VTHS students raise awareness of human trafficking

VERNON — Project Stay Gold, a national organization that raises awareness and combats the evils of modern-day slavery, also known as human trafficking, has found a home at Vernon Township High School.

Sophomore Brianna Cimaglia, who founded the local chapter, worked with other concerned students to set up a booth at Vernon Day to help spread the word to the local community.

The purpose of this organization is also to incorporate civics education to contextualize modern perils with the plight of slaves in the past, in the United States and around the world. For example, there are more slaves today than at any other point in history.

Students at Vernon Day handed out pamphlets, distributed abolitionist bracelets, and collected donations. In addition, students created a petition, which Vernon residents signed to show their support for ending slavery in the world. Hundreds of Vernon residents, including Mayor Victor Marotta, stopped by the booth to find out more information on this worthy cause.

Kelsey Falkowski, a teacher in the VTHS history department, is the adviser of this organization.

“In the year 2015, it is unfathomable to me that such a heinous crime still persists in our world," Cimaglia said. "I want to bring as much awareness as possible to combat slavery.”

“This is a wonderful opportunity to raise awareness about the plight of modern-day slavery in our community," sophomore Dyland Scheidle said. "The more people that are aware, the more likely that slavery can be stopped.”

Sophomore Madison Kleeschulte said the group has received outstanding feedback and the cummunity has been supportive.