In an effort to educate Lynbrook High School students on real-life experiences, the school’s student government with adviser Mary Kirby recently hosted their annual Human Relations Day. A variety of empowering organizations and individuals visited the school to speak with classes throughout the school day.

The keynote speaker for the day was Jacy Good and her husband Steve Johnson from the Hang Up and Drive program. The two nationally recognized public speakers and advocates for cellphone-free roads educated students about the dangers of cell phone use behind the wheel. Good made a miraculous recovery from a 2008 car crash, caused by a distracted driver, that claimed the lives of both her parents and left her partially paralyzed. 

“We thought the keynote speaker was amazing,” said student government president Dustin Mandell. “It was really inspiring because they talked about how that one moment of distracted driving impacts so many lives and has that ripple effect. I looked around and thought the other kids were really inspired by this and as I have walked around to see individual presentations, I think that these messages are all very powerful.”

Other speakers included Lynbrook High School senior Mikayla Layng, Ruthanne McCormack, The FealGood Foundation, The Viscardi School, SIBS Place, Project Forward, Dr. Caitlin Brown, Jeff Fenn, Arianne Reyer, Eden Laikin and Gillian Doupé. Among the significant stories and topics that were discussed, students learned about gender identity and acceptance, the mission to reduce substance abuse, healthy relationships, police in America, fighting adversity and more. 

In addition, student government members donned matching t-shirts with the words, “Today We Make Tomorrow Better,” fitting the district’s 2017-2018 theme of “Where Tomorrow Begins Today.” They participated in acts of kindness throughout the day to celebrate certain students, gifting them with gift-cards from local sponsors.