Our 9-12th grade students joined us at lunch to participate in the Touchstone Journey. These students come from intersectional communities including homeless and foster populations, and have dealt with some type of marginalization along their journey.

Students were able to set intentions on how to make our learning community more accepting and inclusive of all, helping each other with their mental health. They were able to set their intentions through illustrations and words by decorating their glass stone. School staff and district personnel joined us as well. Throughout the Touchstone Journey activity, participants shared their powerful thoughts:

A 12th grade student shared: “I use art to heal from all the pain. I once felt alone in my thoughts but now that I see what others have gone through, I feel a positive vibe and connection with others.”

District Personnel: “I am so happy to see high school students enjoy art and using it as a voice and vehicle to express their feelings about social justice and mental health.”

12th grade teacher: “I lost my son to a drug overdose. Me being here doing this activity is helping me acknowledge that I can heal by using art and the through the community around me like Mr. Mares.”

11th grade student: “I never thought I would connect with stone as much as I did today. I have more of an impact than what I thought. I can continue to make my community safer by advocating for people’s rights and for more inclusivity across our campus.”

This Touchstone Journey activity brought light to the relevant world events and world views these youth come to school with. School staff and district personnel see the greater need for these spaces to be created on our school campuses.