The club arranged for an American flag to be flown over the capitol in Illuzzi’s honor.
The Cinnaminson Middle School Unity Club held its annual Unity Day celebration on Wednesday, March 29. As Superintendent Salvatore Illuzzi is retiring this year after more than 17 years with the district, this Unity Day was his last.
To recognize Illuzzi’s service, the Unity Club arranged to have an American flag flown over the U.S. capitol building on Unity Day in his honor.
“This is an honor for me that I, in turn, give back to you for all that you have done over the years,” Illuzzi said to the 32-year-old Unity Club.
The Architect of the Capitol will mail the flag to Illuzzi for him to keep as part of its Capitol Flag Program.
“We wanted this to be special,” Unity Club co-advisor Melissa DeClementi said. “It’s something little, but it’s something that’s meaningful.”
Unity Club has been preparing for Unity Day for months. Much of the day detailed the club’s trip to the United Nations headquarters in New York City. Here, the students learned about acceptance, peace and kindness toward others.
“When we took them there, they really paid attention,” DeClementi said. “You keep peace by helping others and being kind to others.”
Unity Club teaches students to respect the beliefs of others and to spread kindness. The club was originally created as a diversity club focused on anti-bullying, but has evolved into a pro-kindness club.
Over the past five years, the club has grown from 40 students to approximately 200. This year, the club’s theme is “Peace is in Our Hands.”
At Unity Day, students from the club also spoke about their work with the Bread of Life Food Pantry and the Food Bank of South Jersey. In February, the club held its annual “soup-er supper.” Middle school students, staff members and parents made soup and bought it to the middle school to serve more than 100 senior citizens in the community a free soup dinner. Students also collected donations for the Bread of Life Food Pantry.
CMS Principal Frank Goulburn says the dinner is so popular, some seniors arrive more than an hour before dinner is served. After the supper, leftover soup was packaged and sold for extra donations to the pantry.
Students also had the opportunity to visit the Food Bank of South Jersey to see how it operates up close.
“You see the [food] collection boxes everywhere and nobody really knows where that goes. These kids now know what that is and they know that they’re making a difference,” DeClementi said.
Earlier this year, Cinnaminson Middle School was named a New Jersey School of Character by the New Jersey Association for Social, Emotional and Character Development, and DeClementi believes Unity Club played a huge role.
Goulburn agrees, saying the Unity Club’s 10 core values have become words to live by for all students at CMS. Trust, responsibility, pride, tolerance, unity, equality, integrity, respect, kindness and friendship are the 10 values.
“This is not a day that is meant to stand alone in which we only focus on character and kindness one day out of the year,” Goulburn said. “I certainly hope that today is the nudge, the bump we all need within ourselves to send messages of love and messages of kindness each and every day.”
DeClementi says Unity Club has taught her how amazing and appreciative kids can be. She’s always impressed with their public demeanor and often receives phone calls after a trip, complimenting the students on their respectful and helpful attitudes.
“We’re not going to be able to change the world, but if we each do a little bit, it can’t make things worse, that’s for sure,” DeClementi said.
In addition to Illuzzi, the club recognized eighth-grade students Gia Downs and Nick McGovern and sixth-grade teacher Kristin DePhilippo for their efforts to be inclusive and spread kindness every day.
They also recognized essay contest winner Lili Myers for her poem on “pride,” one of the 10 core values of the Unity Club.
Illuzzi was clearly touched by his recognition.
“My only hope may be that over the years you remember this day and what it means and what we hope to achieve,” Illuzzi said.
