Students from Colonie Central High School's No Place for Hate group got a chance to present their year-long work at the Elevation Student Voices Symposium, an event celebrating student-led initiatives across the Capital Region.

The symposium took place at Proctor's Theater in Schenectady, bringing together student leaders and advisors from districts across the area to share the impact they've made in their schools and communities.

The CCHS No Place for Hate group displayed a posterboard at a dedicated district table to highlight their efforts to build a more inclusive school environment. The presentation reflected months of work dedicated to promoting inclusivity, diversity, and respect among students at CCHS. Throughout this school year, No Place for Hate has conducted lunch tables, collaborated with other clubs, attended workshops in and out of school, created slides, posters, and video skits at CCHS. 

"The student showcase was a highlight. We felt we really had a lot of progress this year and the students enjoyed sharing that with others,” Kristen Zepf, the group's advisor. “They also had a great time talking with students from other schools about their projects this year.”

Superintendent of Schools Dr. David Perry attended the student presentations and was impressed by the students’ work and dedication. "The energy and passion these students bring to creating positive change is truly inspiring," Dr. Perry said. "What struck me most was their commitment to making our school community a place where every student feels valued and respected.” 

The 2025-2026 school year was the third year in a row Colonie Central High School earned the "No Place for Hate" designation from the Anti-Defamation League. To earn this designation, schools must commit to creating sustainable, positive change on campus.