Inclusive Schools: Redefining the Concept of Student Leadership

A knot of students gathers by the 'smoking doors, ' intent on projecting an air of apathetic cool. Not far away, two younger girls, probably grade nines, watch the smokers strike poses of studied indifference, whispering excitedly. One girl seems eager to join the smokers; the other clearly thinks its a bad idea. Temptation trumps loyalty, and the first girl steps hesitantly into the haze. She is given an icy once-over by the crowd, but welcomed into the fold once she pulls out a cigarette of her own and asks for a light. Her friend remains on the periphery, unsure of what to do. Eventually, she moves to join the group but turns down a proffered cigarette; the group turns its back on her and strides away as one, never looking back. The girl calls out to her retreating friend but is ignored; soon she is alone. She looks one last time towards the now-distant crowd, and her face is enveloped in darkness as the stage lights fade to black .