Students learn the importance of prevention, lifestyle choices, and health awareness through engaging discussions and interactive presentations
Englewood, NJ — October 29, 2025 — The Englewood Public School District proudly hosted the Diabetes Foundation and community health partners at Dwight Morrow High School for Live Well, Dream Big — an empowering assembly that marked the early kickoff of National Diabetes Awareness Month.
Dwight Morrow High School students attended the event, which featured Executive Director Ginine Cilenti of the Diabetes Foundation, Dr. Ritu Suri, Chief of Family Practice at Englewood Health, and state leaders Senator Gordon Johnson and Assemblywoman Shama Haider. The program focused on empowering students to take charge of their health through education, awareness, and everyday choices that can make a lasting difference.
The initiative was brought to Englewood through the leadership of Dr. Marnie Hazelton, Superintendent of Schools, who recognized the tremendous value of the Diabetes Foundation’s outreach and worked to bring the program to students across the district. Dr. Hazelton connected the Foundation with Ms. Shannon Arrieta, Acting Director of Athletics for the district, to lead the collaboration, aligning the event with EPSD’s ongoing commitment to student wellness and lifelong healthy habits.
“This generation faces a different world—one with more screens, processed foods, and less activity than ever before,” said Ginine Cilenti, Executive Director of the Diabetes Foundation. “Type 2 diabetes rates have risen from nearly zero in the 1970s to over 11% today, with more than 34% of New Jersey residents at risk. The earlier we educate and engage our youth, the more lives we can change.”
Dr. Ritu Suri engaged students with her interactive talk, “Let’s Talk About Health,” highlighting how small lifestyle adjustments can prevent major health issues. Through relatable “Fact or Fiction” challenges about diet, exercise, and technology’s impact on wellness, she encouraged students to connect the science of health to their daily lives. “Simple changes—like balancing your meals, moving your body, and managing stress—can make all the difference,” said Dr. Suri. “Engaging young people early helps them make informed choices and share what they learn with their families.”
Students responded enthusiastically, asking thoughtful questions and reflecting on how health impacts their futures. “It’s important to learn about it now so we can make better choices for the future,” said senior Avin Holmes. Sophomore Jamil Perry added, “It’s good to see people coming here to help us change that. Knowledge like this really makes a difference.”
Senator Gordon Johnson reinforced the importance of early education, saying, “I believe in education to ensure we get the word out in every way possible—and one way is going directly to young people.” Assemblywoman Shama Haider added, “We need to do something for our residents—through education and testing. Diabetes is a disease that can be treated and managed, and no one should be left behind.”
Reflecting on the day’s impact, Dr. Laura Scamardella, Assistant Superintendent of the Englewood Public School District, shared, “Knowledge is power, and the more we can educate our students, families, and community about diabetes and healthy living, the better equipped we’ll all be to promote equity and access in healthcare.”
The Live Well, Dream Big assembly underscored the shared commitment of educators, lawmakers, and health professionals to support student wellness. By engaging students with meaningful, relatable content, the Englewood Public School District continues to champion initiatives that empower students to live well, dream big, and lead healthier lives.
📰 Check us out on News 12 New Jersey’s coverage of the event here:
