ELIZABETH, NJ — Disney Friends for Change and Free the Children brought the “Dream Big Speaking Tour” to Elizabeth High School to empower 11th- and 12th-grade students to leverage their skills, creativity and imagination to create a brighter tomorrow. The leadership initiative provides youth with tools and resources to tap into their imagination and turn their ideas into action. The event featured an hourlong multimedia presentation, an interactive workshop, and action-planning sessions while offering further access to a support network and customized curricular resources.
The themes introduced during the presentation by Free the Children speakers Lindy Keefe and Theresa Girardi included using creativity to make a difference, unleashing creativity through art, problem solving, and critical thinking, turning dreams into action, making the world a better place, and creating a brighter future. Following the presentation, 25 student leaders of Elizabeth High school were selected to participate in the interactive workshop and action plan sessions that focused on how the creative ideas of today can change the world of tomorrow.
Since 2011, Disney Friends for Change has worked alongside Free the Children to empower young people to take action and have provided more than 25,000 hours of volunteer service to local organizations across the United States.
Elizabeth Board of Education President Ana Maria Amin said she believes students of Elizabeth High School will benefit greatly from the Dream Big initiative.
“Elizabeth High School, the No. 1 high school in New Jersey, is filled with bright young minds that will undoubtedly make a significant impact on our future society,” said Amin. “What organization is better suited to educate these young men and women about making dreams come true and tap into their creativity and imagination than Disney?”
Elizabeth Public Schools Superintendent Olga Hugelmeyer welcomed Disney Friends for Change and Free the Children to Elizabeth High School, saying “Elizabeth Public Schools was one of the first school districts in the United States to partner with Disney to provide leadership and customer service training for its team members and it yielded great results. Our district leaders were highly engaged and received invaluable lessons to apply toward creating an inspiring and innovative learning environment for our students.”
For further information on Elizabeth Public Schools, visit www.epsnj.org.