Northern Ireland Students Talk Conflict Resolution at HPHS

Earlier this month, a group of students from Northern Ireland visited Highland Park High School. The stop was part of a program called TABU (Toward a Better Understanding), which is sponsored by the Highland Park/Highwood Rotary Club.

Every other year, students from HPHS visit Northern Ireland to learn about conflict resolution. In the off years, students from Northern Ireland visit the North
Shore, and are hosted by the students that visited the previous year. The students are always accompanied by high school staff members and local Rotarians.

This year, six students and two Rotary members from Northern Ireland visited HPHS.  

“I think it’s great for Northern Ireland kids and our kids to see a different culture,”
Lindsey Choy, HPHS teacher, said. Choy visited Belfast last year with TABU and
was in charge of planning this year’s visit to HPHS. “I wanted them to be able
to see all parts of the school.”

Among other things, the group toured HPHS, visited several classrooms, ate with students in the cafeteria, learned about the Green School Initiative and got to talk about how Highland Park students battle issues like racism inside and outside the
classroom. 

“The conflicts are completely different,” 17-year-old Kendal Hinds commented after one discussion. Hinds comes from a mixed religious family in Northern Ireland. “My mom is Catholic and my dad is Protestant,” she commented and said most conflicts in Northern Ireland revolve around religion.

Northern Ireland students also took note of the friendly atmosphere at HPHS. “Everyone smiles at you,” Niall Fitzpatrick said. “Everyone seems willing to help.” The TABU student noted that he wants to talk to the head of his school in Belfast
about creating a space like the Drop-In Center at HPHS where kids can hang out
and talk about school issues freely.

“They’re targeting problems before they develop,” Fitzpatrick said about the facility.

HPHS was one stop of many during their week-long trip. Students visited another high school, toured Naval Station Great Lakes and enjoyed a Cubs game. They also held a meeting with Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

“I was blown away by the Mayor of Chicago,” Ronnie Porter, one of the Rotarian chaperones from Northern Ireland, said.

Next year, it’s Highland Park High School students turn to travel back to Belfast.