Team Harmony and the advanced dance students at RHS were honored with the prestigious “Outstanding Human Rights School Community of the Year Award” on Friday, Dec. 8, at Kean University.

The RHS honorees received the award for their outstanding action taken toward bullying prevention and making the high school a better place for all. In particular, the award recognized their combined efforts to stage an annual, anti-bullying spring showcase featuring dance, poetry, musical performances, skits and more at the high school.

“The actions of Team Harmony throughout the years led up to this prestigious award,” said Lisa Holloway, who advises the club and teaches business at the high school.  “Throughout the years, Team Harmony consistently strives to promote diversity awareness and anti-bullying through community and school-wide actions.”

The conference featured three prominent speakers: John Prendergast, The New York Times best-selling author and co-founder of The Sentry, an anti-war crimes organization that he co-founded with actor George Clooney; Sophia Kianni, founder of Climate Cardinals, the world’s largest youth-led climate nonprofit and the youngest appointed United Nations advisor; and Ndaba Mandela, the grandson of former South African President Nelson Mandela and co-founder of the Africa Rising Foundation.

The conference highlighted some of the human rights and climate issues we currently face. Prendergast and Mandela both spoke about their mission to combat inequities, particularly in Africa. Kianni spoke on the importance of the accessibility of information regarding climate change by translating information on the subject into numerous languages. They all highlighted areas of concern as well as their accomplishments in their pursuit to alleviate the injustices people face.

“I was so impressed with Sophia Kianni,” said honoree Michele Adriano, who teaches dance at the high school. “As a young, 21-year-old college student, she was incredibly well spoken, thoughtful, personable and relevant. I felt that much of what she had to say regarding climate control likely resonated with the many students in the audience, and she had the unique ability to connect with them in a fresh and relatable manner.”

RHS students who attended said the conference was extremely impactful for them. They were not only honored for their contributions to Team Harmony, but they also had the opportunity to listen to extraordinary speakers.

“I think that this conference impacted me in a way where I feel like I can make a change in the world, and it inspired me to take action here at RHS,” senior dance student Katie Gilligan said.