A World of Difference is a program organized by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). The club is run by freshman guidance counselor, Taryn Belowsky, Social Science teacher Gregory Hurley, and Principal Chris Mastrangelo.
The Anti-Defamation League is a non-governmental organization that “fights anti-Semitism and all forms of bigotry, defends democratic ideals, and protects civil rights for all.” Founded in 1913 by B’nai B’rith and Sigmund Livingston, their goal was to create a safe place for people of different religion, race, or gender to live the American dream.
The club is accepting 30 students from the sophomore and junior classes as peer leaders to mentor freshman. Belowsky states that “the peer leaders [will] go through intensive training on social justice, anti-bias, combating racism and discrimination.” The training will last three days and then the leaders will “facilitate lessons for the ninth grade population through advisory in the spring.”
Malden Public Schools began working with the ADL at the end of the last school year. Belowsky, Hurley, and Mastrangelo are working together to take advantage of all the resources they have been given to jumpstart the program. Belowsky and Hurley will take part in the activities to learn and help the students prepare as leaders.
Belowsky took part in a convention about the program over the summer for the advisors of the programs from all around New England. The advisors are taught how to implement the program into the schools.
The application to be a participant is a Google form that was either sent by email or presented to students during homeroom. The application asks general questions then asks for what is the interest behind participating in the program. Belowsky says that “[the advisors are] really looking for a strong mix of diversity to really get a good representation of [our] school.” She is seeking students who are “well-rounded” even if they lack in other criterias. After the applicants are chosen the training will be provided by professionals from the ADL program.
Belowsky’s ultimate goal is to make the school “more kind”. She believes that once in awhile there are unjust situations that occur in the school that she can help solve. She also believes that this program can be an outlet for some students to express their opinions on controversial topics and the current events that are happening. She wants students to be able to process the current events happening in the world and help them take action if they see unjust situations.
Sophomore Kathleen Hoang attended the interest meeting and is considering applying for a position in the program. She states that “It would be a good change for [our] school” and has heard of past events in the school that regard some of these topics. The program is something new and interesting so Hoang thinks that it is a good opportunity.
Belowsky states that “making our school and greater community hopefully more inclusive and kind” is an achievement she is looking forward to see.
“Belowsky states that “making our school and greater community hopefully more inclusive and kind” is an achievement she is looking forward to see.”
I think this a great ending quote because it really wraps it all up and sends a positive mood to the readers of this article. I also love the fact that you used an example of somebody who was thinking about participating in the ADL because it gave an MHS student perspective. Everything about the program was well explained and overall this article was great and I enjoyed reading it. You did an amazing job, Jennica Ruan!