Students from Averill Park CSD, East Greenbush CSD, Schodack CSD, and Troy CSD pose at the final event of the year.
Questar III BOCES welcomed five participating school districts to their Improving Schools Through Student Empowerment program this year. Throughout the year, students and teachers from Averill Park Central School District, East Greenbush Central School District, New Lebanon Central School District, Schodack Central School District, and Troy City School District came together to have meaningful conversations about diversity, implicit bias, and what it means to be an ally when witnessing hurtful behaviors. Students took the skills they learned and began implementing them in their schools, serving as leaders in their school community.
On April 23, 2024, Questar III BOCES held its culminating Youth Summit to celebrate the accomplishments of these students. Following welcoming remarks from Questar III BOCES District Superintendent Dr. Gladys I. Cruz, a student welcome from Madelyn Reilly, and the Year in Review from Dr. Eva Jones who partnered with Questar III on the program, Xiomara Giordana, chief diversity officer at SUNY Empire, graciously stepped in to provide a keynote address following an emergency from the originally scheduled guests.
Students broke into group discussions during the event.
Students enjoyed a networking lunch where they also showcased their school activities, and then observed a community leader and student panel discussion, moderated by Kole Hardy, featuring the following panel guests:
- Jason Benitez, Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the Capital Region Chamber
- Xiomara Giordano – Chief Diversity Office at SUNY Empire
- Nathaniel Gray – Executive Director at the Pride Center of the Capital Region
- Dalinzco Pettiway, Troy City School District student
- Isaiah Santiago, Rochester CSD Commissioner
- Reid Schiermeyer, East Greenbush Central School District student
Isaiah Santiago speaks during the panel discussion while the other panel guests look on.
Lastly, Paula De Andres provided a student reflection and Questar III’s Chief School Improvement Officer Terry Bordell gave closing remarks for the event. We are extremely proud of the amazing work done by this extraordinary group of students and the efforts they are making to create a better school community and world. This event would not have been a success without the dedication of the participating students, congratulations on a job well done!
