student Body (ASB) officer took charge of a committee for the event, delegating five groups to focus on logistics, workshops, communications, assignments, and spirit. 12 students helped to manage these groups in addition to the ASB officers.
“It was really hard to organize a large group of people like these, especially coming back right after finals, but we were super organized and on top of things,” ASB officer and senior Lexi Fraser said.
Courtesy AHS Administration
240 students from Campolindo, Miramonte, and Los Lomas High School participated in the event, attending three workshops on different aspects of leadership, from becoming a class officer to the pros and cons of a prom/ball combination. Students hoped to leave the conference with ideas on how to improve their own schools, as well as solutions to problems on and around campus.
“I think that Acalanes did a fantastic job handling all of the students,” senior at Campolindo Izzy Artiaga said. “I liked the spirited environment that Acalanes promoted and the sense of unity.”
In addition to workshops, Leadership students participated in a range of activities, including four-quadrant dodgeball and oreo eating contests. Students also heard motivational speaker Keith Hawkins lecture on courage, perfection, and change.
“I thought the speaker was phenomenal. He really allowed us to take a step back and reevaluate ourselves,” Artiaga said.
Leadership kids also met with students of different schools that shared similar roles in ‘board-alike’ meetings.
“Something that I really got out of the conference was talking to people that are in the same position as me from different schools and learning what challenges they’ve had,” Fraser said. “We really got to brainstorm together.”
The Acalanes Rallies board then concluded the day with a wrap-up video and send-off.
“It was super successful, and I think we all feel a lot more connected,” Lyon said. “I’m excited for the events to come.”
Just as Alice woke up from her dream, schools left the conference feeling awake and ready to tackle campus life with a new perspective.