This year, over 77 middle and high school students from various communities across the state attended a unique event that brought together people from different backgrounds. These communities included Ashland, Green Bay, Oneida, Shawano, and Appleton. The day started with drumming and singing from the Twin Tails Singers, followed by inspiring remarks from Danielle Yancey, the director of NACHP.
Students were introduced to Alaqua Cox, who is deaf and an amputee. She gave a mini-lesson on American Sign Language for common phrases and shared her experiences with the students. As Maya Lopez/Echo in the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Disney+ series “Hawkeye,” Cox expressed her gratitude for breaking barriers in the entertainment industry and emphasized how important representation is for individuals with disabilities.
Growing up, Cox noticed that she did not see people who looked like her or who were deaf onscreen. Her presence at the event inspired students and showcased how inclusion and acceptance are essential in all areas of society. Students left feeling empowered to break barriers themselves and pursue their dreams without fear of discrimination or exclusion.
The event was organized by NACHP (National Association of Chiefs of Police), which aims to promote diversity and inclusion in law enforcement agencies across the country. The organization believes that every community should have access to police officers who reflect its values and principles.
The day ended with a closing ceremony where students shared their thoughts and feelings about what they learned during the event. They thanked Alaqua Cox for her inspiring words of encouragement and promised to work towards creating a more inclusive society where everyone feels valued and respected.
Overall, this year’s event was a great success as it brought together people from different backgrounds to learn about diversity, inclusion, and representation. It showed that even small acts of kindness can make a big difference in someone’s life.
