Educators who empower and support the National Youth Empowerment Board.
Educators who empower and support the National Youth Empowerment Board.
The School Advisory Committee is a dedicated group of educators and Trusted Adults who empower and support the Sandy Hook Promise National Youth Empowerment Board (NYEB), a group of youth leaders who serve as the national voice of SAVE Promise Clubs and Sandy Hook Promise. The School Advisory Committee also provides insight, feedback, and direction for our violence prevention programs.
Mt. Carmel High School, California
“Joining the SAC and helping with SAVE Promise Clubs means being able to promote the importance and power of youth voices to reduce gun violence and keep our schools and communities safe.”
Sheila Hatfield is a Student Services Specialist in the Poway Unified School District in San Diego, California. Sheila has worked at Mt. Carmel High School for the last 15 years. In this position, she is available to support students in all areas other than academics: coaching in life skills, providing a listening ear and encouragement for teens, prevention and cessation, and guidance towards good decision-making. As a SAVE Promise Club Advisor, she can help students develop their leadership skills and to raise their voices in advocacy. The safety and wellbeing of students is a passion of hers, and she is glad to be able to support students in learning ways to promote inclusion and belonging. Sheila loves to travel and spend time with her family.
Cutler Bay Senior High School, Florida
“I am a child survivor of gun violence. No child or adult should be impacted by gun violence, as well as deal with short- or long-term trauma. This is why I serve and advocate for safe schools and communities to prevent gun violence everywhere.”
Dr. West is a high school teacher of 24 years. As her passion about school and community safety continues to grow, this marks her eighth year serving as a SAVE Promise Club Advisor. As a child, her mom was impacted by gun violence. One of her goals is to bring the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System to Miami-Dade County Public Schools. Her favorite SHP program is Start With Hello, which fosters inclusion and builds school and community culture. Her proudest accomplishment is being a mom. She recognizes from her experiences that children have different strengths and needs. The SAVE Promise Club at Cutler Bay Senior High seeks to accomplish increased Club membership, engagement, and provide a brave space, so that all students can participate regardless of talent and abilities.
Hickory Ridge High School, North Carolina
“I love SAVE Promise Club and the YAB because it gives youth the opportunity to advocate and lead efforts to end gun violence and improve the well-being of their peers."
Christina Sell is a social studies teacher and a SAVE Promise Club advisor since Fall of 2018. She has previously served on the School Advisory Commitee for three consecutive years. Christina is currently the co-advisor of their Club with a friend and colleague, which has continued to strengthen their organization. The SAVE Promise Club at Hickory Ridge High School is well-known throughout the school district and has inspired other schools of all grade levels to start their own SAVE Promise Clubs. She plans to continue all of their successes as a Club and continues to advocate for youth mental health and safety.
Tantasqua Regional Sr. High School, Massachusetts
“Perhaps one of the most fulfilling aspects of the SAVE Promise Club is to see the students make such a wonderful impact on fellow students, the school, and greater community as a whole.”
Heather Cameron has been an English Teacher for six years at Tantasqua Regional High School, who strives to inspire her students to make connections beyond the classroom. As an involved educator, Heather has pioneered a new Illustrated Storytelling and Graphic Novel elective as well as proudly dedicates her hours to the success and sense of belonging of her students by providing them opportunities to study after school or meet in various clubs like the SAVE Promise Club or the literary arts magazine for the school. Heather looks forward to continuing to cultivate a close-knit school community through SAVE's mission and to continue to expand the Club at Tantasqua.
The Barack Obama Male Leadership Academy, Texas
"The plan is to utilize all of my resources to not only to create a safer environment for our stakeholders, but also to bring more awareness to the missions of SAVE and the Sandy Hook Promise."
Doranner Legington is a 25-year veteran Visual Arts Educator. He is a functioning creative artist working in the areas of visual arts, spoken word poetry, and dance. Mr. Legington is highly accomplished in this field as a published photographer, several art exhibits as a painter and 3-D artist, former dancer of the Exhibit Dance Collective (Dallas, Texas), and a recording and performing spoken word artist. This year he hopes to accomplish a growth in their SAVE Promise Club membership at the school while getting more adults involved through a mentoring program that creates a safe place for students to discuss issues as a preventive measure.
Southern Columbia High School, Pennsylvania
“After our school community was devastated by the loss of two students to suicide within 6 months of each other, we looked into suicide prevention programs. Sandy Hook Promise and SAVE Promise Club stood out as excellent opportunities. I have been nothing but thrilled with the program.”
Andrea Borys feels that being able to feel another’s perspective, encouraging, and motivating them to see the best in themselves and others, or the world, is something she does well. Andrea believes that it is a blessing to be able to find a positive in a negative situation, to take a tragedy and create something lifesaving, just like Sandy Hook Promise does, every day. Andrea is blessed to be a wife, mother of five, and World Language teacher. This marks Andrea’s seventh year serving as a SAVE Promise Club Advisor with 90 active students amongst the middle and high school Clubs. They look forward to what they will be able to do next for their students, district, and community.
Booker T. Washington High School, GA
“My experience as a Site Coordinator with Communities in School of Atlanta (CIS) aligns with Sandy Hook Promise’s mission, because empowering and educating the youth is important to ensure the safety of our students in schools and in the community.”
