Health Sciences High and Middle College's 4th Annual Day of Understanding Brings Students Together

SAN DIEGO - Dec. 21, 2017 - PRLog -- Health Sciences High and Middle College, HSHMC, is hosting their 4th annual Day of Understanding on Friday, January 5, 2018 at 9:00 a.m., at the San Diego Convention Center. The event is open to students and their families and is designed to challenge the thinking of all HSHMC students through breakout speakers that will address how they overcame adversity.

The conference will begin with a welcome address by Mayor Kevin Faulconer, saluting the students for being open to the conference. The opening keynote speaker is Nick Santonastasso, a 20-year-old from New Jersey that was born with Hanhart Syndrome, an extremely rare condition that left him legless and missing an arm. Nick is living life to the fullest and doesn't let his condition get in the way. Following Nick are six breakout sessions.

• Islamic youth panel made up of HSHMC students to talk about the misconceptions of Islam and how it has impacted their lives.

• "Poetry with Dre," where a LA poet will share his recent poetry book and inspire students to write and share their own poems.

• "YouSchool with Drake" will discuss the importance of every individuals' story.

• Jodie Knowles will give a performance and speech that addresses growing up as a student in the special ed system.

• Two female Fire Chief and SWAT Chief will share and show that being a female doesn't limit your dreams or aspirations.

• LGBTQ talk led by a former student to discuss his life as a gay man as well as dressing drag. There will also be a transgender women to speak about issues facing the transgender community.

To conclude the conference will be Eduardo Garcia, known as the "bionic chef." Eduardo recovered from a terrifying near-death experience that left him with electrical burn scars and a hook for a left hand. But today, at 34, he shares his message of self-acceptance, love and learning to take a slower journey.

"Every year HSHMC students express how large of an impact this day leaves on their lives. We grow more as a community when we get to know one another in a different light. This is our contribution to that process," says Dominique Smith, Vice Principal and Director of Student Support at HSHMC.

This conference was inspired four years ago from a dream of a HSHMC student. The student came to HSHMC staff and said his peers didn't know enough about other religions or communities. He said he wanted to make an impact by sharing his story as a Muslim man. He also wanted to spotlight other

communities that students lack awareness of and to create something that will impact students for years to come. The HSHMC staff rented space at the San Diego Convention Center and rented charter buses to take students, in order to replicate a conference that will truly challenge their thinking. After the success of the initial Day of Understanding, HSHMC decided to continue the conference to challenge students' thinking and raise awareness of the adversity other communities and religions face.

For more information, please visit HSHMC.org.

About HSHMC
HSHMC is a place where people want to learn about health, healthcare and other industries as part of a world-class education.HSHMC is a home away from home, an open door, a place of rigor and academia where students earn a diploma that matters. Through hands-on experiences students are exposed to new opportunities and discover their leadership potential. For more please visit HSHMC.org.