Gateway student wins essay prize; board hears mentorship program report
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Summary
A Gateway student who placed third in a Black History Month essay contest described Ella Baker's grassroots organizing, and district staff and teachers presented a girls' mentorship program that includes college visits, career panels and a Polar Plunge fundraiser that raised roughly $1,145 at the school level.
A student from Gateway School District read a Black History Month essay about civil-rights organizer Ella Baker and was recognized by the board after placing third in a regional contest.
The student, introduced by district staff as Gabriela Rosetti, told the board that Baker’s work emphasized grassroots organizing and empowering ordinary people. "Her philosophy created a strong base that supported the movement through its toughest times," the student said in the reading.
The presentation continued with counselors and teachers outlining a girls' mentorship program led by Miss Kunish and Missus Howard. The program began with an eighth-grade cohort that the presenters said is now in 11th grade and meets twice a month; activities include monthly high-school "Gator time" sessions, college visits and job-shadowing opportunities.
Missus Howard described recent trips and panels: students toured Penn State facilities, met women working in sports administration and media, and heard from a trainer and nutritionist. She said student leaders helped create a PowerPoint about the program and that the group emphasizes leadership and communication skills.
The presenters detailed fundraising and community-service activities tied to the program. They said the school raised about $1,145 in one week through teacher-themed donation jars and that districtwide participation raised about $2,500 for the Special Olympics. "We were able to raise $2,500 for the Special Olympics," a presenter told the board.
Board members asked whether the program includes seventh graders; presenters said the program started intentionally with eighth graders to focus on transition to high school but indicated they were open to assigning mentors to seventh-grade students. The board agreed to invite middle-school counselors to a future meeting for further discussion of middle-school supports.
The presentation closed with announcements about upcoming events: the Empower Her Summit on March 6 and an AHN hospital visit where students will see pharmacy, imaging and nursing units.
The board offered public congratulations; Dr. Rossi later reiterated the district's recognition of the student and noted Gateway High School student projects tied to Black History Month and other extracurricular recognitions.
The board did not take formal action on the mentorship program during the meeting; presenters described it as a grassroots initiative led by classroom staff and counselors and requested continuing district support for scheduling and logistics.