Bloomfield High Students Join Peers For Disability Mentoring Day

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — A group of students from Bloomfield High School were among 100 from 14 schools across New Jersey to participate in Novartis Pharmaceuticals’ annual Disability Mentoring Day in East Hanover.

According to a company news release, the Bloomfield students joined peers for a day of inspirational activities and bonding, all held under the theme of “I CAN” and designed to increase confidence and help them prepare for future careers.

Keynote speaker Scott Chesney delivered an inspiring talk highlighting his ‘I CAN’ spirit, which describes his determination to live a fulfilling life after being left paralyzed from a sudden spinal stroke.

Chesney, a world traveler and adventurer, is president of Raise Hope Foundation, which trains, mentors and places those with disabilities and veterans for careers in financial services.

“Scott’s inspirational message was uplifting to us all and showed that his disability does not hold him back from whatever he wishes to achieve in life,” said Bryant Aaron, vice president and chief compliance officer at Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation and U.S. country head, ethics and compliance.

In addition to Chesney’s speech, companies with “strong inclusion policies” were invited to participate in a career fair held onsite. Students were able to interact with organizations and discuss opportunities available after high school.

The students also received a lesson from yoga instructor and mindfulness practitioner Karen Felix, who showed the students how to tap into their own “I CAN” spirit by using mindfulness to increase confidence.

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Photo: Novartis