Empowering the Youth

Brentwood, NY (October 4, 2018)—The Brentwood Union Free School District (BUFSD) recently hosted a youth empowerment assembly provided by Teen Truth for students at Brentwood High School. More than 50 students attended the one-hour assembly followed by a two-hour leadership summit focused on campus-wide initiatives and critical issues to address to improve the atmosphere within BUFSD.

“Each day our students and faculty are working together to improve as individuals, classmates, colleagues and leaders in the community,” said Superintendent Richard Loeschner. “Together we will continue building a better world, one Brentwood student at a time.”

Teen Truth’s youth empowerment assembly tackled several teen related issues prevalent in today’s society including bullying, isolation, suicide, and factors that play a role in some teens choosing violence. Teen Truth presented the Brentwood students with original video footage created by other high school students to provide a critical understanding of the current issues through firsthand experiences.

JC Pohl, founder of Teen Truth, facilitated a workshop-style discussion to elicit honest input from students on the social-emotional issues affecting the BUFSD environment. Mr. Pohl and students dedicated three hours to develop an action plan of solutions that will create a positive atmosphere and improve culture within the school buildings.

Following the assembly, the high school faculty took the initiative to host a forum with district administrators to discuss issues that were brought up during the assembly. Faculty were able to understand from students’ perspectives how they feel, what issues they are dealing with, and what the best solutions are for district faculty to help.

With over 13 years of experience, Teen Truth has visited more than 7,000 schools and influenced nearly nine million lives on the different aspects of social issues teens face every day. The assemblies are designed to stop bullying, prevent suicide, and empower students to embrace a positive school culture throughout the entire community. The real-world examples and interactive presentations engage the audience and create a lasting impression.

“We hope the leadership summit will encourage student leaders to take what they have learned, and share it with the entire Brentwood community,” said Vincent Autera, principal of the freshman center at Brentwood High School. “We are confident that these programs will inspire our students and remind them to think before they act.”

For more information on the Brentwood Union Free School District, please visit the district’s website at www.brentwood.k12.ny.us.