2002 Program Highlights
The Stand & Deliver program extends beyond the classroom with
large group symposiums and special events that bring together all 13 sites
to one location. This year's events included two symposiums featuring
various prominent members of the corporate community as well as experts
from the fashion industry. We also hosted the third annual Stand &
Deliver "Night of Eloquence" at the New Jersey Performing
Arts Center in Newark.
Symposium I - Beyond the Bottom Line: Lessons in Leadership
This first symposium focused on the critical link between communication
and leadership. Students interacted in a question and answer session with
a panel of leaders from Newark's corporate community. In a candid discussion,
students learned about the importance of verbal and non-verbal communication
in the workplace as well as what employers look for in an interview. The
panelists included Philip Thomas, Vice President for the New Jersey Performing
Arts Center, Michael Ford, Regional Executive Vice President for MBNA
America Bank, and Maria Vizcarrando DeSoto, President and CEO of The United
Way of Essex and West Hudson. From leadership and mentoring to what to
wear on an interview, the Stand & Deliver participants walked
away from this symposium with a glimpse into the corporate world.
Symposium II - Dress for Success
As an extension of the first symposium, "Dress for Success"
focused on such areas as how to dress for an interview, what employers
look for in a resume and the importance of communication excellence in
the workplace. Featuring fashion panelists with diversified backgrounds,
this symposium also touched on careers in the fashion industry.
Participants engaged in a roundtable discussion about current trends in
fashion, interviewing for a job in the fashion industry as well as furthering
their education in related fields. Panelists included the following professionals
from the fashion industry:
- James Davis: Fashion Photographer
- Sharon Kornstein: Model turned image design consultant
- Mary Lafayette: Celebrity fashion stylist
- Ira Perry: Fashion retail buyer
- Anne Marie Principe: President of Diva Model Management
- Steven Robinson: Fashion retail executive turned designer
- Caryl Renoir Lucas: Style expert and producer
THE THIRD ANNUAL STAND & DELIVER "NIGHT OF ELOQUENCE"
At the Third Annual Stand & Deliver "Night of Eloquence", young adults once again had the opportunity to get up on stage and present in front of an audience of their peers, parents and special guests. This year's program strongly addressed the link between communication and leadership in light of the events of September 11.
 Stand & Deliver participants receive a standing ovation for their participation in the spring 2002 program. |
 Steve Adubato and Teresa Abrusci with Stand & Deliver workshop leaders Jim Danielson, Vivian Lanzot, James Souder, Wendy Davis, Nico Caraballo, Baba Karade and Najeeb Alli. |
The evening was also an opportunity for the awarding of the First Annual
"Stand & Deliver / United Way of Essex and West Hudson
Communication Excellence Scholarship." Graduating seniors were eligible
to submit an application for a $2,000 scholarship and were asked to complete
a series of questions and short essays regarding communication and leadership.
The scholarship could be applied to a two- or four-year college, trade
school or other type of continuing education program.
 Stand & Deliver president Steve Adubato and The United Way of Essex and West Hudson president Maria Vizcarrondo-DeSoto with scholarship recipients Nadirah Eaton, Elisa Rivera, Steven Stokes and Natalia Sardo. |
 Jim Danielson, James Souder, Baba Karade and Stand & Deliver president Steve Adubato at the Third Annual Stand & Deliver Night of Eloquence. |
The winners of the spring 2002 "Communication Excellence" scholarship were:
- Nadirah Eaton - Malcolm X Shabazz
- Elisa Rivera - Saint Vincent Academy
- Steven Stokes - Barringer High School
-
Natalia Sardo - Lacodaire Academy
This year, we also awarded Stand & Deliver "Certificates of Graduation" to all participants who completed the program. This certificate recognized each participant's achievements in communication and leadership. At the conclusion of the evening, all Stand & Deliver participants were invited on stage as they received a standing ovation from their parents, peers and special guests.
 Dominick McKoy Senior, University High School “Prejudice” an original oratory (Click for Video Clip) |
 Ah-Tavia Maxey Sophomore, Central High School “God is more God than a Devil is a Devil” an original poem (Click for Video Clip) |
If you would like to learn more about the Stand & Deliver program, please call the Project Director, at (973) 233-9890.
