A group of Upper School students and teachers attended the Quaker Youth Leadership Conference from February 5-7, 2015. It was hosted by Tandem Friends School and Virginia Beach Friends School in Charlottesville, VA.
The theme of this year’s conference was “Art & Social Change: Inspiring Peace and Justice,” and MFS Art Teacher Michael Webster hosted a workshop titled “Street and Social Art Practices.”
“The conference was so much fun! We made tons of new friends,” said Priya Patel ’16. “We did various workshops, participated in student-led discussions, took part in a talent show, and had the chance to listen to a variety of speakers telling us how deeply art affects their lives personally.”
Students said one of their favorite parts of the conference was when David Wax Museum performed on the first night. The folk-rock band blends traditional Mexican Son music with Americana. (Fun fact: Frontman David Wax worked with the American Friends Service Committee in Mexico, and bandmate Sue Slezak attended the very first Quaker Youth Leadership Conference.)
“The speakers ranged from a photographer and a musician to an actress and a hip-hop choreographer,” said Patel. “We were also able to get close with Abington Friends School students on the long bus ride to Virginia.”
In addition, students had the opportunity to tour the University of Virginia and learn about its architecture and history.
Pictured: Upper School English Teacher Clare Mackenzie, Travis Benedict ’16, Jonathan Colon ’16, Priya Patel ’16, Jess Ferber ’17, and Middle and Upper School Art Teacher Michael Webster.