SADD Club Presentation Touches Community

by Rina Steinberg, SSLI ‘14

Today, members of the Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) Club hosted their much-awaited assembly, which they have been planning since September. Students started off in the gym with a presentation from Scott Fried, a motivational speaker, and afterwards broke out into individual sessions led by club members.

Members of SADD and of the SSLI community as a whole were inspired by Fried's address. (S. Thorgersen)

Motivational speaker Scott Fried, a Long Island native, gave today’s keynote address. Fried started touring schools in 1992 when he thought he was going to die of HIV. Fried said that he “wanted to be remembered” if he were to end up falling to the illness.

When students come up to Fried and tell him that they have been affected by his speech, Fried “truly see[s] the power that words can have.” If Fried had one piece of advice for students, it would be the following: “The privilege of life is to be surrounded in the presence of a few loving others who give you permission to be exactly who you are. Your job is to go forth and find them.”

SADD co-president, senior and PPN Contributor Suzanne Margolis said the club chose Fried as today’s speaker because when they asked about him from those who had previously heard him speak, they received “a lot of positive feedback.” While “unsure if the program will have a long term effect on the entire student body,” Margolis feels that “those who found Scott’s presentation to be meaningful will remain profoundly affected for life.”

Fried spoke with students about the need to love themselves and to know that they are "enough." (S. Thorgersen)

According to SADD co-president, senior and PPN’s Arts Editor Hannah Linsenbaum, Fried “exceeded all expectations.” Linsenbaum feels that Fried’s speech “captured the attention of most of the entire student body.” She added, “Whether or not students are affected in the long run, it is important that we all took time to think about and create an environment where it is comfortable to talk about the issues addressed today.” She concluded, “This is the first step towards making a difference.”

Sophomore Izzy Edelstein thought that Fried was “very motivational” and “really highlighted what it’s like to be a teenager in today’s world.”

Students discussed topics such as bullying during the breakout sessions. (M. Kulchinsky)

The individual breakout sessions included topics on sexual harassment, responsible sex, suicide, self-harm, eating disorders, alcohol, and drugs. Other members of the club led these sessions.

Senior Rebecca Cohen thought that the break out sessions “undermined the emotional stigma of Scott Fried.” She wishes that the breakout sessions had been “taken more seriously.”

Fried joined some of the breakouts and shared some insight on subjects. (M. Kulchinsky)

Senior Ashley Friedman remarked that the breakout sessions were “informative” and “educational.” She added, “the sessions really showed that we all have problems and that nobody is perfect.”

Students observed presentations during the breakouts and discussed their opinions on issues. (M. Kulchinsky)

Senior and SADD co-president Ben Winrauke concurred with Linsenbaum and Margolis following the events. He said, “I hope the lessons learned from this program stay with students for a long time.”

Rina Steinberg is a writer and Editor of Clubs for Paw Print Now, and has been publishing articles on the site since November 2012. Additionally, Rina is a writer for SSLI’s monthly publication, Paw Print. Rina is currently in her senior year at the Schechter School of Long Island, and can be reached at the following email: rsteinberg14@ssdsnassau.org