Students take flight to change

SPARTA — Be Fearless, Choose Kindness” was the theme for the Sussex County Taking Flight to Change Middle School Summit held Friday, October 19th, 2018 at Sparta High School. The Summit is in its 17th year with this year’s theme designed to help give youth the “tools, motivation, and confidence to stop bullying and promote a caring school.”
Just over 1,000 middle school and high school mentors from local area schools electrified the Sparta High School Auditorium with clapping, cheering, dancing and singing during the various performances, presentations and speeches.
Becky Carlson from the Center for Prevention & Counseling welcomed everyone and said, “This is all about youth, working together to make a difference. We are grateful for each of you being here and being fearlessly kind!” Carlson also thanked the key sponsor, Visions Federal Credit Union along with the FirstEnergy Foundation of JCP&L, and the many volunteers and staff that helped with the event.
Francis Koch, Sussex County Prosecutor encouraged students by saying, “Be part of a new generation where kindness is the norm. Go back to your school and set an example.”
Keith Hawkins was the keynote speaker, back by popular demand. Hawkins is a national speaker that addresses over 400,000 students, educators, business owners, and parents each year. He has co-authored the books, Teen Power and Beyond and Go M.A.D. Hawkins weaved personal stories, humor and instruction into his presentation that invigorated the students to Be Fearless, Choose Kindness.
Hawkins honed in on helping students understand the difference between “Fun” and “Funny.” Hawkins said, “With fun everyone is included and gets to be a part of it and we are all laughing and physically feel good!”
He went on to say, “Funny is when someone is being laughed at, funny hurts.” He asked students to stay involved with “Academics, Athletics, Activities, Arts.” Hawkins personally hosted Leadership Breakout sessions with the students after lunch.
Another crowd favorite, back by popular demand, was The Camden Sophisticated Sisters (CSS).
CSS has been featured on Oprah, Good Morning America, Dancing with the Stars, Anthony Bourdain's Parts Unknown and more! CSS believes in the power of education and the importance of service and intertwines both into their skit and dance performances.
“School performances are an important piece of the day and so empowering to those participating and also to their peers who cheer them on from the audience!” said Tina Aue, Center for Prevention & Counseling. Students also enjoyed skits, singing performances, and video presentations from local schools including Sussex Tech, Stillwater Elementary School, Sussex County Charter School, Hardyston Middle School, Sussex Middle School, Franklin Elementary School, Sparta Middle School, and Sparta High School.
For more information about Center for Prevention and Counseling’s programs, call (973)383-4787, visit their website at www.centerforprevention.org or LIKE and follow their Instagram, Twitter and Facebook pages.