The 2025 theme “Belonging Begins Here: Our Stories, Our County, and Our Pride” invites students across Hennepin County to explore the meaning of belonging through personal and local lenses. This year’s program encourages participants to reflect on their identities, communities, and shared spaces that foster inclusion and connection.

Students highlight stories, landmarks, and cultural touch points within their districts that bring people together or represent sources of pride. Through creative expression and storytelling, the program aims to celebrate the rich diversity and unity within Hennepin County, promoting a deeper understanding of what it means to belong. By focusing on local narratives, the initiative empowers young voices to shape a more inclusive and connected community rooted in shared experience and mutual respect.