Skip To Main Content

Lincoln students hear from accomplished women during Women's History Month panel

A group of people, mostly women, are seated at a long table in a room with a red curtain backdrop and a purple wall in the background.
Lincoln students hear from accomplished women during Women's History Month panel

In honor of Women’s History Month, eighth-grade students in the Youth Leadership Institute (YLI) at Lincoln School welcomed several accomplished women leaders from across Westchester County for an engaging panel discussion on Wednesday afternoon.

A smiling woman holding a microphone and a pink gift bag stands in front of a stage with a purple backdrop.

YLI, a signature program of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, serves youth ages 11 to 13 by cultivating leadership skills, promoting social activism, and encouraging community service. The group meets monthly to participate in outreach initiatives, including preparing nutritious meals for the food insecure, writing holiday cards for local nursing home residents, and helping to beautify the school community.

The panel was moderated by Principal Rebecca Jones, a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and the Westchester County Chapter of Zeta Nu Omega, where she serves as a co-chair of the program. “I am deeply encouraged and inspired by each of these distinguished women here today,” Ms. Jones said, expressing her appreciation and admiration for the panelists.

The panel consisted of:  

A group of four young women, dressed in casual attire, are seated at a table, engaged in conversation and holding various items.
  • Dr. Colleen Crawford: Principal of Benjamin Turner Academy
  • Dr. Jilliann Elliott: Physician & Medical Director
  • Dr. Donna Marable: President of the Mount Vernon Board of Education & Retired School Principal
  • Officer Chanti Johnson: Police Officer at Mount Vernon Police Department
  • The Honorable Danielle R. Browne: Judge of the Mount Vernon City Court
  • Alia McCants: Senior Director, Impact and Inclusion at Peloton  
  • Dr. Natasha Hunter-McGregor: Principal of Graham School
  • Andrea Leandre-Francis: Occupational Therapist
  • Dr. Jackielyn Manning-Campbell: Superintendent of Newburgh Schools  
  • Maura Gutierrez: Parent Liaison & Community Activist
A young person with long, dark hair wearing a black hoodie with "GAP" printed on it, holding a document in their hands and standing in what appears to be an indoor setting with chairs in the background.

The panelists began by introducing themselves and sharing insights into their professional journeys before responding to a wide range of questions from YLI scholars. Students asked about the challenges and obstacles that shaped them, as well as the most valuable advice they had received along the way.

“I think it’s important for them to see women in nontraditional roles and to understand that they can aspire to be anything they want,” said Dr. Donna Marable, a former Mount Vernon school principal and current President of the Mount Vernon Board of Education.

To express their gratitude, students presented each panelist with a gift bag and invited them to enjoy refreshments and fellowship before concluding the event.

“That was just amazing,” Nyla, one of the students, said to the panel. “We can’t thank you enough for taking time out of your busy schedules to be with us today. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for being such an inspiration to us.” 

A large group of diverse individuals, both adults and children, standing together on a stage with a red curtain backdrop.
A group of diverse women, some wearing colorful and patterned clothing, stand together in a room with a plain white wall in the background.
A person wearing glasses and a black hoodie is standing at a podium in front of a red curtain backdrop, holding a microphone and appearing to be speaking or presenting.
A woman in a white sweater and green skirt is speaking into a microphone at a podium, with a "Thank You VIP" sign visible in the foreground.
A young woman with braided hair is smiling while holding a pink document in a crowded indoor setting.
A woman wearing a black shirt and a patterned headscarf is speaking into a microphone on a stage, with pink bags visible in the background.
Three young individuals, two boys and one girl, standing on a stage with a red curtain backdrop. The boy on the left is wearing a black jacket and holding a microphone, while the other two are wearing casual clothing.
A woman in a bright pink jacket is speaking into a microphone while holding a green bottle, standing in front of a group of people.
The image shows a group of young women sitting at a table, engaged in what appears to be a discussion or activity. The table is covered in a pink tablecloth, and the background suggests a classroom or meeting space setting.
A woman in a red shirt stands at a podium, holding a microphone and a sign that says "Thank you" in her hands.
A woman with a short, dark hairstyle is speaking into a microphone while holding a paper bag, with a backdrop of what appears to be a stage or event setting.

 

Mount Vernon police with students posing for the camera.
Cocoa with the Popo at Lincoln School creates community connections

On Friday, March 13th, students at Lincoln School were treated to a special and heartwarming surprise. Thanks to the generous efforts of the Mount Vernon Police Department, in collaboration with Cupcake Cutie Boutique, students enjoyed a delicious cup of hot cocoa along with an assortment of sweet treats. Officer Johnson, Lieutenant Terry, and Detective Jones arrived in style, rolling up in the Cupcake Cutie mobile and bringing smiles, warmth, and a wonderful sense of community with them.

Lincoln School Heart Health Kickoff
Lincoln School kicks off Heart Health Awareness Month

On February 4, Lincoln School kicked off Heart Health Awareness Month with an American Heart Association event, bringing students together to learn how movement and healthy choices build strong hearts for life.

The image shows a group of people, some seated and others standing, in what appears to be a classroom or educational setting, with a whiteboard or similar surface visible in the background.
Lincoln School students write to each other in NPFH Pen Pal Meet and Greet

Lincoln School’s annual No Place for Hate Pen Pal Meet and Greet is a school-wide initiative that celebrates inclusivity and strengthens connections between older and younger students. Older students proudly model positive and respectful behaviors, while younger students enthusiastically look forward to meeting their pen pals and continuing these friendships throughout the year.