Walt Whitman High School’s Muslim Student Association (MSA) hosted its fourth annual Day of Unity conference at the PAC on Friday, April 11th.  They were excited to welcome MSAs, student leadership groups, and student multicultural groups from more than a dozen schools across Long Island for a day of exchanging ideas about how students can take leadership roles in their communities to create a more accepting climate for everyone regardless of their beliefs and backgrounds. Created and organized by Whitman’s MSA in 2022, the event has grown in size every year, from four schools the first year, to 15 high schools from both Nassau and Suffolk signing up to attend this year. 

Thanks to the hard work and planning of MSA co-presidents Shaiza Cheema and Shazaib Cheema, the Executive Board, faculty advisor Kristen Crichton, and interim advisor Kaitlyn O’Keefe, the program ran smoothly.  A theme is chosen for each conference and for this year it was Acceptance.  

Shaiza Cheema, now a senior, has been part of Whitman’s MSA since she was a freshman.  Growing up, she sometimes felt scared and was afraid to speak up, because she was worried about what other people might think.  The Muslim Student Association was a safe place.  “Having an MSA shows there's a student body here that respects what you think, respects how you speak, and understands your perspective. That's why I'm happy that we created this Day of Unity where students of all backgrounds can come together and be like, wow, we also have a voice. We can speak out and people understand,” said Shaiza.

We thank all the high schools: Commack, Deer Park, Elwood-John Glenn, Half Hollow Hills West, Half Hollow Hills East, Harborfields, Huntington, Islip, Kings Park, Patchogue-Medford, Sachem North, Valley Stream Central, Westbury, the Wheatley School, and Eastern Long Island Academy of Applied Technology, for their enthusiastic participation. Each school’s group gave a five minute presentation to share what they’ve been doing in their schools to promote interfaith understanding and harmony, including hallway decorating for Ramadan, community Iftar gatherings at school, and celebrating World Hijab Day every February 1st.  

We were also honored to welcome Dr. Diane Wynne, the Executive Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for the NYS Department of Education. After learning about the Day of Unity when Whitman’s MSA officers attended a New York State School Boards Association Committee Conference in New York City, Dr. Wynne wanted to see firsthand all the wonderful things happening in schools throughout Long Island to support our diverse students. 

The day would not have been complete without our very ardent and educational speakers, Dr. Uzma Syed of the Eid Holiday Coalition; members of the Huntington Anti-Bias Task Force Helen Boxwill and Joanne Polichetti; members from the Interfaith Institute of Long Island Cantor Irene Failenbogen, Rabbi Jeffrey Clopper, Avtar Singh Khanna, and Dr. Faroque Ahmad Khan; and meditation coaches from the Zen Den, Michelle Anglisano and Kristen McDermott, both South Huntington educators, who guided the students through visualization and affirmations to a calmer sense of being.

As Walt Whitman principal John Murphy told the gathering in his welcome remarks, “One of the most powerful things in this world and in this country is your voice. You are the people that will be here long after everybody that's older is gone. You are the people that will transcend, transform, and make this world a better place. And that's not done individually. You probably have a thousand amazing ideas. But your one voice is not going to make a difference. It's the voices all in this room together. And that’s what this Day of Unity is all about.”

Photo Gallery

Thanks to the hard work and planning of MSA co-presidents Shaiza Cheema and Shazaib Cheema, the Executive Board, faculty advisor Kristen Crichton, and interim advisor Kaitlyn O’Keefe, the program ran smoothly.

For one of the day’s workshops, Zen Den meditation coaches and South Huntington educators, Michelle Anglisano and Kristen McDermott, guided students through visualization and affirmations to a calmer sense of being.

(left to right) BOE President Nicholas Ciappetta, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Vito D’Elia, and WWHS principal Dr. John Murphy were honored to welcome Dr. Diane Wynne, the Executive Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for the NYS Department of Education (2nd to right).

Walt Whitman High School’s Muslim Student Association (MSA) was excited to welcome MSAs, student leadership groups, and student multicultural groups from more than a dozen schools across Long Island.