Students from across Jesuit schools gathered March 5-7, 2026, for the Northwest Jesuit Advocacy Summit, a three-day event focused on environmental justice, immigration, and housing. Hosted at Bellarmine Preparatory School and Seattle University, the summit brought together students from Bellarmine Prep, Gonzaga Prep, Seattle Prep, Cristo Rey, and Jesuit Portland.
Rooted in Ignatian spirituality, the experience guided students through reflection, analysis, and advocacy, encouraging them to put their faith into action. A major focus this year, continuing for the third year, was standing in solidarity with Native communities and promoting care for our common home.
The first day, held at Bellarmine, introduced students to peers from other Jesuit schools and participated in reflection activities, including a walk through the Kateri Garden focused on issues like homelessness and immigration.
The following days at Seattle University focused more on action and engagement, including having conversations with community leaders. Students had the opportunity to meet with a city council member and ask questions about how change happens at the local level.
Despite initially expecting a more passive experience, many students were surprised by how interactive and impactful the summit was. Senior Oliver Hipolito shared, “I thought it was going to be like a seminar that you had to sit through but I was pleasantly surprised by how [involved people were]…there’s this difference between standing for a cause and actually taking action.”
The emphasis on action became one of the most powerful keys of the summit. Students directly took action by creating signs and posters promoting anti-homelessness and better immigration laws then walked around the streets of Seattle to peacefully protest.
In addition to advocacy, students developed a deeper understanding of specific issues. Oliver Hipolito focused on environmental justice, particularly salmon health in the Seattle area. “I had greater information…after hearing firsthand from a company working on improving the health and sanitation of salmon in Seattle,” said Hipolito.
Similarly, senior Bradley Hipolito shared the summit’s impact on his understanding of immigration: “It definitely taught me a lot more about immigration issues. There are a lot of people speaking off about how our current state of America is affecting different people.”
Students left the summit with new motivation to take action. Senior Arshan Aref said, “I learned that it’s important to take that first step even when it is difficult because that first step leads to real change in your local community.”
More than just an event, the summit reflects Bellarmine’s values of walking with the excluded and caring for our common home, depicting the school’s ongoing commitment to encouraging students to not only understand these principles but actively live them out through faith and action.
