High school students across New Jersey now have the opportunity to build their leadership skills and to be recognized for outstanding community service. NJ Students in Action is a recently launched national leadership development and service recognition program from the Jefferson Awards for Public Service. Underwritten by corporate sponsorship, the free program is available to all high schools in the Garden State. Students in Action provides students and their faculty advisors with a schedule of training sessions, peer networking opportunities, and a curriculum that moves students from “putting in the required community service hours” to creating and leading projects that address issues they care most about. The program culminates annually in a competition for the right to represent New Jersey at the national Jefferson Award ceremonies in Washington, D.C.
Fourteen high schools located in Newark, Elizabeth, and Denville are now completing their first year in the program. It is hoped that the number of schools will double in 2011-12.
About the Jefferson Awards
Established in 1972 by Jacqueline Kennedy and Sen. Robert Taft, Jr., the Jefferson Awards are a prestigious national recognition system honoring community and public service in America. Envisioned as the “Nobel Prize for Public Service,” the awards are presented to outstanding individuals and volunteer groups on national and local levels. The Jefferson Awards serve as a "Call to Action for Volunteers" in local communities, businesses, and educational institutions.
The Students in Action programs around the country are sponsored by a number of different corporations, organizations and foundations. Here in New Jersey, the activities are underwritten by PNC Bank, Verizon, PSE&G and BD. The program is coordinated by The Star-Ledger newspaper, The Community Foundation of N.J. and N.J. Governor’s Office for Volunteerism.
Goals and benefits of Students in Action
The Students in Action (SIA) program engages high school students in a leadership development curriculum based on seven attainable development goals, and recognizes outstanding student service and achievement in these areas. Seven goals of the Students in Action Program are:
- Engage your school community.
- Develop an effective leadership team.
- Expand volunteer capacity.
- Expand financial capacity for volunteers.
- Tell stories in the community.
- Help grow and expand SIA to other high schools.
- Innovate and pursue continuous improvement.
All high schools may participate in the Students in Action program. Students and their schools benefit in a number of ways:
- The program supports service and leadership initiatives that connect students to the greater community, boosting the school’s reputation locally.
- Schools who participate also enjoy a raised profile and recognition in their home state and potentially on a national stage.
- Students learn a variety of leadership skills that will serve them as they go on to higher learning, start their own businesses, and become community leaders.
- The Jefferson Awards are also a prestigious addition to any student’s college application.
Apply today!
To apply to the Students in Action program, your school’s principal must be on board. The principal will appoint a faculty coordinator who will work with the SIA regional director and see to the selection of student leadership team. Once your principal has reviewed the materials and submitted the required participation agreement to Students in Action, the regional director will meet with both the principal and the faculty coordinator prior to acceptance into the program. Once the regional director is satisfied that the school is ready to begin, they are accepted into the program.
To learn more about getting your students involved in Students in Action, contact Karen Hatcher, director, at 732-333-0462 or Karen@sianj.com. For more information, visit www.studentsinaction.org.
Karen Hatcher is the director of NJ Students in Action and the executive director of Celebrate NJ!