Sophomores at Aliso Niguel High School were given the opportunity to attend an assembly hosted by international speaker, Keith Hawkins. Multiple assemblies were held throughout the week of Jan. 22 to Jan. 26, where students missed their first or second and third or fourth period for a four and a half hour assembly.
Throughout the assembly students got the chance to express their concerns and thoughts on the conditions at ANHS while their peers and staff were able to listen. Students were also able to become vulnerable within the group of students if they wanted to share a personal experience or issue they may be enduring in their life.
Alex Marquez (10) says, “The assembly really opened my perspective and it made me really realize I should be more considerate about the way I treat other people because you never know what they might be going through.”
Keith Hawkins made sure to form a comfortable and inclusive environment by sharing his own vulnerability with his audience. This helped students feel brave and encouraged enough to make their own thoughtful contributions to the assembly.
Juniors and seniors that are a part of the link crew helped host the assemblies. Alongside Keith Hawkins, they helped make the experience more exciting for sophomores by giving their own input when needed.
Noelia Rodriguez Martinez (10) states, “I had a really fun time going to the assembly because of all the activities and opportunities we got to interact with one another. I was able to get closer with people I didn’t know before because of that.”
Keith Hawkins encouraged people to interact with strangers through activities which ignited multiple new friendships for students. Creating new connections at school for students helps motivate and inspire them to attend and participate while they are in class.
Being able to express emotional problems and receive advice or support from your peers is essential in creating a healthy environment for students to thrive.
During the assembly, many students were able to openly cry or console one another because of the impact Keith Hawkins was able to make on them. It helped teach students that showing their emotions is beneficial for their mental health and they can receive the support they need by sharing it.
The lessons taught by Keith Hawkins were so impactful for students that leaving the assembly many of them were able to gain a wider perspective and greater attitude facing forward in their lives.
Not only did it benefit the students at ANHS, but staff were also able to hear Keith Hawkins’ moving words that inspired them to also share their thoughts and advice for students. Many students were moved and either related or thanked the staff for their hard work.
It is important for students and every teen to understand the importance of the way they treat the people around them and their state of their own mental health. As each sophomore gets to experience this assembly at ANHS throughout each year, they will hopefully leave with a better mindset than what they walked in with.
