MIOW Day 2025 Renews Cultural Awareness

For over 25 years, students and teachers have come together to celebrate MIOW Day (Multiple Identities, One World). Students in grades 8-12 participate in a series of studentrun workshops that explore a wide range of topics, from cultural traditions and social issues to diversity and the importance of inclusion. MIOW Day is an opportunity for students to step into leadership roles, facilitate workshops, and engage their peers in thoughtful discussions.

These workshops, which last 50 minutes each, allow students to experience the diversity of topics while understanding the wide array of perspectives of their peers and teachers. Whether it’s exploring the history of black hair norms in the media, the impact of Snapchat and social media on relationships, or debating the Israel-Palestine conflict, the day is a powerful opportunity for students to learn more about themselves, issues that we face at Trevor, and most importantly, issues that affect the world around us as we all find our place within it.

The process of planning MIOW Day begins around November, when students are invited to sign up to lead a workshop. These student leaders then participate in a comprehensive training session in early January. They learn key facilitation skills, including how to foster inclusion, encourage diverse viewpoints, and manage group discussions. The goal is to create an open environment where students can express their ideas and continue to learn from one another. Each workshop is shaped by the facilitator’s personal connection to the topic, ensuring that each session is not only informative but also engaging. Students are taught how to encourage students to contribute through discussions, games, or questions.

Gabby K. ‘25, who facilitated a workshop on the rise of women’s roles in sports, shared her motivation for leading the session: “Women in sports has simply become a catchy phrase, but social media has played a major role in the development of women’s sports, and I felt the specific developments weren’t being discussed enough.” Through her research, she discovered that a top draft pick in the WNBA makes just $76,000, compared to $10 million in the NBA, highlighting the financial disparity in sports; this range of well-researched information and personal experience lent credibility to her workshop, and was apparent in other MIOW sessions. Gabby’s workshop was one of many that highlighted the growing role of social media in shaping social change, from increasing viewership and sponsorships to advancing opportunities for women in sports.

These workshops help students think critically about the issues they care about and encourage them to dive deeper into these topics that are constantly evolving. The impact of MIOW Day extends far beyond the workshops themselves. It fosters a culture of unity and inclusivity, where students, teachers, and the wider community come together to learn from one another and challenge their perspectives. Through MIOW Day, Trevor continues to nurture students who are empowered to bring positive change to their school and beyond.

2025’s MIOW Day served as a powerful reminder of the importance of cultural diversity, critical thinking, and mutual respect. It was a day when students celebrated their differences, shared their voices, and left with a stronger sense of community and understanding.