PHS students promote self-advocacy at leadership conference

Congratulations to five Piscataway High School students who were keynote speakers at the Dare to Dream Student Leadership Conference held at Rutgers University!

Zechariah Green, Jazmine Williams, Savannah Jenkins, Darius McKenzie, and Mustafa Ellsheikh are a part of Matthew Cecchini’s Vocations class, who presented strategies they have learned to promote self-advocacy and leadership.

The students shared examples of successfully using their self-advocacy skills during their high school experiences as well as how their accommodations have helped them to be successful. 

The students also had the opportunity to take part in small-group breakout sessions led by other schools to learn how to master an interview and advocate for their medical care.

Darius, Zechariah, and Savannah were honored at the June 11 Board of Education meeting by Superintendent Erskine R. Glover and Board President Nancy Salgado-Cowan. They were supported at the meeting by Director of Pupil Services Theresa Edmondson, Principal Chris Baldassano, and Mr. Cecchini, who the students praised for his love and support.

“You don’t have to do what you do, but you do it because you care for us and want us to grow and be a part of these other activities,” Zechariah said. “I just want to say I love you and I’m glad to be a student in your class.”