Lead For Diversity, advised and assisted by Mr. Torres, Mrs. Torres, and Mrs. Jordan, is a nationwide organization which promotes programs that foster inclusion, respect and recognizing the value of diversity. The organization works with businesses, educational institutions, and organizations to create positive cultures within communities that enhance diversity initiatives, foster dialogue, and build values. Here at FTHS, student members of this specialized team include Anna DePass, Nicholas LaCanna, Joseph Paderon, Ellis Parks, Michelle Rodriguez, Camryn Bartone, Dom Cardace, Fiona Krkuti, Emily Landolfi, Tristin Tobenkin, and Talia Torrens. One of the many initiatives run by this team is called “LFD Celebrates Diversity,” where each member designates a picture frame outside of the cafeteria to highlight a teacher, celebrity, community member, etc. to recognize what makes them diverse and their impact on diverse communities. New individuals have just been put up for the month of January highlighting teachers, activists, actors, performers, and many more. 

Michelle Rodriguez Highlights Mrs. LoPiccolo

Mrs.LoPiccolo is currently FTHS’s Italian teacher, an educator in all four levels of the language. She is a master of three languages: Sicilian, Italian, and English. What makes Mrs.LoPiccolo so unique is that she grew up speaking Sicilian and had to learn Italian similar to her students. She puts passion into her teaching and devotes time to not only teaching Italian but to educating her students about Italian culture and customs. 

Tristen Tobenkin Highlights Mr. Wong 

Mr. Wong was born in the U.S. but has a unique background. He is of Asian American and Chinese descent and values the importance of family and appreciating/respecting others. One of Mr. Wong’s favorite custom is getting dim sum as he likes choosing from the variety since it adds excitement to the tasty dish itself. While Mr. Wong currently teaches in the science department at FTHS, he was once interested in becoming an art teacher. For Mr. Wong, the support from his coworkers and his students’ interest in learning motivates him to be the best teacher he can be! 

A quote Mr. Wong lives by: “If you’re scientifically literate, the world looks very different to you.” – Neil DeGrasse Tyson

Anna DePass Highlights SZA (Solàna Imani Rowe)

Solani Imani Rowe, a New Jersey native, was born in St. Louis Missouri and raised in Cherry Hill, NJ. SZA’s mastery of elements from neo-soul, alternative/minimalist R&B, and Indie-Rock have led her on a path to success (as seen in her debut, critically acclaimed, platinum-album Crtl). In recent years, her recognition in pop culture and musical composition has grown, allowing her to build a platform as a respected black, female artist, feminist, and activist. Outside of the studio, she dedicates her time to various programs that aim to dismantle environmental racism, white-privilege, and neglect.

Nicholas LaCanna Highlights Senator Tammy Duckworth 

Tammy Duckowrth currently serves as the Junior United States senator from Illinois and is a retired Army National Guard Lieutenant Colonel. She was a combat veteran of the Iraq war and a U.S. Army helicopter pilot during her military career. In 2004, her helicopter was shot down by Iraqi Insurgents and she lost both her legs and parts of her right arm. Her injuries were so severe that she was awarded the Purple Heart. Despite her injuries, she served in the military for another ten years and was elected to the House of Representatives in 2012 and then the Senate in 2016, becoming the first Thai American woman elected to Congress. She has been a strong advocate for women’s rights and family support in Congress.    

Joseph Paderon Highlights DRAKE

Drake first came to prominence in the teen soap Degrassi: The Next Generation in the role of Jimmy Brooks, a wheelchair-bound character which he played for seven years. After leaving the show, he became one of the biggest rappers on the planet after signing a deal with Lil Wayne’s label Young Money Entertainment. He is rarely out of the headlines, whether it’s for dating Rihanna or Jennifer Lopez, founding his own label, OVO Sound, or fronting the NBA’s Toronto Raptors as the team’s global ambassador. It is no surprise that Jay Z labeled him as the Kobe Bryant of hip hop.

