Seven Upper School students attended The Empathy Equality Entrepreneurship Mission (TEEEM) 4th Annual Leadership Symposium on October 23 at Rutgers University’s Busch Student Center. Joined by Mrs. Nicole Nolan, W+H Director of Global Programs and Community Outreach, students Rajwans Sindhar ’25, Tapleen Kaur ’25, Hope Nasulme ’25, Daniel Zaidi ’25, Jasteij Sappal ’25, Chiara Baldi ’26 and Natalie Chen ’26 were among 300 attendees exploring the theme of social entrepreneurship. W+H alumnus Fernando Ramirez ’77, who has collaborated with W+H students on various initiatives in the past year, also attended as he will be working with the Ukraine pod and non-profit humanitarian partners.
TEEEM is a local nonprofit that teachers students about global issues, humanitarianism and leadership through education in action. Its mission is to create a better, kinder world through its three Es: Empathy, Equity and (Social) Entrepreneurism. More than 50 schools ft the Symposium, and W+H students Rajwans Sindhar and Natalie Chen enjoyed the opportunity to display their leadership and presentation skills. They worked as student breakout facilitators who also shared a presentation about the school’s impactful trip to Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota.
“We solidified our plan for this school year in partnership with TEEEM,” Rajwans said. “I found it helpful to discuss our plans with Fair Lawn High School and hear their ideas as well for the Lakota pod. It was truly the best case for the continuation of our program. My favorite part of the conference was recapping the trip to South Dakota with everyone and being able to share our first-hand experiences on the rez. We also reunited with Starr and her daughter, Stella, which is always fun!”
The event included three breakout sessions, lunch, a donation ceremony and a gallery walk. Mrs. Nolan delivered a presentation about successful drives and fundraising efforts later in the day. W+H has conducted many successful fundraising initiatives to support worthy causes.
W+H collaborated with other schools, primarily Fair Lawn High School, in the Lakota Pod. The W+H group presented a donation of $20,000 from TEEEM to One Spirit on behalf of W+H and its pod partner schools.
“The TEEEM Leadership Symposium brought new perspectives to light, as we could hear from site leaders worldwide,” Natalie said. “For example, I met Joseph, who leads the GRACE Project in Kenya, educating the youth, minimizing gender inequality, and providing adequate resources. Learning about Joseph's accomplishments and efforts in Kenya truly sparked new ideas and creativity for how W+H can aid those in the Lakota Nation. Talking with our site leaders, Jeri, Starr, and Stella, there is no doubt that the future holds many opportunities to share Lakota culture with a more widespread audience while advocating and fundraising for equality for the Indigenous community.”
"Our partnership with TEEEM and One Spirit, in support of the Lakota Nation in South Dakota, has taken root, grown, and fully blossomed in just two years,” Mrs. Nolan said. “This can be attributed to the energy and drive of the W+H students who have fully dedicated themselves to every aspect of our work together. Our partnerships through TEEEM are not about service, but about developing relationships and understanding."