• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

  • Home
  • Advertise
    • Advertise in One or All of our Magazines
    • Advertising Payment Form
  • Digital Subscription
    • Subscribe
    • Subscriber Login
  • Print Subscription
  • Contact Us

Human Rights Institute For High School Leaders

April 24, 2011 by Inside Press

By Rich Monetti

When Rosa Parks refused to yield her seat on an Alabama Bus, “she didn’t know,” said Sleepy Hollow junior Sophie Parens. The short role Parks played, however, helped change the world. Such insights could sum up a large part of the discussion of the 10th annual Human Rights Institute for High School Student Leaders held at Manhattanville College on March 16th.

Under the umbrella of the Holocaust and Human Rights Education Center, the event grouped students into topical workshops during which the spark of change might emerge. “We’re trying to turn awareness into action,” said Croton-Harmon High School Social Studies teacher, Brett Bowden.

In Sophie Parens’ group, women’s rights in the Middle East were on the agenda. Facilitating the discussion with classmates Kyle McGovern and Alex Dopico, the trio was careful to keep the hope for change in a nonjudgmental tone. “We have flaws in our own society,” said McGovern. “Blasting the message from up on high is also counterproductive,” he asserted. “It has to be their fight so you can avoid looking like you’re riding in on a white horse to save them.”

Looking on and keeping her interaction limited as group advisor, Senior Historian, Mary Johnson, of Facing History and Ourselves, was impressed with the facilitation skills of the three lead students. “Their understanding of the differences between our cultures was crucial because sensitivity is the first tool we have to combat prejudice,” she says.

The question of how one individual can have an impact on human rights issues was not common to just this group. “This is a chance for kids all over the county to see what other human rights clubs are doing to inspire them to go back, brainstorm and start their own clubs,” says Donna Cohen, Executive Director of the HHREC.

These future leaders came away with a host of creative ideas about how best to consolidate their voices on Near Eastern women’s rights. They speculated on the possibility of creating a cultural exchange program with Middle Eastern countries and utilizing the power of social media. One realization was very important. “It starts at home,” Parens said.

The jumping off point to which Parens alluded was exemplified in the presentation of an Eastchester High School student. Jimyang Gyaltsen grew up in Tibet and escaped over the Himalayas with his family into India, later arriving in the United States in 2007. He took this opportunity to tell his story, which included the oppression his land faces at the hands of China. “I’m not sure exactly how telling my story will lead to change in Tibet but everything begins with raising awareness,” said the senior honor student.

Erica Getto, of Scarsdale High School, helped earn herself Manhattanville’s Richard Berman Award with a similar mind set. “I’m the Editor-in-Chief at the school newspaper and informing students on human rights issues across the globe and right at home is where action begins,” she says.

Otherwise, Getto’s involvement and inspiration hasn’t been limited to the confines of an editor’s inbox. After an 8th grade trip to Africa, she became involved in Water For People, which provides well-water to African communities through a merry-go-round system pumped by children. She is now president of the school’s human rights coalition. Money is being raised for education in India and relief efforts in Japan. In receiving the award, her acceptance speech was emblematic of the Center’s vision. “Get out there and be an up-stander,” she said.

Getting students to take a stand instead of standing by is the goal of Ms. Cohen. So whether it’s taking a seat with the classmate who usually eats lunch alone or signing onto the anti-human trafficking Polaris Project, the day is a success if even one more student chooses the “up” side of action.

Although this kind of commitment does not correspond to the instant gratification that teenagers are just starting to learn to leave behind, Parens concluded, “you have to be patient but eventually they have to hear you.”

Filed Under: In and Around Town

About Inside Press

Inside Press Magazines, established 2003, are in their 22nd year of publication.

Primary Sidebar

Please Visit

William Raveis – Armonk
William Raveis – Chappaqua
White Plains Hospital
Houlihan Lawrence – Armonk
Houlihan Lawrence – Briarcliff
Houlihan Lawrence – Chappaqua
NYOMIS – Dr. Andrew Horowitz
Raveis: Lisa Koh and Allison Coviello
Purple Plains
Compass: Miller-Goldenberg Team
Korth & Shannahan
Douglas Elliman: Chappaqua
Congregation B’nai Yisrael
Elliman: Pam Akin
Wonder food hall
Play Nice Together
Dr. Briones Medical Weight Loss Center
Pinksky Studio
King Street Creatives
New Castle Physical Therapy

Follow our Social Media

The Inside Press

Our Latest Issues

For a full reading of our current edition, or to obtain a copy or subscription, please contact us.

Inside Armonk Inside Chappaqua and Millwood Inside Pleasantville and Briarcliff Manor

Join Our Mailing List


Search Inside Press

Links

  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Digital Subscription
  • Print Subscription

Publisher’s Note Regarding Our Valued Sponsors

Inside Press is not responsible for and does not necessarily endorse or not endorse any advertisers, products or resources referenced in either sponsor-driven stories or in advertisements appearing in this publication. The Inside Press shall not be liable to any party as a result of any information, services or resources made available through this publication.The Inside Press is published in good faith and cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies in advertising or sponsor driven stories that appear in this publication. The views of advertisers and contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher’s.

Opinions and information presented in all Inside Press articles, such as in the arena of health and medicine, strictly reflect the experiences, expertise and/or views of those interviewed, and are not necessarily recommended or endorsed by the Inside Press. Please consult your own doctor for diagnosis and/or treatment.

Footer

Support The Inside Press

Advertising

Print Subscription

Digital Subscription

Categories

Archives

Subscribe

Did you know you can subscribe anytime to our print editions?

Voluntary subscriptions are most welcome, if you've moved outside the area, or a subscription is a great present idea for an elderly parent, for a neighbor who is moving or for your graduating high school student or any college student who may enjoy keeping up with hometown stories.

Subscribe Today

Copyright © 2025 The Inside Press, Inc. · Log in