As we near the end of May, many students are beginning to celebrate the end of the school year already and can’t wait to start summer vacation. However, the fun is just starting. The Phys. Ed. Leaders just had their end of the year party at Westbury Manor to celebrate all of their accomplishments throughout the year. This party emphasized the hard work the Cardozo Leaders do for the Cardozo Community. While some of you Judges and Judgettes are probably wondering who the Phys. Ed. Leaders are, there are many of you who have definitely seen them around and are wondering what accomplishments have they done to celebrate.
From leading the gym warm-ups, to setting up the equipment for a good game of kickball, the Leaders program at Cardozo is not just any ordinary program. This program allows students to not only obtain, but enhance their already existing leadership skills and qualities, as well as uphold their responsibilities as leaders and be introduced to many opportunities, such as aiding in the set up of the college fair and various luncheons.
Mr. Scarola is the head coordinator of the Leader’s program, followed by the Board members who work hard to plan out events and keep organized plans for the dinner. As part of all of the Leaders’ hard work and dedication that they do every day when they attend their service gym periods to take attendance, set up equipment, assist the gym teachers, and lead stretches, there is a dinner at the end of every May to celebrate all the hard work they have done.
The theme of the dinner this year was Red Carpet themed, in where The Leaders dressed up as if they belonged in the Red Carpet. Just like last year, the students of the program enjoyed a wonderful cocktail hour, dinner, and dessert accompanied by lots of music and dancing provided by the DJ at Westbury Manor. In years prior, the students enjoyed the party at Douglaston Manor, but after COVID hit everything changed. The night was also met with a 360 photo booth where many of the Leaders had fun using the props and making videos.
The party began at 6 p.m. and ended at 10 p.m., but did not stop without lots of dancing and the students’ favorite part of the night: the cake and sundae bar. The night wasn’t over yet, however, without the awards being handed. Leaders themselves nominate the Leaders that they think should win certain awards based on the categories provided. Students are allowed to vote on which two females and which two males should win the award for the best stretches, the best female and male all around athletes, the best female and male hockey players, etc. Medals or plaques were given out to the winning candidates. Furthermore, the students who are new to the program that just came out of the training program (Leaders in Training or LITs) to become Leaders, are also provided with certificates acknowledging their new-found journey and rookie status as Leaders. President Umme Choudhury, announced the Leader’s new president: Haron Sooriyakumar for 2024-2025.
The Leader danced the night away to songs such as “The Cha Cha Slide” as well as “Party in the USA.” All the Leaders came together as one and danced together, enjoying the rhythms of the songs, as well as hyping each other to do dances. The dinner was an amazing way to celebrate all the hard work that all the Leaders do, to help the program as well as the Cardozo Community. “There is no I, in team,” says the famous quote, and The Leaders Program reflects the hard work of students coming together to help around Cardozo.
