HHS Assemblies on the Dangers of Alcohol and Bullying
The issues of alcohol poisoning due to excessive and illegal drinking and bullying are important enough that Huntington High School students participated in assembly programs last week that delved into the topics.
Freshmen and sophomores were assembled in the school auditorium while juniors and seniors were brought to Louis D. Giani Gymnasium for the three-part program that was sponsored by the high school PTSA.
"The PTSA recognizes the importance of including this type of program during the school day as opposed to the evening, which has been done in the past and was not as well attended" said Alice Marie Rorke, the PTSA president. "We want to reach everyone and to try and make a difference in their lives. Alcohol poisoning and bullying are two areas we felt needed to be addressed at the high school and now we are encouraging the students to start their own chapter of the Red Watch Band right here at Huntington High School."
Jamie Isaacs, an accomplished Long Island 16-year old spoke about her personal experiences in being bullied. Ms. Isaacs said she was the victim of intense bullying since the age of eight. She discussed bullying and its effects on those subjected to it. The teenager is the founder of the Jamie Isaacs Foundation for Anti-Bullying. She even authored a book about her experiences, In Jamie's Words. Two signed copies of the book were given to the Huntington High School library and will be made available to students interested in learning more about Ms. Isaacs' life.
Six members of the newly formed Huntington High School Bully Club presented information and offered their personal observations on the issue. The group's segment of the assembly closed with a skit on bullying, which illustrated some sources of bullying and the negative comments that often accompany it, as well as the devastating effects it can have on others. The students encouraged their classmates to join the club.
"There are already 75 members of the Bully Club, which was the students' idea, and membership is growing," Mrs. Rorke said. "It's imperative to get the message out there and encourage involvement. That's how to make a difference!"
Lara Hunter from Stony Brook University was on hand to discuss the Red Watch Band movement, which launched in March 2009. The organization's mission is to provide campus community members with the knowledge, awareness and skills to prevent toxic student drinking deaths and to promote a student culture of kindness, responsibility, compassion and respect.
Ms. Hunter discussed the teen drinking and how friends can make a difference in saving someone's life. Several Long Island high schools have instituted the Red Watch Band program in their school community and Ms. Hunter encouraged Huntington High School to do the same. Participants in the program will participate in a four hour training course to learn how to recognize alcohol emergencies and how to respond effectively. Those who complete the training will come to understand that alcohol emergencies are really medical emergencies that require immediate professional care.
Mrs. Rorke thanked Principal Carmela Leonardi and members of the administration for supporting the initiative and allowing the PTSA to move forward with the program.
Huntington High School teachers, administrators and PTSA members believe that if the assembly topics and speakers help just one student, the program was well worth it.