Alum selected as Upstander of the Month by HMTC

Christina-Romeo
Christina-Romeo

Sachem East alum Christina Romeo was selected as the Upstander of the Month by the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County.

Currently Romeo is a freshman at the College of St. Rose in Albany.

Here’s the blurb written about Romeo on the HMTC website:

Christina had been a victim of bullying from a young age. According to Christina, she felt “miniscule because of those who brought me down. I chose to believe that I was nothing, due to another person.” While struggling with bullying, Christina was introduced to Peer Education; a group within Sachem High School East that helps students educate each other on topics of bullying and intolerance. As a member of Peer Education, Christina found “the spirit hidden within me; I found a purpose. My purpose was to stand for those who had no voice.”

Christina turned her experience as a victim into a movement of education and inspiration. Through a school-sponsored event named “Challenge Day,” Christina led discussions to educate her peers on the dangers of intolerance.

Now, as a Freshman at the College of St. Rose, Christina is pursuing psychology to become a school psychologist in order to help young people with bullying. She is an active member of her college community and continues to be an Upstander through programs such as “Help Yourself Academy,” a mentoring program for 3rd graders. Of her experience, Christina says “I firmly believe that to make a difference in the world you must always start with the little things. Whether it is a small act of kindness to a stranger, or just complimenting yourself in the mirror before you start your day. Everything counts towards progress.”