On September 29, 2024, ASEZ STAR hosted an Anti-Bullying and Violence Prevention Forum in Scarsdale, NY, as part of their global Hope Challenge. The forum focused on ASEZ STAR’s Shoulder to Shoulder campaign to prevent bullying and school violence. A total of 30 students and 50 other attendees participated, including parents, Church of God members, and community figures such as New York State Assemblyman Nader Sayegh, Senior Prosecutor Alan Alvarez, Bronx Family Court Judge Lisa Rodriguez, Deputy Bureau Chief Michelle Villaverde, and Miss Nevada 2024, Attorney Shalini Sasha.
ASEZ STAR Shares Global Achievements
ASEZ STAR volunteers presented their global achievements and ongoing campaigns, including the Green School climate change response and the Good Student Campaign, both under the Shoulder to Shoulder initiative. The campaigns focus on four key steps: Grow, Act, Partnership, and Change. Performances of “Amigos Para Siempre (Friends for Life)” and “Lean on Me” emphasized the strength found in supporting one another against bullying.
Inspiring Words from Guest Speakers
Assemblyman Nader Sayegh encouraged the students to take action, expressing, “Be the one who has an impact in the world. We can make a change in climate and society. It starts with you doing your share.” Miss Nevada 2024, Shalini Sasha, shared her personal experiences with bullying and the words she used to overcome it: “I am strong, I am beautiful, and I am courageous.” She added, “It’s amazing that I get to inspire these kids and be there for them when they go through what I went through.”
The panelists also had positive feedback about the forum and ASEZ STAR’s initiatives. Judge Lisa Rodriguez said, “It was an honor to speak to the students and learn about the ASEZ STAR program. I’m privileged to have been part of this.” Deputy Bureau Chief Michelle Villaverde praised the students’ dedication, noting, “What stood out to me was the involvement of the youth and how wonderfully they put together this program.”
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