Edison Student Leaders R.I.S.E. Together: Amplify Impact, Inspire Change On March 26, 2025, student voices took center stage at the 2nd Annual R.I.S.E. (Respect, Inclusion, Support, Empower) Student Leadership Conference , held at Middlesex College. With this year’s theme, "Amplify Impact, Inspire Change," the event brought togethe r 170 student leaders from all six secondary schools across Edison Township, creating an energetic and collaborative space focused on empowerment, inclusion, and meaningful leadership. Organized by Dr. Hitisha Patel in partnership with the district’s Student Equity Advisor teams: Jennine Duggan, Sanyogita Padhye Basu, Stephanie Cardoso, Neha Coles, Samantha Laiso, and Haley Connell , this year’s R.I.S.E. Conference was a true celebration of student voice and vision. A special thank you goes out to Ms. Lopez, Ms. Cortez, and Ms. Chamberlain for their incredible support in making this event possible. The conference kicked off with an inspiring keynote address from Dr. Fay Kim, Principal of JP Stevens High School , who spoke on Inspiring Change in the School Community as a Student Leader. Dr. Kim’s words left students feeling motivated to embrace their leadership roles, build empathy, and work together to foster inclusive, supportive school communities. The day featured two main sessions and 12 student-led breakout workshops focused on key themes such as well-being, emotional intelligence, inclusion, belonging, and building strong school communities.
Session 1: Amplify Your Voice encouraged students to harness the power of their voice and speak up for positive change. Session 2: Make an Impact challenged student leaders to turn ideas into action and drive lasting transformation in their communities. Poster Sessions: In addition to the sessions, Herbert Hoover Middle School led a creative poster session series titled Leadership Unfolded: Discover, Inspire, Lead. This series addressed key topics such as well-being and belonging, providing students with the opportunity to explore these essential areas of leadership and reflect on how they can create inclusive, supportive environments in their schools. Session Highlights
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