Thursday, October 1, 2026
The Roosevelt Union Free School District has introduced a new program, New York State My Sister’s Keeper, or MSK, an extension of My Brother’s Keeper, or MBK, on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026. The program focuses on the specific challenges young girls and women of color experience in STEM education.
The event was held at Roosevelt High from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The goal of this program is to prepare students for life after high school, ensuring they are ready for the outdoor world.
The event started with a brief introduction of Dr. Shawn Wightman, superintendent of the Roosevelt Union Free School District, and was followed by a few motivational speeches from the special guests—Councilwoman Dorothy Goosby, Charlena Croutch from the Roosevelt Board of Education, and Susan Dunbar from Girls Inc. It was hosted by Althea Robinson Haddo, coordinator at My Sister's Keeper.
There was a dance performance by the Ulysses Byas Elementary School and a recitation by Naomi Johnson of My Sister’s Keeper.
Currently, 60 selected students from Roosevelt High School have completed the selection process. They will engage in a community service project and have the opportunity to connect with professional women in STEM.
Haddo highlighted the importance of women in STEM, noting that it has historically been a male-dominated field.
“We want to get away from the gender bias that it's only a man's job,” said Haddo. “I want females to know that they too can do the same thing that men can do.”
Kenneth Ware, a trustee of the Roosevelt School District Board of Education, expressed excitement about the program and praised the board, the school district, and the superintendent for collaborating and taking this initiative.
“[I think that, just overall,] I think that this is an amazing program that the Board of Education and the school district and the superintendent and this committee have brought to the district,” said Ware. “And, you know, it's amazing. We already have my brother's keeper, so I'm excited to see what my sister's keeper will do and continue the success.”
Esmia Thomas, a 12th-grade student at Roosevelt High School and a current student at My Sister’s Keeper, stated that this program is very inspirational for many young girls and women. Thomas emphasized the importance of networking, especially in the STEM field. She believes making connections can lead to great opportunities in the future.
“I would say that never shorten your goals for anyone, because you can really do anything that you put your mind to, and you shouldn't let any expectations by anyone, whether it's a man or a woman or people who have more money than you,” said Thomas. “You should really set your goal high, because you can do anything that you put your head to.”
Charlena Croutch, first vice president of the President Roosevelt Board of Education, stated that the program was revived due to the rise of My Brother’s Keeper, or MBK. The expansion of the STEM field will help young girls pursue their careers without any limitations. Croutch hopes that students would build lifelong friendships and gain confidence and high self-esteem. According to her, students are expected to be emboldened, empowered, and strengthened to pursue great opportunities.
“I'm hoping that they will leave here, as I just stated, that they will walk away, first of all, with relationships and building lifelong friendships, but more than anything, with confidence and high self-esteem and faith and believing in themselves," said Croutch. “As I stated earlier, fearfully and wonderfully made, you know they can do anything that their hearts desire, that there are really no limits, and that they'll go after things that they didn't imagine could happen for them. You know that they won't shy away from opportunities, but they will be emboldened, empowered, and strengthened to do great things.”
Haddo stated that the students will attend a STEM conference in Farmingdale focused on women in STEM and will connect with real-world professionals.
“I would like to say that I've been advocating for Roosevelt High School to have my sister's keeper for the last two years, and it's finally here,” said Haddo. “So we're gonna make it big, which eventually I would like to go over to the middle school before they come over to high school, so they know that the program is there, what the program is, and what their ability is, what they can do.”
