Prince William County Public Schools

Thirty-five high school students from Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) who form part of the 2021-22 Human Rights Student Leadership Council (HRSLC), culminated their year of serving on the council with a special graduation ceremony to present them with certificates.

Curtis Porter, chair of the Human Rights Commission, gave opening remarks and welcomed guests to the students' graduation. Freedom High School's choir, under the direction of Milton Wilcher, choir director, provided musical entertainment. Superintendent Dr. LaTanya D. McDade, Dr. Lucretia Brown, chief equity officer for PWCS, and Carolyn Custard, PWCS school liaison, shared congratulatory remarks.

The Human Rights Commission offers participation in HRSLC to current high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors in public, private, and home school communities within Prince William County. The council helps develop young leaders and promotes dialogue on diversity, understanding, and an appreciation of the differences among students.

Isabella Aversano, a sophomore at Gainesville High School, shared the following when asked how to ensure the progression and reinforcement of universal human rights, "I think that we need to go a step beyond teaching students about human rights in schools to getting them involved in community projects and organizations. When students have hands-on experience working for the progression of universal human rights, it's more likely these values will be reinforced and longer lasting." The Prince William County Human Rights Commission, in partnership with PWCS, launched the HRSLC to enrich high school students with knowledge about their human rights, civil rights, and anti-discrimination laws. This unique collaboration between the Prince William County government and PWCS provides students with the opportunity to connect to their local government, exercise their civic duties, as well as explore future leadership roles as prospective employees, tenants, and consumers in the community.

Congratulations to the following PWCS students:

Battlefield High School
Daniel Kwon
Kundayi Mazando
Muhammad Usufzai
Jaylen Waithe

Brentsville District High School
Leo Landry

Charles J. Colgan Sr. High School
Trinity Chamblin
Adishiwot Fricke
Mia Hicks
Anna Phillips
Reagan Fournier
Carley Mayers
Michael Mazza

Forest Park High School
Luke Brockenberry

Freedom High School
Azara Abukari
Nishat Ahmed
Roqia Ali
Amailei Anderson
Angel Gill
Genisus Brown

Gainesville High School
Isabella Aversano
Shifa Fayyaz
Halia Hoffman

Gar-Field High School
Zerenity Walker

Independence Nontraditional School
Yasmin Ramirez-Dominguez
Faith Sellman

Osbourn Park High School
Hanna Aklil
Zachary Johnson
Madison Nally
Mehmood Shajih

Patriot High School
Anuti Shah

Potomac High School
Ciara Benitoe

Unity Reed High School
Alejandro Alegre

Woodbridge High School
Rediet Dawit
Kyle Pardo
Malia Sarmac