Bay Shore Middle School Student Recognized as Upstander of the Month
The Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County is pleased to announce George Rettaliata as the January “Upstander of the Month” for being an advocate for students with special needs, both within his own school and throughout his community.
A 7th-grade student at Bay Shore Middle School, Rettaliata volunteers one day each week in a special-needs classroom and in a neighboring elementary school. He not only provides academic support, but extends his friendship and in so doing models respect and acceptance to students and adults alike. Rettaliata implements the mission of the Center by advocating respect for all people.
Each month the Center accepts nominations from teachers, civic leaders, family and friends of a Long Island youth who has implemented the mission of the Center by advocating “Respect for All People.” The nominee will have shown her/himself to be an Upstander against intolerance in any of its forms. The student’s action as an Upstander could be one of intervention or prevention.
As Rettaliata has expressed, “Seeing how we each cope with challenges in different ways makes me realize that we all have unique gifts.”
“We are in the third month of program, and we are very excited to see how Long Island’s youth exemplify the meaning of being an Upstander,” said Dr. Sarah Cushman, the director of youth education at the Center.
To nominate a student for the “Upstander of the Month Award,” or to learn more, e-mail Dr. Cushman at sarahcushman@holocaust-nassau.org, or call 516-571-8040 ext. 106.
The Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center is on the forefront of the discussion and education of tolerance. Founded in 1992, the Center builds a bridge from history to the contemporary issues of prejudice and discrimination that many experience today, a primary concern of its passionate chairman Howard Maier. #
