East Ramapo honors 14 ‘Sheroes’ at annual celebration; NY education commissioner attends
Loading...
Summary
The East Ramapo Central School District recognized 14 community leaders at the fifth annual Regent Judith Johnson Sheroes celebration in Spring Valley; New York State Education Commissioner Betty Rosa attended, pledged support for district students and announced a small scholarship contribution.
The East Ramapo Central School District honored 14 women Tuesday evening at its fifth annual Regent Judith Johnson Sheroes celebration in Spring Valley, recognizing community advocates, alumni and parents for work supporting students and families.
Carol Anderson, organizer of the Regent Judith Johnson Sheroes program, opened the event and introduced interim Superintendent Anna Rolisco, who thanked educators and the communications team for producing videos shown across the district. The program included musical performances and onstage recognitions for students and teacher advisors from multiple schools across the district.
New York State Education Commissioner Dr. Betty Rosa, introduced by Anderson, said she would continue to press for resources for East Ramapo students. "I am so proud that there is such an amazing commitment to the children of East Ramapo," Rosa said. During her remarks she and her husband pledged what the program described as a "$500.02" student scholarship to be awarded at year’s end (amount stated onstage by Rosa).
Organizers presented each honoree with onstage remarks and a short acceptance. Honorees included Sonia Tracy, co‑chair of the Spring Valley NAACP Civic Engagement Committee and founder of the GRACE mentoring program for middle school girls; Rabbi Paula MacDrill, who organizers described as the first woman rabbi in Rockland County and an active volunteer with Proyecto Faro; and Robin Wilner, credited with organizing parents and community members and working with the New York Civil Liberties Union to help families advocate for quality education.
Several honorees described local advocacy efforts that connect parents, nonprofits and alumni to schools. Delcie Osuazo, co‑director of Proyecto Faro, was recognized for immigrant‑rights outreach including school visits and volunteer legal assistance; Ellen Sue Cola and Dr. Leah Medlock Hawkins, both East Ramapo alumni who returned to speak with current students, highlighted mentoring and career pathways. Speakers repeatedly emphasized the role of parents and volunteers: "Refuse to stay silent," Mercy Carabajo said in accepting her honor.
The program also featured student readers and short videos produced by teacher advisers from district schools, with each presenting group called by school (ECC, Limekiln, Grandview, El Dorado, Ramapo High School, Chestnut Ridge, Pomona Middle, Margettes, Elmwood, Hempstead, Summit Park, Kakiette STEAM Academy, Fleetwood and Spring Valley High School).
Carol Anderson announced a program reevaluation meeting scheduled for April 8 and said the committee will continue work to deliver the school‑based programs and classroom visits highlighted at the event. The evening closed with applause for the committee and organizers.
The Sheroes program is explicitly designed to connect students with role models and community resources; several honorees said they will return to schools the next day to meet with juniors and seniors. The event did not include any formal board votes or policy actions; it was a recognition ceremony and community program.
