Middle Schoolers Work to Abolish Slavery

Even though it's the 21^st century and slavery was abolished more than 100 years ago, there are still an estimated 27 million people enslaved in the world. And the students at intend to do something about it.

The students have started a movement called Project Stay Gold to help abolish modern-day slavery and human trafficking in the world. The school recently held a kick-off celebration, during which the project's website was unveiled. Speakers and student artwork rounded out the evening.

The project actually started last year, under the direction of middle school social studies teacher Dan Papa.

“During a lesson on slavery, I had given the students some websites to look at,” Papa recalled. “After winter break, one student, Kate Stopiello, came back to school and said, 'Mr. Papa, we have to do something about this'.”

And so they did. About 35 students joined the movement last year. That number has increased to 85 this year.

The website, www.projectstaygold.org, consists of student-produced videos with their thoughts on human trafficking, as well as ways that people can help combat this problem.

Several students' art work was also shown at the event. Eighth grade students Meredith Obaytek and Niki Lehman displayed a series of their photograhy work, and Christina Ferucci performed an original song, “Hold On,” that she wrote for the event.

Goals for the future are lofty, yet important.

“One of the times when human trafficking increases the most is during the Super Bowl,” Papa said. “We would like to have this movement to a point that we can go to the NFL before 2014, when the Super Bowl will be played in New Jersey, and ask the NFL to help us prevent human trafficking from happening.”