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𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐤-𝐟𝐢𝐥-𝐀 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐀𝐜𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐲 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 "𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐆𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲" 𝐚𝐭 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐬

𝘉𝘺 𝘔𝘪𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘦𝘭 𝘈. 𝘞𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘬𝘪𝘴, 𝘗𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘤 𝘐𝘯𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘖𝘧𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘦𝘳
𝙻𝙸𝙽𝙳𝙴𝙽 𝙿𝚄𝙱𝙻𝙸𝙲 𝚂𝙲𝙷𝙾𝙾𝙻𝚂, 𝙽𝙹 -- In a spirited demonstration of leadership and service, Linden High School’s Chick-fil-A Leader Academy students launched their participation in the national “Million Book Giveaway” with an inspiring visit to School No. 9 on Nov. 19.

Accompanied by their advisors, the high school leaders spent the day reading to third and fourth-grade students, sparking joy, curiosity, and meaningful connections. School No. 9 marked the first stop in a weeklong series of visits. On Thursday Nov. 21, the team visited School No. 1 and rounded out the week at School No. 5 on Nov. 22.

𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠
The team arrived at School No. 9 shortly after 9 AM, bringing colorful children’s books and vibrant energy to the classrooms. High school leaders took turns reading to the younger students, who, in turn, showcased their own reading skills.

“It was really fun,” said Gabriela Wilczynski, one of the high school leaders, after reading to a group of third graders. She was impressed by the students’ enthusiasm and intelligence. “They loved answering questions, even asking us questions. They were just very smart.”

For Wilczynski and her peers, the experience transcended a simple reading session—it was about fostering meaningful relationships.

“Seeing how much the kids look up to you, how much they’re so interested in being around you, is eye-opening,” she shared, emphasizing that leadership is not just about personal growth but also about uplifting others.

𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐉𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲: 𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐒𝐡𝐲𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞
Trinity Ellis, another participant, reflected on how the program has helped her grow personally and socially. “I’m very shy. I don’t talk much, but joining this club has got me out of my comfort zone,” she admitted.

The visit to School No. 9 gave her a chance to connect with the younger students in a way that felt both natural and rewarding. “They’re cute, and they ask so many questions. It’s adorable. And when they read to us, it’s like we get to know what we saw when we were young.”

Ellis highlighted how the structure of the day—reading sessions followed by a shared lunch—allowed for deeper and more informal interactions. “We got to just be ourselves with them, and they loved it,” she said, pointing out how these simple moments helped strengthen bonds between the older and younger students.

𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗿 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀: 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
Shamona Patterson, a social worker with 25 years at Linden High School and one of the program’s lead advisors, observed the dual impact of the visit.

“We hear a lot of comments that they’re nervous to come or they don’t think they’ll like working with the younger kids. And even just after the first trip, you hear a completely different attitude. ‘That was amazing. I loved working with them,’” she said.

Patterson emphasized how transformative these experiences can be for the high school participants.

“For some of our students, this will be their first time leading a group. It’s really interesting to see how they build confidence through these interactions,” she noted, underscoring the program’s success in fostering both leadership and empathy.

Ebony Davis, another advisor and social worker, echoed these sentiments. “At first, they come in unsure, thinking, ‘I don’t know if the kids are going to like me.’ But by the time we’re ready to leave, they’re asking, ‘When can we do this again?’” Davis said.

This transformation—from nervousness to excitement—showcased the power of community service in nurturing confident, community-focused leaders.

𝗕𝗲𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗰𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀: 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀
Patterson also shared the origins of the Chick-fil-A Leader Academy at Linden High School.

“The program came to our district through Marlon Terrell, the owner and operator of the Linden and Woodbridge Chick-fil-A,” she explained. Now in its second year at the school, the program has grown to include 40 students, up from the national model of 30 per school.

Selection for the program is rigorous. “They fill out an application, and we as social workers review their grades, conduct, and overall character before selecting participants,” Patterson said. The thorough process ensures that students chosen for the academy embody a commitment to leadership and service.

𝗟𝗲𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻
The high school leaders left behind more than books; they left behind inspiration. Each book distributed to the third and fourth graders included a handwritten note of encouragement, a thoughtful gesture that added a personal touch to the project.

“Our students did the behind-the-scenes work of separating the books, packing them, and writing out positive notes,” explained advisor Shamona Patterson. These notes served as tangible reminders of the leaders’ visit and the meaningful connections forged that day.

𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗖𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗵𝘆
Wilczynski summarized the heart of the day’s mission: “It’s a lot of love, a lot of helping, a lot of being there for each other.” Her words encapsulated the spirit of the visit—a seamless blend of leadership, mentorship, and community service that left a deep impact on both the high school and elementary students.

The visit to School No. 9 set the stage for continued engagement throughout the week. With plans to visit School No. 1 and School No. 5, the high school leaders carried forward the lessons learned and connections made during their first stop. Each book shared and every interaction reaffirmed that leadership is not just a role but an active, ongoing commitment to improving lives and fostering hope.

𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗸-𝗳𝗶𝗹-𝗔 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗔𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗺𝘆: 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀, 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁
The Chick-fil-A Leader Academy™ stands out as one of the nation’s largest high school leadership programs, blending classroom learning with hands-on service experiences. Throughout the school year, students from over 1,200 schools in 43 states participate in monthly “Leader Labs,” honing critical skills such as servant leadership, communication, teamwork, and innovation to prepare them for their high school careers and beyond.

𝗔 𝗠𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸𝘀: 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗗𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗟𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘆
The "Million Book Giveaway" project unites Leader Academy participants nationwide with a shared mission: to donate one million books annually. The books, generously provided by Chick-fil-A, Inc., are packaged by high school students and distributed to elementary schools, charities, and non-profit organizations. Linden High School’s students embraced this initiative, packaging and delivering books to bring the joy of reading to young learners in their district.

“The one million book giveaway is a powerful demonstration of collective action making a real difference,” said Joel Benson, a Chick-fil-A Owner-Operator. “Students nationwide are not just learning about leadership; they’re witnessing the joy of giving back firsthand by engaging with their local communities and schools.”

𝗔 𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗰𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽
Over the past decade, Chick-fil-A Leader Academy™ has empowered over 200,000 students across 2,300 schools in 45 states, leaving a lasting impact on communities through leadership and service. By participating in the "Million Book Giveaway," Linden High School students not only upheld this legacy but exemplified the Academy’s mission to inspire, lead, and make meaningful contributions to the lives of others.
School No. 2 School No. 4 School No. 5 School No. 6 School No. 8 School 9 PTA - Linden, NJ School No. 9 School No. 10 McManus Middle School Soehl Middle School Linden High School Derek Armstead Mayor of Linden ... See MoreSee Less

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🎭 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙈𝙖𝙜𝙞𝙘 𝙞𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘼𝙞𝙧: 𝙄𝙩’𝙨 𝙋𝙐𝙁𝙁𝙎 𝙊𝙥𝙚𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙉𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩!

𝙻𝙸𝙽𝙳𝙴𝙽 𝙿𝚄𝙱𝙻𝙸𝙲 𝚂𝙲𝙷𝙾𝙾𝙻𝚂, 𝙽𝙹 -- The wait is finally over! Linden High School Theatre Department’s magical production of Puffs, or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic takes the stage 𝗧𝗢𝗡𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧, 𝗡𝗼𝘃. 𝟮𝟭, 𝗮𝘁 𝟳:𝟬𝟬 𝗣𝗠 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘂𝘀𝗮𝗻 𝗟. 𝗛𝘂𝗱𝗮𝗸 𝗔𝘂𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘂𝗺.

For weeks, our dedicated cast has been perfecting every laugh, every spell, and every heartfelt moment to bring this hilarious and heartwarming story to life. From late-night rehearsals to last-minute touches, they’ve poured their hearts into making this a performance to remember. Take a peek at these behind-the-scenes snapshots of our talented students in action! 📸🎬

Get ready to be enchanted! Puffs is a laugh-out-loud, feel-good story that follows the journey of the lovable “Puffs”—a group of magical misfits finding their place in a world of wizards. It’s a show for anyone who’s ever rooted for the underdog, filled with humor, heart, and plenty of magical surprises. 💛✨

🎟️ Tickets

General Admission: $10
Seniors/Students: $8
Secure your seats now and experience the magic!
📍 Where: Susan L. Hudak Auditorium, Linden High School
⏰ When:
TONIGHT, Nov. 21, at 7:00 PM
TOMORROW, Nov. 22, at 7:00 PM

Don’t miss your chance to experience the charm of Puffs! Share your excitement, tag us in your photos, and let us know which moments made you laugh, cry, or cheer the loudest. Together, let’s make this opening night unforgettable!
🌟 #PuffsTakeFlight #OpeningNightMagic #LHSTheatre #supportthearts

Linden High School School No. 1 School No. 2 School No. 4 School No. 5 School No. 6 School No. 8 School No. 9 School No. 10 Soehl Middle School McManus Middle School Linden Mayor's Youth Commission Derek Armstead Mayor of Linden ... See MoreSee Less

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𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝐅𝐢𝐟𝐭𝐡 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐞𝐥𝐦 𝐚𝐬 𝐕𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐃𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤

𝘉𝘺 𝘔𝘪𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘦𝘭 𝘈. 𝘞𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘬𝘪𝘴, 𝘗𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘤 𝘐𝘯𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘖𝘧𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘦𝘳
𝙻𝙸𝙽𝙳𝙴𝙽 𝙿𝚄𝙱𝙻𝙸𝙲 𝚂𝙲𝙷𝙾𝙾𝙻𝚂, 𝙽𝙹 -- At precisely 8:33 a.m., School No. 5 Principal Rachelle A. Crawley, flanked by two dynamic fifth graders, addressed the school community via a live video broadcast to all classrooms.

The moment, steeped in excitement, marked the official start of an extraordinary day of leadership and learning during the district’s celebration of American Education Week, which emphasizes the dedication of educators and the importance of fostering leadership in schools.

