Imagination and creativity, persistence and perseverance are among key character and leadership traits necessary to develop a diverse and tolerant community, said the speaker at middle school youth forum on diversity and tolerance. So is courage.

"Prejudice is when you allow something bad to happen to someone else," said Dr. William Gregory Sawyer, vice-president of student affairs at Cal State Channel Islands. "You should be the one who stands up and protects that person."

More than 250 youth gathered for the annual Prejudice Awareness Summit at the University of Judaism Feb. 8. Among the youth, were eighth grade students from Good Shepherd School in Beverly Hills.

Through a series of day-long activities and age-appropriate exercises, students explored the definitions and causes of prejudice and engaged in dialogue to understand the experience of prejudice and its damaging effects. Youth also learned techniques to reduce or resolve conflict in a mature manner.

Janelle Lee, 13, an eighth grader from Good Shepherd School said she realized that prejudice happens when people "don't want to take the time to get to know people." Lee said she was enjoying meeting other students at the summit.

During one of the small-group meetings, students created short skits depicting school-based conflict situations like one student tripping another, youth cutting in line, or a group rejecting a new student. Students then analyzed the situation, came up with options for dealing with it, considered the consequences of each option, and decided on a solution.

Shira Karni, a junior at the University of Judaism, facilitated the students' process of analyzing conflict and brainstorming solutions. "I love working with kids and seeing what they come up with on their own," Karni told The Tidings. "I hope they can implement some of their ideas when they go back to school."

Abraham Merida, an honor student at Carver (George Washington) Middle School in Los Angeles, said he learned that when entering into a conflict with another person he can "talk in a way that won't be violent."

Hanz Larson, a student at Good Shepherd, said he wanted to try standing up for people affected by prejudice.

In addition to courage, Sawyer told the students that other qualities needed to develop a diverse and tolerant community include believing in yourself and your community; desire; taking responsibility for yourself and your community; setting and achieving goals; and striving for excellence.

"Don't accept anything mediocre for your community," he urged students.