Ellis Parks Highlights Gabriella Sarmiento Wilson

Gabriella Sarmiento Wilson, who grew up in the bay area of Vallejo, California, is world renowned for her career as an RnB vocalist and instrumentalist prodigy. As an individual who is both black and Filipino, Ms. Wilson embellishes on how she experiences both cultures in her everyday life. In such an early stage in her career, H.E.R has performed various iconic performances on the stages of the Grammys, B.E.T, N.A.A.C.P, Soul Train, and so much more. H.E.R has gained fifteen musical awards from phenomenal organizations like the Grammys and the Oscars. Ms. Wilson continues to strive as an activist and consistently utilizes her platform to discuss issues of black Americans and black women. 

Camryn Bartone Highlights Marlee Matlin

Marlee Matlin is an American, Oscar-winning actress who advocates for diversity amongst the thousands of stars in Hollywood. She has recently brought to the public’s attention that individuals with disabilities are often left out of the conversation about inclusion and promoting diversity in the field. Matlin has been successful in bringing light to the issue and bringing others along to assist her in spreading awareness, as seen by the Open Letter to the Entertainment Industry regarding the lack of disabled representation in Hollywood.

“We as an industry keep talking about diversity — we know we have a problem. But, sadly, when we start speaking about diversity, disability seems to be left out far too often.”

Dom Cardace Highlights Simone Manuel 

Simone Manuel is a 5x Olympic medalist in swimming and most notable for being the first African American woman to win gold in an individual event in Olympic history. She is known for her courage, perseverance, and determination that got her to the podium at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Outside of the people, Simone is an avid advocate for criminal justice and organizations like Black Lives Matter that support racial equality. Although proud of her accomplishments, Simone actively calls for change within society to see her as not a woman of color but a woman and has continued to break down barriers and have hard discussions with the upcoming generation of athletes and Americans.

Fiona Krkuti Highlights Sydney McLaughlin 

Sydney McLaughlin is a two time Olympic champion, recently set the world record in the 400m Hurdles, and won gold in the 4×4 at only twenty-one years old. Being African- American, she has experienced numerous struggles while being constantly in the eyes of the public, starting from the age of 16. Overall, McLaughlin has made it a goal to set an example for young African American women who were afraid to achieve their dreams and because she has done just that, she is a perfect role model. 

Emily Landolfi Highlights Femi Oguns

Femi Oguns is a British Agent who advocates for inclusivity in media and creative expression for all ethnicities. In 2003, he created the Identity School of Acting in the U.K. in response to the low acceptance of minority talent into mainstream institutions. After training said actors, he realized they were being mismanaged by agents who did not know how to represent actors of color and launched the Identity Agency Group, the leading agency in the U.K. in representing ethnic talent. Oguns movements have greatly influenced the lives of many aspiring and successful actors, including Star Wars star John Boyega (Character: Finn), and has impacted diversity within the arts. 

“…a school that would foster community, encourage diversity, and nurture global, ground-breaking talent; a school that reflects the world we live in.” -Femi Oguns about Identity School of Acting from the official IDSA website

Emily Landolfi Highlights Daniel Dae Kim

Daniel Dae Kim is an Asian-American actor, director, and executive producer, using film to create and portray the stories of those who are underrepresented. With the rise of violence and hate towards Asian Americans, Kim became co-chair of the advisory council for the Asian American Foundation, educating and collaborating with community organizations to stop the increasing anti-Asian ideologies and crimes plaguing America. Further, he is an appointee of Biden’s Advisory group addressing AAPI equity and anti-Asian hate. Artistically, his most prominent performances and works include shows Lost, Hawaii Five-0, and The Good Doctor and movies Raya and the Lost Dragon and Stowaway.

“What happens right now … will send a message for generations to come as to whether we matter — whether the country we call home chooses to erase us or include us, dismiss us or respect us, invisiblize us or see us.” -Daniel Dae Kim

Talia Torrens Highlights Zendaya

Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman was born on September 1, 1996, in Oakland, California. The actress’s successful career first began in 2010 with the television comedy, Shake it Up and since then, she’s gone on to act in big-hit films and shows such as Spider-Man: Homecoming, The Greatest Showman, and Euphoria. In lieu of the upcoming black history month, the biracial actress has used her influence to call out Hollywood’s beauty standards and colorism in the film industry.