NEW ROCHELLE, NY — Seven New Rochelle High School sophomores attended the annual Human Rights Institute for Student Leaders held at Iona College on March 15. It was sponsored by the Holocaust and Human Rights Education Center.
The NRHS students, along with peers from 40 other high schools throughout the region, heard from speakers on human rights and took part in workshops on topics such as income inequality, rights of indigenous peoples and the “Me Too” movement, reports social studies teacher Eric Katz.
The keynote speaker was Scarlett Lewis, founder of the Jesse Lewis Choose Love Movement, an organization created in the wake of the 2012 Sandy Hook shooting in Connecticut. She spoke about the importance of social and emotional learning, and responding to hate with love.
Students, who were chosen by their Social Studies teachers, also had the opportunity to hear Judy Altman, a 93-year-old survivor of Auschwitz, recount her experiences in the Holocaust.
In the photo, from left, are: Corey Baron, Daniela Anzola, Eric Savarese, Maddie Bamberger, Amar Rajani-Bangser, Grace Weckesser, Mikaela Strauss and social studies teacher Eric Katz