Melissa Johnson is the Site Coordinator for Communities in School of Atlanta (CIS), housed at The Booker T. Washington High School. This marks her third year serving as a SAVE Promise Club Advisor. Her goal this year on the School Advisory Committee is to empower student leadership, while fostering a safe, supportive, and inclusive school environment.
Northshore High School, Louisiana
“I find so much inspiration in the passion the YAB have to bring change in their communities. This has trickled back into my own Club, and I have seen massive growth and success the past year.”
Brooke Hagler-Duffaut teaches Talented Music at school and offers additional private voice and piano lessons after school. She is also in graduate school to get her Masters in Vocal Pedagogy. She is a classically trained vocalist and pianist who enjoys performing musical theatre and song-writing. Brooke advocates for positive lifestyles for local youth, working with a local organization called ACTION Youth and Community Resources. She has been involved with the organization for the past 20 years. Brooke is also a SAVE Promise Club Advisor and is super excited to be on the School Advisory Committee for a second year! In her spare time (which is rare to have), Brooke enjoys spending time with her husband and three dogs, traveling to new places, and playing music.
Biloxi High School, Mississippi
"Supporting my students as they grow into leaders and changemakers is one of the greatest joys of my work, and Sandy Hook Promise gives them the tools to make their schools, and the world, safer.”
Daisy McCarroll is the Assistant Chief of the Biloxi Schools Campus Police Department and has served as a School Resource Officer for 18 years. She founded the Campus Service Council (CSC), which is now the largest club on campus with over 100 members and 1,700+ service hours this year. Daisy was named SAVE Advisor of the Year, and CSC has received honors including SAVE Chapter of the Year and the Mary Lou Buchanan Award. She also earned the Crime Stoppers Education Officer of the Year award for her work at Biloxi High School. Daisy remains dedicated to empowering youth through service and school safety. Outside of work, she loves spending time with her husband, son, and puppy, and squeezing in a tennis match whenever she can.
Amos Alonzo Stagg High School, Illinois
“Twelve years ago I received an email about Sandy Hook Promise and their mission, as a teacher I felt passionate that I could bring the mission of SHP to my school.”
Erin Wendt is finishing her 22nd year as a Family and Consumer Science teacher and second year as the SAVE Promise Club Advisor her school. However, she has been involved with Sandy Hook Promise for much longer. Twelve years ago, Erin and her coworker brought Say Something Week to the school and since then their mission and Club have grown tremendously. She is proud of their SAVE Promise Club at Amos Alonzo Stagg High School for being awarded the Community and Sustainability award for several years, highlighting their commitment and the profound difference we can make!
Connecticut
“The message of SAVE Promise Clubs is an important one and it’s something that can’t be shared enough. I have lost classmates and students to suicide, and the Know the Signs Program can do so much to help prevent loss and work towards positive change. All change starts small, and I want to be able to continue to encourage students to get involved.”
Shannon Healy is in her fifth year as a Social Studies Teacher in Connecticut. She has previously worked with and helped found the SAVE Promise Club at Jonathan Law High School in Milford, CT. Shannon is a proud SAVE Promise Club advisor because her students care about their safety and wellbeing not just at school but also in their communities. She believes it is vital to support and encourage students' desire to create change and growth in their communities. Her previous Club continues to grow and she plans to continue to build on that momentum in her new role. She enjoys working with extraordinary young leaders and changemakers.
Jonathan Law High School, Connecticut
"I believe that no child should ever feel lonely and unsupported. It is our job as adults to help provide resources and support for each child to flourish, and grow to become their best selves."
Giuliana Bregoli is a Special Education Teacher, going into her ninth-year teaching and second year at Jonathan Law. Giuliana was immediately impressed by the message and impact of the SAVE Promise Club at her school and wanted to get involved. She believes that community is at its best when everyone is working together and helping each other. As a mom, Giuliana teaches her sons the importance of kindness and being helpful. She is excited to help the young leaders in SAVE Promise Clubs expand their reach and impact to their local communities. She also looks forward to supporting the National Youth Advisory Board to make a difference for youth throughout the country.
Iroquois Senior High School, New York
“It is important to me to promote ideals such as kindness, empathy, acceptance and respect; to celebrate the differences that make each individual unique; to foster connections; and to recognize the inherent value of each person we encounter.”
Judi Slowik is a Speech-Language Pathologist and advises several clubs including a Diversity Club/SAVE Promise Club, GSA, Ski and Snowboard Club, the Class of 2028, and the BAND Against Bullying group. Judi has been a SAVE Promise Club advisor for two years. She is passionate about promoting the message of Sandy Hook Promise, increasing awareness and safety within the district, and improving the school experience for all. Judi is proud of how hard the students at Iroquois High School work to spread the message and make a difference by the number of credible calls to the tipline. Judi looks forward to brainstorming and promoting activities that empower students to spread messages of inclusivity, empathy, and acceptance.
SAVE Promise Club creates lasting change that leads to safer schools and communities. Join your local Club or start one today!
Stay informed on what Sandy Hook Promise is doing to help prevent gun violence in schools, homes and communities.
