At James Caldwell High School, there are many clubs which students can join. One that specifically stood out to me was the “Self-advocacy Club” run by Mrs. Keil and Mrs. Vercelli. The club originally started with the intention to give students a place where they feel that they fit in. Furthermore, each member celebrates and understands that everyone is unique in their own ways. The seniors in this club are Kite Rozell, Kelly Pappas, Melisa Ozen, and Jane Weinfeld. They have all been in the club and participated for many years. The club overall stands for advocating for yourself and others even when times are tough. Sending this message to younger students is extremely beneficial. They will be able to understand and support the club in various ways.

Photo Courtesy of Kelly Pappas

The Self-Advocacy Club travels to the Grover Cleveland Middle School to talk to the younger students about what their club stands for and help influence the younger generation. One of the Grover Cleveland Middle School students stated that this was the best day that had ever had. Kelly Pappas, a student at James Caldwell High School, gave us further detail about what their day consisted of. She stated that they did arts and crafts to help introduce the sixth graders to each other by connecting them by their favorite things. Kelly also explained the five ways to self advocate. 

The Five Ways to Self-Advocate are: 

• • Know Yourself: To begin advocating for yourself, you need to acknowledge your strengths, weaknesses, and personal goals.
  • Communication: Learning to express your feelings in a calm, respectful manner can create a positive environment for all.
  • Find Allies: Creating a positive, welcoming support group can help emphasize the value of team-work while self-advocating.

• Persistence & Determination: Continuously expressing your feelings may not change the circumstances instantly, so being persistent is key to achieving your goals.

• Problem Solving: Approaching challenges with a mindset that revolves around seeking solutions empowers those to strive for greatness. 

Going further, the Self-Advocacy club explores new ways to expand their message throughout different communities. The club hopes to do this by visiting expanded age groups and spreading their message. By collaborating with students of every age group, they hope to be able to connect with them through various ways. A major way they will connect is through PenPal notes, which the members typically send out to Wilson Elementary School. By participating in these additional initiatives, it shows how the club is not specifically focused on just high school students. 

By introducing and exposing the younger audience to these values, it helps them build good relationships and potential mentorships that will guide them throughout their schooling and beyond. As the club expands and expresses their messages, they hope that more schools in New Jersey will follow their footsteps as a result. Overall, the Self-Advocacy Club is one of our most influential clubs and sends an amazing message about advocating for yourself!