Peggy Keyser, News Center Maine.
Naissa and Priscilla Isaro saw a need for civil discourse in their school and in the wider world – a way to talk about tough topics with respect and an open mind. Over the last two years, they’ve worked with their classmates and faculty at The Maine Girls’ Academy to create – “CivilTeas”....It was the idea that talking to each other – having dialog and conversation – ought to be civil, and respectful. Students in this school could take on hard topics with patience, openness, and understanding. So Naissa, now a senior, and her sister Priscilla, now a freshman in college, embarked on a journey – with the hope of making civil conversation the centerpiece of life at their school.
The sisters had both done work with Seeds of Peace; it was there that they began to build their skills and understand the importance of open dialogue. They came away from that experience with new tools – and the seed of their own idea. And so, CivilTeas, took root, and - - now part of the curriculum at MGA – these ‘Teas” happen every other month. Before each topic is presented to the student body, student facilitators work together to prepare themselves to lead the small group discussions. These are no easy conversations – the young women tackle topics like race, immigration and body image.