By Linda Delmonico-Prussen
The trainers, who were schooled by the World of Difference Institute, lead discussions and exercises with their peers about myriad issues, from prejudice to whether English should be the U.S.'s official language.
The Anti-Defamation League developed the World of Difference Institute and its peer training component in 1991. According to
Rachelle Deblass, New York City director of the World of Difference
Institute, for peer training a group of about 25 students at a middle or high school are taught to be "diversity" leaders. Deblass said the program aims to educate students to help other young people develop skills to confront racial issues, specifically bias.
The institute's training takes three days of about six hours each. The first two days are consecutive, teach awareness and give students a better understanding of prejudice. The third day takes place about two to three weeks later and gives students the skills they need to communicate in front of a group.
The training paid off as each of the five Merrick Avenue peer trainers -- Stephen Viafore, 13, Jeff Brancato, 12, Eric Cohen, 13, Mike Kralovich, 13, and Max Kraut, 13 -- were poised during their presentation, asking questions, leading group discussions and exercises.
The trainers assured the students, who shared their thoughts
about bias, that their opinions would remain confidential. Brancato said, "We're trying to connect to the school because we want the kids to know what the [Anti-Defamation League] is."
The peer trainers asked students to disclose two traits about themselves -- one trait for each hand. Students with common traits were summoned to hold the hand of a person whose trait they shared and, one by one, create a human chain.
Tammy Terc, Merrick Avenue Middle School guidance counselor and World of Difference adviser, said she hoped the trainers' presentation would help students become more sensitive toward and understanding of one another. "Be a little more open to your surroundings and the different people that might come into your life," she told the students.
Other Merrick Avenue Middle School peer trainers are: Alex Salvaggio, Justin Pastuch, Zach Cohen, Ali Hamroff, Mary Green, Sarah Lewis, Sarah Wanger, Zachary Malis, Alex Santa, Brenden Freidman, David Barell, Eric DeMonte, Lauren Powell, Samantha Dellova, Jessica Ras and Michelle Gruol.
Those interested in finding out more about the World of Difference
Institute can log onto www.adl.org/education.
