Seniors at RKYHS have been participating in senior sessions, a participatory, carefully crafted, educational experience that is an ideal capstone high school experience. From engaging presentations and conversations, members of the Class of 2017 appreciate their last opportunity to value the best aspects of an engaged RKYHS education with their friends and teachers.
Sample programs included a guided tour of One World Trade Center and took in the incredible heights of the One World Observatory that offered some of the greatest views of New York City. Students also appreciated the depths and the perspective of the memorials, which are among the most moving public memorials in the world.
Carsten Boethig from the NJM Insurance Group spoke at senior sessions on teen safety driving. Mr. Boethig served as a New Jersey State Police officer for more than 25 years, in which he served as a road duty trooper and has investigated and assisted with many serious and fatal crashes. His presentation focused on driving safety tips—especially this time of the year with so many teens on the roads celebrating graduations.
They also heard from Alvaro Lianos and Shawn Simons—two survivors of the deadly Seton Hall dormitory fire. Their story is one of survival, perseverance, inspiration and hope. Their message was to inspire and motivate students that life will give you many obstacles. What’s important is how you overcome those obstacles—by drawing strength, knowledge and motivation from those around you.
Toastmasters club, an international non-profit organization that operates clubs worldwide for the purpose of helping people improve their communication, public speaking and leadership skills, spoke to the seniors during sessions group. They conducted a workshop on the art of public speaking, inviting students to speak in front of their peers and get critiqued on their delivery, content and poise.
The senior sessions class spent time volunteering at AFYA. AFYA is a medical supply recovery organization located in Yonkers. They provide medical supplies and equipment to hospitals and clinics all around the world and also respond to natural disasters. Since 2008, AFYA has sent supplies to 70 countries.
