Creating Connections: How 'We Dine Together' is Transforming Lunchtime into a Haven of Inclusion

High schooler spreads the message that nobody should have to dine alone

The Power of Inclusion: How One High School Club is Changing Lunchtime Dynamics

We Dine Together

At Boca Raton High School in Florida, when the lunch bell rings, the bustling scene of 3,400 students filling the courtyard is a daily routine. Students naturally split into their familiar social groups, but not everyone is fortunate enough to find a place among friends. For some, lunchtime becomes a reminder of isolation rather than a break from classes.

This feeling of exclusion is something Denis Estimon knows all too well. A Haitian immigrant, Denis remembers the loneliness he felt when he first came to the United States as a first grader. The lunchroom, where social bonds are often solidified, became a source of anxiety and isolation for him. Fast forward to high school, and Denis had become a well-known figure at Boca High. But he never forgot what it was like to sit alone.

Driven by a desire to make a difference, Denis decided to take action. He asked himself, “If we don’t try to make that change, who will?” With that thought in mind, Denis, along with a few friends, started a club called “We Dine Together.” The mission of the club is simple yet profound: to ensure that no one has to eat alone.

The members of “We Dine Together” dedicate their lunch periods to seeking out students who are sitting by themselves, offering them companionship and the opportunity to forge new friendships. The club has been a lifeline for new students, who often find lunchtime to be the hardest part of the school day. Since its inception, the club has fostered hundreds of friendships—many of which might never have formed otherwise.

One student, Jean Max Meradieu, found such fulfillment in the club that he decided to quit the football team to devote more time to it. “I don’t mind not getting a football scholarship,” Jean said. “This is what I really want to do.” For Jean, and many others, the club offers something more valuable than athletic achievements or social status: a sense of purpose and belonging.

The impact of “We Dine Together” extends beyond just making sure no one eats alone. It has created an environment where students from different social circles and backgrounds come together, breaking down barriers and fostering a culture of inclusion and empathy. As Jean put it, “We’ll get to know each other better.” It’s a sentiment that resonates deeply with the students involved, many of whom, like Denis and Jean, have firsthand experience with loneliness.

At one high school, no one eats lunch alone

Another club member, Allie Sealy, knows how it feels to be the new kid with no one to sit next to. Allie, who transferred schools a few years ago, found lunchtime to be the most excruciating part of the day. But joining “We Dine Together” changed that. “Meeting someone who actually cares and listens to what you have to say really makes a difference,” Allie said. The club has given her and others a platform to connect and support one another, proving that even small acts of kindness can have a profound impact.

Since graduating from high school, Denis has continued to pursue his mission. He now travels across the country, establishing “We Dine Together” chapters in other schools. To date, 15 chapters have been created, with plans for over 100 more in the coming year. Denis’s journey is a testament to the power of empathy and the difference one person can make when they decide to take action.

The story of “We Dine Together” is a reminder that inclusion isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a lifeline. It’s about making sure everyone feels seen, heard, and valued, especially during those vulnerable moments, like lunchtime in high school. And while Denis and his friends are focused on changing the dynamics of school cafeterias, their message is one that we all can learn from. Imagine a world where everyone, not just the “coolest kids,” makes an effort to ensure that no one ever feels alone. That’s the world “We Dine Together” is working to create, one lunch period at a time.

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