New York, NY, August 8, 2008 … Fifteen local high school students are spending their summer vacation making a difference in the fight against racism, bigotry and discrimination, after being selected to participate in the Anti-Defamation League's (ADL) A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE® Institute Summer Internship Program.

About the Participants

The interns represent a wide variety of ethnic backgrounds and religions, including Muslims, Christians and Jews, and all are student leaders and Peer Trainers in their schools. 

Five are from Brooklyn, attending Canarsie High School and the School for International Studies; four are from the Bronx, attending New Explorers High School and Bronx Academy of Letters; three are from Staten Island, attending Susan Wagner High School and Curtis High School; and three are from Long Island, attending Roslyn High School and New Hyde Park Memorial High School.

The students were selected from a large pool of participants in the League's Peer Training Program – an initiative that empowers students to work with their peers in standing up to hatred, prejudice and bigotry.

"These students excelled as Peer Trainers after demonstrating strong leadership qualities and an ability to identify with their fellow students," said Joel J. Levy, ADL New York Regional Director.  "Building on the skills they developed as Peer Trainers, these capable teens are elevating their sights to positively impact their communities and everyone around them.  They have dedicated their summer to that cause."

For seven weeks, the interns take on various responsibilities throughout ADL.  Once a week, they attend career building workshops and leadership seminars.  In the fall, interns join other teens from around the country in our nation's capital to share their experiences as peer leaders.  In Washington, D.C. they attend a seminar at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum where they  learn to apply the lessons of the Holocaust to today's issues of prejudice and hate.

A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE® Institute Peer Trainers take action against prejudice by leading workshops and interactive classroom presentations, and facilitating discussions with their peers about the issues that concern them.  Their efforts play a key role in creating schools, communities and organizations where differences are valued and respected.

Now in its 17th year, the New York Regional Office Summer Internship Program is made possible by the New York A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE® Institute Task Force.  Cynthia and George Marks have been funding the program since its inception in 1992. 

The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world's leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.