The LIVE presentation is part of the Discover Education program “Motivating Students to Make a Difference: The Foundation of Inspired 21st Century Citizenry.” 

St. Veronica students joined in this LIVE interactive programming with students in schools across the country. The program was hosted by Mark Shriver, senior vice president of U.S. Programs, Save the Children.

The goal of this series of programs is a new effort to make positive and lasting changes in the lives of children in the United States today.  Shriver discussed historical details of poverty affecting American children for the last 30 years.  Presently, one in four American children lives in poverty.  The hope of the LIVE program is to stress the importance of education as the fundamental change to fight the effects of poverty.  Shriver helped students to understand their role in finding solutions and making positive differences in their local communities.

What added to the excitement of the LIVE program for the class was hearing their teacher’s question being read by Mark Shriver.  Prior to the LIVE broadcast, educators were invited to ask Shriver a question. Teacher Joanne Nelson’s question was, “What does Save the Children do for American children on a regular basis to fight the poverty they face here in the U.S.?”  The students were amazed and impressed when they heard Shriver say, “And from Joanne at St. Veronica School in Howell, N.J.” 

Shriver’s response to Nelson’s question was that “we need to help children in poverty here and across the nation at all times.” Shriver urged the students to write to Gov. Chris Christie to urge their state to take an active role in this war on poverty.