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Town Teams up with Local Schools for 3rd Annual Bullying Awareness Walk


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
June 2, 2015
MEDIA CONTACTS: Carole Trottere, Ryan Mulholland, Sam Marksheid, and Rebecca Cheng | (516) 869-7794

Town Teams up with Local Schools for 3rd Annual Bullying Awareness Walk

North Hempstead, NY – North Hempstead Town Supervisor Judi Bosworth and the Town Board welcomed students, parents and community activists to the 3rd Annual Bullying Awareness Walk at North Hempstead Beach Park on May 30. The day was filled with inspirational music performances from local students, motivational speeches, a unified walk around the park and topical breakout sessions.

The program opened with a welcome from two former Herricks High School students, Disha Singh and Aeyla Gioia. These two students, along with Monica Abdallah, teamed up with the Town two years ago for the 1st Bullying Awareness Walk and formed the anti-bullying group called the “Young Optimistic Upstanders,” along with the Upstanders Pledge, which stresses the importance of taking action when you are being bullied or you see someone being bullied.

Singh and Gioia introduced Supervisor Bosworth who addressed the significance of making North Hempstead a bully-free zone.

“By being here today, many of you are taking the first step to either heal from the effects of being bullied, or are here to impart wisdom on those who have been bullied,” said Supervisor Bosworth.” It’s important for us to have an outlet to share our feelings with others who have dealt with similar circumstances and that’s what today’s event does.”

Adrianna Sgarlata Hill, a former Miss Virginia, issued the keynote address. Sgarlata Hill has spoken on Capitol Hill and made over 200 appearances nationwide in an effort to ensure that every child has the opportunity to grow up without fear from bullies.

"The scarring effects of bullying can last a lifetime, but you have the power to decide how you view those scars,” Sgarlata Hill said. “As a "Young Optimistic Upstander" you can advocate for change. You can use your experiences to cast a positive influence on friends and peers. Together, we can stop bullying. It starts with YOU."

Following the walk, speeches, and musical performances, students dispersed into breakout sessions to discuss topics such as Living in a Digital Age, which was led by Brittany Becker of Long Island Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence LICADD), and Bullying: Warning Signs and Rules to Consider, led by Sgarlata Hill.

The Town provided banners for all participating school districts which included East Williston, Roslyn, Herricks, Manhasset, Westbury and Carle Place, that hundreds of students signed throughout the week to make their pledge against bullying.

Also in attendance included Town Clerk Wayne Wink, Receiver of Taxes Charles Berman, Councilwomen Lee Seeman and Anna Kaplan, and Councilman Peter Zuckerman.

Have you tuned into North Hempstead TV lately? View all of our great programming on Channels 18 or 63 on Cablevision or Channel 46 on Verizon, or visit www.myNHTV.com or www.youtube.com/townofnorthhempstead. FIOS.



The crowd at the Bullying Awareness walk. 



From left, Town Clerk Wayne Wink, Supervisor Judi Bosworth, Councilman Peter Zuckerman and Receiver of Taxes Charles Berman lead the way on the walk.



Adrianna Sgarlata Hill delivers the keynote address.



Town officials with students from Students United for Safe Schools.



Richard D’Orazi of Herricks High School leads the pledge of allegiance.
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