Boston College High School Hosts Civics, Leadership, and Social Innovation Summit
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact:
November 7, 2024 Colleen Carter
Vice President for External Relations
E: [email protected] P: 617.474.5039
Boston College High School Hosts Civics, Leadership, and Social Innovation Summit
Boston, MA – On Friday, November 1, Boston College High School brought together community leaders, educators, and students for the Civics, Leadership, and Social Innovation Summit, an inspiring day of civic engagement and leadership development. The event was designed to complement the seventh-grade Civics curriculum and Civic Action Project, a year-long initiative encouraging students to identify key issues facing their communities and explore how they can enact meaningful change. For photos of the day, please click here.
During the week leading up to the Summit, students reflected on the challenges within their communities, learned about their representatives, and researched organizations working to address local issues. This preparation culminated in a dynamic day where seventh graders had the opportunity to engage directly with prominent leaders and civic professionals.
The Summit began with keynote speeches from Former Mayor Marty Walsh and Former Boston Police Commissioner William Evans, who shared their personal journeys in public service and insights on leadership. Mayor Walsh spoke of his upbringing in Dorchester and his advocacy for workers’ rights and civil rights throughout his career. Commissioner Evans shared his rise from Police Cadet to Chief of Police at Boston College, emphasizing the importance of community-focused service.
Throughout the day, students joined two of thirteen small group conversations with distinguished community leaders. These interactive sessions provided a deeper understanding of civic challenges and showcased how individuals across sectors are working together to address them. Among the speakers were:
• Ian Cain ’00, City Council President, Quincy
• Justin Casanova-Davis ’04, Town Administrator, Norfolk
• Griffin Doherty ’02, Director of Federal Affairs, The New England Council
• Shawn Dooley P’24, ’26, Former State Representative and Civil Service Commissioner
• Linda Dorcena Forry P’22, ’25, Former State Senator and Vice President of Suffolk Construction
• Katie Hayward, LICSW, AmeriCorps Program Director at Boston Health Care for the Homeless
• Celia Grant, Director of Engagement & Programs, Daily Table
• Edward G. Jacoubs, Professor of Criminology, Stonehill College
• Bob LaRocca ’99, Deputy Director for Federal Funds and Infrastructure, Massachusetts
• James Murphy ’87, State Representative
• Karen Walker, Program Director, Found in Translation
• Jack Yunits ’70, Former Mayor of Brockton
The day concluded with seniors in Dr. Lindy Desciak’s Models of Leadership Class guiding seventh graders through an exercise exploring local opportunities for civic action.
The Civics, Leadership, and Social Innovation Summit animates our commitment to preparing students to be engaged, informed citizens,” said Joe McNamara ’12, Director of the Jack Shields ’79, P’06 Center for Innovation. “This event empowers students to see their potential as agents of change in their communities.”
Boston College High School is proud to provide students with this platform to connect with leaders and learn how civic collaboration can create a brighter future for all.
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About Boston College High School: Boston College High School is a Jesuit, Catholic, college-preparatory school for young men in grades 7 to 12. Founded in 1863, the school enrolls more than 1,400 students from 81 zip codes in eastern Massachusetts. For more information, please visit bchigh.edu.