FVS Celebrates 23rd Annual Unity Day: A School-Wide Event Focused on Inclusion, Listening, and Diversity

Fountain Valley School (FVS), a college preparatory, boarding and day school for students grades nine through 12, and home to students representing 23 countries and 21 states, takes an intentional pause every fall for Unity Day, an opportunity to come together and celebrate the unique differences that bring the School together as a community.

This year’s event yielded a wide range of workshops, games, and learning opportunities led by a mix of students, faculty, and administration covering topics that ranged from Easy Sculpting: Chinese Clay Figurines to Understanding the Rise in Anti-Semitism and Islamophobia to The Culture Behind Traditional Native Dance and Regalia. A dedicated committee of students, faculty, and staff arranged a mixture of workshops and sessions so that community members could experience multiple sessions, hear from different voices, and discuss topics in a way that differs from the typical classroom experience. "Through our speakers and workshops, we accentuate the very best that the School has to offer. It's a day of learning and understanding," said Fred Williams, a member of the School's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion committee. "The students become the educators, and the educators become students. We learn from each other, we listen to each other, and we respect each other. That is what makes this day special."

Through our speakers and workshops, we accentuate the very best that the School has to offer. It's a day of learning and understanding. The students become the educators, and the educators become students. We learn from each other, we listen to each other, and we respect each other. That is what makes this day special."

The day’s events began with a flag walk, during which students paraded through campus, surrounded by cheering classmates and carrying flags representing their various ethnicities, identities, and cultural backgrounds. The parade culminated with a gathering of the entire school in the Lewis Perry Jr Chapel to hear a panel discussion featuring members of the Pikes Peak Interfaith Coalition.

In one of many moments that helped to set the tone for the day, panel member Jeff Ader shared with the audience, “I choose to be here with you because of the importance of learning not just tolerance for other beliefs, but learning respect and learning to celebrate the diversity that we see here today.”

In addition to offering several culinary workshops, Unity Day concluded with a school-wide international potluck dinner, which allowed students, faculty, and staff to share a taste of their different cultures and backgrounds with others.

DeAnna Sandoval, director of diversity, equity, and inclusion for FVS, shared thoughts on the benefits of Unity Day. “I think it’s really beautiful to have an entire day to fully listen to each other, to learn from one another, and to try something new. Unity Day is something that not a lot of other schools do. We pause for a full day to lean in and empower each other, and I feel fortunate to be a part of that.”

Head of School Megan Harlan echoed the director’s sentiments. “There's no better celebration for a boarding school than Unity Day. It celebrates our close-knit community, honors our unique cultural differences, and enables us to form strong bonds with one another.”


▲  Unity Day concluded with a school-wide international potluck dinner, which allowed students, faculty, and staff to share a taste of their different cultures and backgrounds with others.


▲  Throughout the day, students indulged in a variety of international delicacies, from crepes to Khanom Tokiao.


▲  After lunch, students played a friendly game of Double Ball, also referred to as Papaskawanag, an activity commonly played by North American tribes.


▲  Students participated in several art workshops throughout the day, including an easy sculpting session led by seniors Ivy L. and Xiaohan


▲  FVS senior Ja'zell P. shared her culture and customs with peers during a workshop titled "The Culture Behind Traditional Native Dance and Regalia."


▲  Three members of the Pikes Peak Interfaith Coalition participated in a Unity Day panel focused on understanding and respecting the differences of others.


▲  Three members of the Pikes Peak Interfaith Coalition participated in a Unity Day panel focused on understanding and respecting the differences of others.


▲  Both a day and boarding high school, Fountain Valley--this academic year--is home to students representing 23 countries and 21 U.S. states.


▲  Unity Day began with a flag walk, during which students and faculty lined the pathway to the Lewis Perry Jr Chapel to recognize and celebrate the various countries represented at Fountain Valley School.