A special holiday tribute was held Tuesday for hundreds of Hempstead Middle School students who made the honor roll.
The program was put on by the nonprofit This Is My Swag Foundation, which is meant to motivate students to accomplish their goals and find success in life.
“We are going to impact their lives, make them feel like they’re wanted, they’re special and that they’re destined for greatness,” says Kershey Anthony, who helped organize the event at the Landmark Theatre in Port Washington.
It featured motivational speakers, lessons on confronting and overcoming fears and how movement can contribute to positive mental health.
“It’s important because you never want to give up in life and always want to have that positive energy,” says Jasmine Arteaja of Hempstead Middle School.
At the end of the program, each student got to take photos with Santa and received a Christmas gift.