“Good morning, School No. 5! Today, we are joined by two very special guests—our Vice Principals for the Day,” Principal Crawley announced with pride, introducing Sana Donaldson, 10, and Kiyan Laloi, 11, as her “Vice Principals for the Day.”

𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩
The day officially began with the Pledge of Allegiance, led by the young vice principals. “Ready? Begin,” announced Sana and Kiyan in unison, their voices steady and clear as the entire school recited the pledge together.

With poise and excitement, the two fifth graders stepped forward to greet their peers.

“Good morning, everyone! My name is Sana Donaldson, and I’m so excited to be one of your Vice Principals for the Day,” Sana said, her enthusiasm shining through the screen.

“And I’m Kiyan Laloi, your other Vice Principal for the Day,” Kiyan added with a confident smile. “We’ll be visiting your classrooms, helping out at recess, and making sure everyone has an amazing day.”

Their energy was infectious as Principal Crawley looked on proudly. “Let’s give them a warm welcome and show them what makes School No. 5 so special,” she said.

The broadcast continued with announcements about upcoming events, lunch options, and a reminder to practice gratitude, tying the day’s activities to the theme of American Education Week. “Alright, Vice Principals, it’s time to begin our day!” Crawley exclaimed as the announcements concluded.

𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
Sana, smartly dressed in all black, and Kiyan, rocking a fitted light blue suit and fresh white sneakers, stepped into their roles with confidence. The young leaders clutched their walkie-talkies—Principal Crawley’s signature communication tools—with a mix of curiosity and pride, eager to coordinate with staff as they moved through the bustling school building.

“We’re going to visit classrooms, check on the students, and ensure everything is running smoothly,” Crawley explained as they prepared to exit the principal’s office.

When asked about their excitement for the day, Kiyan shared, “I’ve always wondered what other kids are doing in their classrooms. Now, I finally get to find out!” Sana added, “I’m looking forward to the lockdown drill and learning how everyone reacts during an emergency.”

𝐈𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬
The highlight of the morning was a simulated school-wide lockdown drill, providing the students with hands-on leadership experience. Crawley guided them through the protocol, emphasizing the importance of safety.

“Why do we pull on the doors during a lockdown?” Crawley asked as they checked classrooms.

“To make sure everything is secure so that everyone stays safe,” replied Sana, demonstrating her understanding. Kiyan added, “Safety is the most important thing for learning to happen.”

Crawley praised their efforts after the drill, saying, “You’ve done an excellent job,” reinforcing their confidence and sense of responsibility.

The students also visited classrooms across grade levels, where they read to younger students and offered advice to their peers. “The kindergarteners loved our reading!” Kiyan said, reflecting on the experience. Sana added, “We told the older students that hard work and listening to their teachers can help them succeed, just like it’s helping us today.”

𝐀 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭
Adding to the day’s excitement was a surprise visit from Superintendent Atiya Perkins, who stopped by to meet the young leaders. Perkins greeted them warmly, saying, “So, how’s it going, Vice Principals? I’ve heard nothing but great things about the work you’re doing today.”

Sana enthusiastically shared, “It’s going amazing! We’ve been visiting classrooms and helping out. It feels like we’re real vice principals.” Kiyan added, “Yes, it’s fun, but we also see how much responsibility it is.”

Perkins encouraged the students, sharing, “Good leaders are good listeners. They inspire others and lead by example. From what I hear, you’re both doing just that.”

Before leaving, Perkins emphasized the significance of the day. “This is what American Education Week is all about—celebrating our schools and giving students opportunities to grow as leaders,” she said.

𝐀 𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐥-𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐋𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡
The young leaders enjoyed a pizza-and-soda lunch with Assistant Superintendent for Support Annabell Louis and Principal Crawley. Over lunch, they reflected on their experiences.

“The responsibilities of a principal are so much more than I imagined,” Sana admitted. Kiyan added, “It takes so many people working together to make everything run smoothly.”
Louis commended their efforts, saying, “Leadership isn’t just about titles—it’s about setting a good example and supporting others. You’ve done that beautifully today.”

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐨𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩
Sana and Kiyan were selected as Vice Principals for the Day through a competitive process that highlighted their leadership skills and ability to handle challenges.

Principal Crawley explained, “They completed applications, sharing what makes them great leaders and how they would handle difficult situations. Their answers really stood out.”

The two students impressed with their focus on conflict resolution, supporting others, and fostering a strong school community. “They’re personable, intelligent, and excellent communicators,” Crawley said. “They’ve set a shining example for their peers.”

𝐀 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐑𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫
As the day came to an end, Sana and Kiyan reflected on their unique experience.

“I loved visiting classrooms and seeing what everyone else is working on,” Kiyan shared. Sana added, “It was amazing to have this opportunity to lead and make a difference.”

Crawley expressed pride in the students, saying, “Sana and Kiyan embraced this role with grace and enthusiasm. They’ve set a shining example for their peers.”

The day served as a testament to the values of American Education Week, highlighting the dedication of educators and the importance of fostering leadership in schools. For Sana and Kiyan, it was more than just an honor—it was a chance to inspire and be inspired, leaving a lasting impact on their school community. ... See MoreSee Less