What is integrity? What kind of actions warrant negative consequences? What makes someone a good person? Questions like these were considered on Jan. 12 at Ethics Day, an annual event for SBHS seniors held since 2001.

Students spent the day at the National Conference Center and experienced three different scenarios: a mock court case, a hazing event, and a cheating dilemma. While all were concerned with different topics, they all considered the same question: How does one make ethical decisions? 

“I learned how honestly everything related to ethics has a gray area,” senior Aditi Bhat said. “It [was] a good way to learn about how you can make optimal decisions in a time of stress.” 

The day wasn’t just an educational opportunity for seniors; teachers and parent volunteers also reaped the rewards of the challenging discussions. 

“It was all learning for me,” history teacher Sarah Shangraw, who organized the scenario about cheating, said. “I was struck by how differently ‘Gen Z’ thinks about some of these issues than students did just a few years ago.” 

While participants enjoyed all the discussions and situations, the mock trial was a fan favorite. The exercise  involved acting by theater students from SBHS, audience participation as the jury, and facilitation from Gary Clemens, clerk of the circuit court.

“The discussions in the court case room, [and] hearing the various perspectives people had when put into certain situations was my favorite part of the day,” senior Swathi Vijayakumar said. “It [was] super interesting and fun.”

Attendants were randomly put into groups, creating conversations between students who may have contradicting opinions or simply don’t see each other very often — an important thing to do in a time increasingly ruled by echo chambers and refusals to compromise. 

“It [was] a great opportunity to interact with classmates [I] hadn’t interacted with in a while,” Bhat said. “It [helped] us learn how to make more responsible decisions when we become independent and go off to college.” 

Rising seniors, make sure to keep an eye out for information about Ethics Day when it returns next year!“It’s a fun day and something different. It’s a very cool tradition and I hope we can get to 100% participation next year,” Mrs. Shangraw said. “Why would you not go?”