Grace Kenworthy (Reporter ‘25)
In January, Penn Charter (PC) and Germantown Friends’ (GFS) co-hosted the 25th annual Quaker Youth Leadership Conference. Friends’ Central School student attendants included Margot Groundwater ‘26, Grace Kenworthy ‘25, JT Lovett ‘25, Duncan McLuckie ‘25, Noah Perot ‘26, and Solomon Stern ‘26, accompanied by faculty chaperones Libby Fifer, Noah Marks, and Nora Swift. This student-led conference had the theme of “Quakerism: Past, Present, and Future” and explored meaningful topics through a Quaker perspective. Over 22 independent Quaker schools attended this conference, ranging in geographic location from Canada to North Carolina. Over the three-day conference, more than 140 students participated in field trips, workshops, meetings for worship, and even a talent show!
The first day of the conference was focused on Quakerism’s past and Quaker education. Students from various schools met and bonded over their shared experiences of learning in a Quaker environment. Guest speaker Dr. Daryl Ford, former PC Head of School, gave an excellent speech and presentation on the effect that Quakerism has had on his life. He also spoke about how we can use Quaker education as a form of peaceful activism. The motif of “being on the bridge of justice” was present throughout the lecture, presenting the question, “What role do you play in social activism?”. Students learned the intricacies of the four roles of change, including the rebel, the organizer, the advocate, and the helper. Dr. Ford emphasized the importance of participating in social change, regardless of what role you may play.
On Friday, activities focused on Quakerism in the present day. Participants explored the Quaker roots of Philadelphia, taking eight different field trips around the city. Visits included museums, historical sites, and several meeting houses around the Philadelphia area. FCS students visited Chestnut Hill Meeting House and received a presentation from the Friends’ Committee on National Legislation, learning how to use lobbying as a form of social justice. Shortly after, students traveled to Germantown Friends’ School where “parallel meetings for worship” were held. These unconventional worships revolved around the idea of centering one’s focus on completing a specific task, as opposed to a typical meeting for worship. Students chose from options including knitting, coloring, walking in nature, reading, and many more. The day ended with a presentation from a panel of GFS and PC alumni. A highlight of the presentation was alumni mentioning that Quakerism was something they incorporated into their daily lives, even after graduating from high school.
On the final day of QYLC, students and teachers looked forward to the future of Quakerism. Two sessions of student-led workshops were held, with students broadening their knowledge of the potential that Quakerism has to offer for our future. The conference ended with a meeting for worship at Germantown Friends School, where many meaningful messages of gratitude were shared.
Friends’ Central looks forward to the Quaker Youth Leadership Conference of 2025, which will be hosted by Carolina Friends’ School, in North Carolina.