Inspired by it being senior year and a series of hit Disney movies; I decided to partake in this year’s musical. We performed the 1980’s hit musical “Footloose.” For my first musical ever I received one of the lead roles. I was cast as Reverend Shaw Moore, and getting to act and sing on stage in front of thousands of people was something I had never done before, and I really enjoyed it.
We just finished our four near sold-out shows, and the reviews from the community were nothing but positive. I would like to thank everyone who came out to support us, I would also like to thank the cast and crew who gave up so much time to make the show as amazing as it was. The musical was an experience I thoroughly enjoyed; my only regret is waiting till senior year to do one.
I do want to address one thing that most people are probably unaware of. In my bio that appeared in the program for Footloose it ended with the sentence, “Daniel will attend Marist College in the fall and is a New Paltz B.O.E candidate.” This is a very innocent and factual statement, which is why I used it. All bios have to be approved by the musical director before they are published; naturally no one had any issue with mine. In fact the whole cast has been very supportive of my candidacy.
After our Thursday night show I was called to the office. I was told by an administrator that they weren’t entirely sure that this sentence was appropriate for a bio, and it may even be conceived as an endorsement by the District. I was then informed that the District Lawyer and our Superintendent were called for further clarification on what really was a non-issue.
This administrator did inform me that both parties had yet to return her calls. In other words, hours before I was to do my second show I was told that my bio warranted further review from a lawyer and the Superintendent, but they had yet to get back to her, meaning that nothing would change for tonight’s show and in all likelihood the rest of our production. This was not the first time I have felt that this person has tried to intimidate me in regards to my candidacy. I was rather appalled by how I was taken out of one of my classes to be informed about essentially nothing. I was so appalled that I sought out legal council of my own.
To make a long story short my bio remained uncensored, as it was in no way, shape, or form, an endorsement, and was well within my rights. I am telling you this story to further show what I can bring to the table as a Board of Education member. I will not be intimidated by others! I think some people may look at my age and think that I can be easily swayed; I certainly know that at least one administrator did. You see, as I did in this case, I stand up for what I believe in. I have no problem speaking my mind, even if it isn’t the most popular thing, if I feel it is right, and it can help people, I will be the first to speak up.
That is the tenacity that helped me create a day for social justice and diversity at New Paltz High School. Yarmulke Day has been written about in the Poughkeepsie Journal, Times Herald-Record, New Paltz Times, Daily Freeman, Las Noticias, and countless National and International internet blogs. Its MySpace page has over 20,000 views and over 3,000 friends.
It’s that same drive that made me ask if the money made on the New Paltz High School merchandise sold at Olympia Sports was going to our District. When I was done asking I then acted, I took it to the top of the company and got the Poughkeepsie Journal involved. In the end almost two hundred high schools now receive quarterly checks from Olympia Sports (New Paltz and Highland included), I received an award from the Board of Education and was named one of the “10 under 20” by the Times Herald-Record.
I know if elected I can use what I have learned in my time at school to help our District. That same courage I used in getting money from Olympia Sports,I will use to try to make our facilities greener which will save us money in the long run. The drive I had in creating and promoting Yarmulke Day, I will use to try and get healthier food for our kids, and hopefully involve local farmers in the process. This is what I want you to consider when you step into the booth on May 19th.
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