Stephanie, left, with the United Messengers of Peace – August 2013
*File Photo by Katherine Massopust

Stephanie is a high school student who would make any parent proud. And she did! It’s not often that you find someone so young who is not afraid to speak her mind.

Stephanie will give you the proper recognition if she feels you have done something constructive to help students reach their potential.

But God help you if she feels that you are only doing something to promote your own agenda and using students as a stepping stone for that purpose. Anyone who has attended the Perth Amboy Board of Education Meeting knows that Stephanie pulls no punches.

Her parents are always present at the Board of Education meetings to lend their support. Stephanie is also the founder of the  United Messengers of Peace.

The United Messengers of Peace is a Community Group formed mainly by students with support of their parents and other members of the community. Some of the members of the group are members of the Honor’s Program.

Stephanie Rodriguez

When the program was faced with redefinition/elimination in the Perth Amboy Public School System, the students banded together to finally have that program reinstated. Stephanie led the charge.

She also fought to make others aware how difficult it was for physically handicapped students to attend regular classes.

I received a message from Stephanie’s mother to let me know that Stephanie will be attending Colonia High School in September. This is quite an achievement for Stephanie since Colonia High School was a Silver Ranked School Nationwide for 2013.

I’m sure that Stephanie would have preferred to stay at Perth Amboy High School where she had a kinship with her fellow students, especially her Honor’s Students Classmates. But she knew in her heart that she had to attend a school that would allow her to achieve her highest aspirations.

Congratulations, Stephanie!
– C.M.