Recent Riverhead High School Graduate Leaves Meaningful Impact

RIVERHEAD, NEW YORK (AUGUST 2023) — Recent Riverhead High School graduate Aela Bailey has left an impactful legacy at her school with the creation of the Healthy YOUniversity club. Aela founded the club in November of 2022 to spread awareness of the prevalence of dating violence and enhance positive management among students of relationships, friendships and stress.

“I am so happy to have made a difference at my school,” said Aela. “We have brought awareness to an important topic and, best of all, created a safe space for students who could be struggling.”

Aela learned a great deal about social and emotional health during her years of participation in the Teen Leadership Council with the domestic violence prevention group The Retreat. The Retreat’s Teen Leaders serve as peer educators and ambassadors to prevent bullying, harassment and domestic violence and promote healthy relationships and friendships. In this experience, Aela became knowledgeable on the topics of boundaries and consent and participated in special projects, such as the creation of dream boards.

This education from the Teen Leadership Council was utilized as the basis for founding Healthy YOUniversity. It was then expanded as other members eagerly joined, and the club heightened their participation in programming and accumulation of information in the field. The club’s activities have ranged from a virtual lesson with The Retreat to a poster-based positivity campaign throughout the school.

“The District is incredibly proud to have our students using the knowledge they gain from leadership experiences to positively impact their school, peers and community,” said Riverhead Central School District Superintendent Dr. Augustine E. Tornatore. “The members of Healthy YOUniversity, and especially their founder Aela Bailey, have demonstrated exceptional initiative and compassion. We look forward to the positive influence this club will continue to have on Riverhead High School and the Riverhead community.”

For more information about the Riverhead Central School District, please visit the District’s website at www.riverhead.net. Happenings in the District can also be followed on Facebook at www.facebook.com/riverheadCSD. #BlueWavesPride.