Senate Honors Roosevelt High School Students for Leadership and Community Service

Andrea Stewart-Cousins

May 18, 2009

State Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D – 35th District) welcomed three Roosevelt High School students, their teachers, advisors and fellow students to the State Capitol in Albany to honor their selfless contributions to their peers and communities.

Sashay Turner, Yarelis Borrero, and DaQuan Gary have partnered with My Sister’s Place to become junior facilitators in a program called Students Advocating for Equality in Relationships. The students’ goal, armed with stunning statistics and an unwavering sense of purpose, is to educate their peers about safe and healthy relationships.

 As a result of the students’ advocacy and educational outreach, they have earned the First Place distinction in the Community Service category at the annual New York State SkillsUSA competition. A resolution, sponsored by Senator Stewart-Cousins, was approved unanimously by the full Senate today in honor of the students.

“Sashay, Yarelis, and DaQuan have assumed leadership roles in their community that are far beyond their years,” stated Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins. “Their fight against abusive relationships among high school students in the City of Yonkers and across New York State, as well as their continued activism are worthy of Statewide and national recognition.”

The students of Roosevelt High School traveled from the City of Yonkers to Albany with their advisors, Ms. Noreen Riotto and Frank Leonetti, and their Principal, Jade Sharp.

“It is an honor for me to highlight the selfless achievements of our students and I am pleased my Senate colleagues joined me in underscoring our appreciation of their commitment to working toward creating violence-free communities throughout the State,” Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins concluded.

 

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