SOLID Conference Brings Schools Together

Student-led conference builds bridges across campuses and contributes to Princeton recognition

When Khyah Shute leads, she invites people in. As a junior at Harpeth Hall, Khyah was one of the lead student organizers for the annual SOLID Conference. In that role, she coordinated a team of student leaders from three schools, led planning meetings that began in October, and helped contribute to the many details of the event, from workshops to opening remarks and final reflections.

Her approach? One grounded in listening, collaboration, and care. That steady, intentional leadership led to the success of the 2025 SOLID (Student Opportunities in Leadership, Inclusion, and Diversity) Conference hosted at Harpeth Hall and earned Khyah recognition as an honoree for the Princeton Prize in Race Relations.

“Khyah is an example of ‘calling you in’ instead of ‘calling you out,’” Director of Equity and Inclusion Jasmin Hopkins wrote in nominating Khyah for the Princeton Prize in Race Relations, which Khyah received in the spring. “... She has an empathetic approach to people and a deep understanding of the efforts she engages in. With her desire to make her environment better, she begins with herself to be the best contributor to student groups, classrooms, and clubs, and as a delegate to conferences to learn and apply more to her school community.”

SOLIDConnections Student-led conference builds bridges across campuses and contributes to Princeton recognition by Jessica Bliss The Princeton Prize in Race Relations recognizes and rewards high school students throughout the country who, through their volunteer activities, have undertaken significant efforts to advance racial equity and understanding in their schools or communities.

Each spring, the Nashville regional committee of Princeton alumni selects one local prize winner and additional recipients of a certificate of accomplishment and then hosts a panel for Nashville-area student honorees to discuss their projects and race relations in their communities.

Khyah received her certificate of accomplishment at a ceremony hosted in the Civil Rights Room at the Nashville Public Library on April 3. She was nominated and honored for her voice and vision in student-led dialogue and inclusion at Harpeth Hall. Most significant in this work was her role as a member of the student planning committee for the SOLID Conference.

Harpeth Hall hosted the first SOLID Conference in 2024. The conference is a one-day, student-led event designed to bring together high school leaders from Harpeth Hall, Ensworth, and Montgomery Bell Academy for self-reflection, collaboration, and community building. The second annual event, held this year in March, welcomed more than 70 students and 20 faculty and staff members from the three schools. The event focused on five key values — self-reflection, honor, respect, dignity, and community — and aimed to create authentic conversation and connection among student leaders across Nashville.

The day opened with a keynote address by Shan Foster, executive director of the YWCA’s Amend Together program, who spoke to students about finding and using their voice. Breakout sessions followed, each designed and facilitated by students from one of the participating schools. Harpeth Hall students led “Disney through DEI,” an interactive workshop that used movie clips to explore how media portrays race, culture, and identity. MBA’s workshop, “Clap Back and Step Back,” centered on empowering students of color through community building, reflection, and advocacy. Ensworth led “Improv-ment,” a session that used improvisational role-play to help students practice real-time responses to social justice scenarios.

The day closed with time for bonding and networking, allowing students to connect across schools and reflect on the shared experience.

“We wanted to emphasize that diversity is not just black and brown students, it’s everyone included,” Khyah told the Princeton Prize event attendees. “We wanted to inspire everyone to work together. … We wanted people to feel encouraged to have conversations, not forced to have them. That can be difficult, but at the end of the day, I feel like everyone felt the meaningful message behind the conference.”

The intentionality and care Khyah brings to her involvement, Ms. Hopkins said, shows “her vested intention in the success” of all those around her.