Saint Peter High School is excited to announce a special day dedicated to celebrating the rich tapestry of human diversity, focusing on our physical and mental abilities and strengths. On Friday, Dec. 12, the entire SPHS student body will participate in a full day of engaging presentations, dynamic activities, and inspiring stories designed to broaden perspectives and strengthen our community.
Our Focus: Seeing Strengths, Building Unity
The goal of this program is simple: to foster a school environment where every student feels seen, valued, and understood. We believe that a strong community is built on appreciating the unique capabilities, abilities, and potential—the possibilities—that each person brings. By shining a light on physical and mental diversity, organizers for this event aim to:
● Promote Awareness: Help students recognize and appreciate the many ways people
navigate and experience the world.
● Celebrate Capabilities: Shift the focus from perceived limitations to recognizing the
incredible talents, unique perspectives, and varied contributions of people from all
backgrounds.
● Build Empathy: Create meaningful opportunities for connection and understanding that
naturally lead to kindness and mutual respect.
Addressing Concerns: A Focus on Connection, Not Anxiety
We understand that introducing a topic like this might raise concerns about causing students "diversity anxiety" or exposing anyone to ridicule. We are working to make sure this day is designed to be uplifting, positive, and safe for all participants.
● Positive Framing: The entire theme, "Capabilities, Abilities, Possibilities...Unity is
Joy," centers on recognizing and celebrating strengths. The focus will be on shared
humanity and unity alongside acknowledging the diverse range of perspectives and
abilities that make us all unique.
● No Pressure to Perform: The program is designed for awareness and learning, not for
personal disclosure. Students will be participating in group activities and presentations,
focusing on the content and the presenters' stories, not on their own personal abilities.
● Professional Expertise: Every presenter—from educators to professional groups—is
skilled in communicating their message with sensitivity and focusing on inclusion and
positive impact. The goal is to reduce fear through understanding, not to create it.
● Modeling Respect: Like any day at St. Peter High School, we try to make sure that students respect one another and behave accordingly. Students know about the abilities
we all have and can gain from seeing and hearing from people with diverse abilities who
are living successful lives, participating in society, and building strong relationships.
Highlights of the Day's Sessions
Students will rotate through a variety of full school and group presentations as well as
interactive sessions. We’ve invited presenters known for their active and engaging
presentations and encourage all our presenters to make their topics as engaging as possible.
Some of our confirmed participants include:
● MNprov: An improvisational troupe of neurodivergent people and their allies, using
comedy and acting to explore connection and communication in a fun, engaging way.
● A Keynote Address from Lifeworks: An organization dedicated to helping people with
disabilities thrive in work and community life.
● Representatives from Special Olympics: Sharing the power of sport and community in celebrating human potential.
● SMSU Wheelchair Basketball Team: A dynamic demonstration showing skill, teamwork, and ability in action.
● Jules Edwards: a board member of the Minnesota Office of Ombudsperson for American Indian Families and co-founder of Minnesota Autistic Alliance. As an autistic Anishinaabe author, advocate, and parent, she provides a personal and powerful perspective.
● Community Educators and Artists: Sessions led by professors, educators, and artists who will share their expertise and personal stories related to physical and mental diversity.
● Coffee Cart! St. Peter’s own purveyors of treats are gearing up to help with snacks and refreshments.
The plan is to also have Service Dogs visit SPHS who play an important role in the lives of many people with disabilities.
We have received encouragement and excited responses from the organizations we are partnering with and are confident that this will be a day where we can all learn to see the world from different perspectives and find that we can all celebrate our unity and take joy in our abilities.
Financial support for this event comes from the Good Neighbor Diversity Council and the Mankato Area Foundation.