BECAUSE OF ITS LARGE MIX OF BLACK AND HISPANIC STUDENTS, GEORGE WASHINGTON HIGH SUFFERS OFTEN SEVERE OUTBREAKS OF INTERRACIAL CONFLICT. WITH FEW WHITES TO FOCUS ON, THE TWO ETHNIC GROUPS HAVE COME TO OPPOSE ONE ANOTHER, A SITUATION WHICH HAS EFFECTIVELY POLARIZED THE ENTIRE STUDENT BODY. THE GANG ETHIC, KNIFE FIGHTS, AND, ACCORDING TO SOME STUDENTS, HANDGUNS PREVAIL. IN AN EFFORT TO STEM THIS TREND, THE SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION BEGAN ORGANIZING WEEKEND RETREATS, AT WHICH STUDENT GOVERNMENT LEADERS, GANG MEMBERS, SCHOOL ATHLETES, AND OTHERS REPRESENTATIVE OF THE STUDENT BODY MEET WITH TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS AND TRY TO WORK OUT THE VARIOUS DISPUTES THAT CONTRIBUTE TO DISTURBANCES AT GEORGE WASHINGTON. ALTHOUGH THE STUDENTS AND STAFF OFTEN COME TO THE RETREAT MISTRUSTING AND FEARING ONE ANOTHER, IN TERMS OF BOTH RACE AND GENERATION, THEY USUALLY LEAVE WITH A NEW PERSPECTIVE ON THE ROLE OF THE SCHOOL AND THE DETRIMENTAL NATURE OF RACIAL ANTAGONISM. BECAUSE THE PARTICIPANTS ARE ELECTED OR SOCIAL LEADERS OF THE STUDENT BODY, THEIR ETHNIC GROUP, OR EVEN A GANG, THEIR RETURN TO GEORGE WASHINGTON WITH A NEW COMMITMENT TO RACIAL COEXISTENCE AND COOPERATION APPARENTLY HELPS ALLEVIATE THE ANXIETIES AND HENCE, THE CONDUCT OF THEIR PEERS. (KBL)