From light pink shirts to shared food and bursts of laughter, ROAR created a space where students could connect, unwind, and feel at ease. On Jan. 29, ROAR hosted its second event of the 2025–26 school year, bringing together students from different grade levels who might not have crossed paths otherwise.

The morning began with a quiet introduction to the ROAR mentors, directors, and the groups students were assigned to for the day. One of the first activities asked students to draw something they had seen on their Instagram feeds. While social media can reflect both positive and negative moments, many of the drawings revealed fear, frustration, and uncertainty surrounding issues with Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Minneapolis. As students viewed their work, ROAR mentors took time to reflect with them, validating their feelings and reminding them that they were not alone in what they were experiencing.

After addressing the challenges, students returned to the library, where snacks offered a small comfort following the heavy discussion. Over chips, popcorn, and juice, the atmosphere began to shift. Guided by their mentors, students reflected on the positives that can still exist within social media, moments of inspiration, connection, and creativity. To close the activity, students re-drew a positive Instagram post, rewriting a narrative that is often filled with pressure into one of encouragement and possibility.

One by one, students add their positive Instagram posts to the wall, turning the space into a collective display of voices and ideas. The activity reflects how ROAR encourages students to share their thoughts in ways that are feel relatable and meaningful.

For many ROAR mentors and directors, the mission is simple but meaningful: to make every student feel welcomed and seen. Through interactive activities and lighthearted games, students were given the chance to laugh, open up, and connect, forming friendships with peers from different grade levels. In those moments, ROAR became more than a program; it became a space where students could let their guards down.

“It puts students in an area where they can be kids again without having outside pressure that most of them deal with,” Diego Hernandez, ROAR director said.

As ROAR mentor Emily Gee stands in the middle of the circle she leads and interactive game. The activity encourages participation and helps students feel comfortable engaging with one another.

“To me it is very important we can create a connection with the students in our groups so they feel encouraged to come out of their shells,” Gloria Granados, ROAR mentor said.

After playing some bonding games, the group went to the auditorium to hear West Chicago Community High School dean, Antonio Del Real, share his experiences growing up and why he chose to become a dean. He emphasized the importance of school and maintaining a strong grade point average.

As the school day came to an end, one of ROAR’s final activities, “cross the line,” created a powerful moment of silence and understanding. With each statement read aloud, students slowly stepped forward, some with hesitation, others with quiet confidence, revealing struggles that are often kept hidden. In that moment, the room felt heavier, not with sadness, but with connection. Students realized they were not standing alone, even when their struggles felt deeply personal.

“A thing I hope students take away from ROAR is that it’s important to understand they’re not alone, and we should all be more conscious about the struggles other people might be going through,” Granados said.