About Heritage Panel
The Heritage Panel program empowers a diverse group of student leaders to make their school a more inclusive and welcoming place by creating a climate which discourages bullying and harassing behavior.
This year-long program begins by training 25 students and five educators in an intensive two-day workshop. During the training, participants are asked to look within themselves and their school community and make personal commitments to improving relations at school. Students prepare to sit on a panel and discuss issues which are relevant to their school experience and often include cliques, race, gender, cultural backgrounds, and exclusion. Educators prepare to moderate the discussions.
Following the training, Heritage Panelists return to school ready to share what they have learned through Heritage Panel presentations. The audience is most often a class, and following the panel presentation, the audience is invited to participate in a discussion of issues relating to the presentation. Schools are free to choose how they use Heritage Panels and how many students are reached with them. In the past presentations have been given to an assortment of classes across grade levels and subject areas, to classes at the feeder middle school, to the PTA, and to community organizations.
The Heritage Panel program is a straightforward program which works on a number of levels. First, the presentations to audiences at school allow potentially inflammatory issues to be discussed and dealt with in a proactive manner before they turn violent. Also, the 25 students who go through the training have a transforming experience. Following the training, they interact with one another and other students with increased sensitivity and compassion. They become empowered to be positive role models who affect the overall climate of the school. Additionally, educators get crucial support and new tools to teach conflict management.
The YWCA is available as a resource following the training at your school. We are prepared to help the Heritage Panel program at your school in a number of ways, including moderating panels, leading diversity exercises for group meetings or classes, or assisting in community or school projects resulting from the Heritage Panel program. The YWCA is committed to providing year-round support for the Heritage Panel program.
For more information or to schedule a Heritage Panel contact Rebecca Harkless at or 205-322-9922 Ext. 184.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What can Heritage Panel do for my school?
The program has the potential to aid in violence prevention and tolerance-building in your school. In the past, the Heritage Panel has been the key to changing the environment at school.
- How does this program affect the 25 students who are chosen to be panelists?
In our evaluations, students consistently state that Heritage Panel gave them the opportunity to meet and better understand students they would not otherwise have ever encountered. The relationships that students build with one another and the leadership skills they develop allow Heritage Panelists to be agents of change, creating a safer environment at your school and in your community.
- How much effort does this program require from school administrators?
YWCA takes care of as much of the preparation work as possible. Once a school has decided to start the Heritage Panel program at their school, administrators help find the funding for the program and select faculty sponsorsto work the YWCA. The YWCA will work directly with one of the faculty sponsors to implement the Heritage Panel program.
- How much does this program cost, and what does my school get for our money?
The Heritage Panel program is a cost-effective way to address bullying and other school climate issues. Each school pays a $1,000 program fee as well as costs associated with substitute teachers, transportation, and food. We know how difficult it can be to find funds in this economy, and we encourage you to be creative in your thinking. Principal’s discretionary funds, SGA funds, boosters, private donations, or Title I funds are all possible sources that have been used in the past. We hope that you will see the Heritage Panel program as a tool valuable enough to work through the funding challenge.
What Past and Present Heritage Panel Students Have Said
“The most important thing I gained is a deeper friendship with more diverse people.”
Wenonah Student
“I gained the ability to be strong and more open with myself and others.”
Center Point Student
“This has opened my eyes so much and has brought me to realize many things I need to do in order to make others feel included and comfortable.”
Ramsay Student
“What I learned here about myself and others will be priceless in building bridges for the future.”
Mountain Brook Student
“The most important thing I gained was the ability to tell my story and to use it to teach others about inclusion.”
Woodlawn Student
“I think we will go out and be a good example to our peers.”
Minor Student
“Now, I am feeling less isolated because I realize that others are going through similar issues.”
Hueytown Student
“We’ll remember to be sensitive to others and that everyone has had hard times and has been discriminated against.”
Alabama School of Fine Arts Student
“Now I am thinking that discrimination is everywhere and dialogue is a great way to enlighten others about it and therefore make it happen less.”
Homewood Student
“I think if more people experienced this program diversity would not be such an issue.”
Pleasant Grove Student
“I will watch my actions more closely and will branch out more to inspire people to change their ways.”
Leeds Student
Current Heritage Panel Schools
Alabama School of Fine Arts
Carver High School
Chelsea High School
Cornerstone School
Gardendale High School
Hewitt-Trussville Middle School
Hewitt-Trussville High School
Homewood Middle School
Homewood High School
T.R. Simmons Elementary School
Leeds High School
Minor High School
Moody High School
New Hope High School
Ramsay High School
Woodlawn High School