Students of the Mater Dei Prep Global Leaders program gathered Feb. 15 with representatives of the Pathways to Peace United Nations in Mater Dei Prep High School, Middletown, to recognize a stalwart leader in peacekeeping.

In-person students as well as invited guests, faculty and board members attended a Global Leaders meeting that paid tribute to Pathways to Peace co-founder, Avon Mattison, who died in October 2021. A Zoom link and Facebook Live stream were provided for classes to attend remotely.

Pathways to Peace began in 1981 as a non-governmental organization (NGO) that partners with MDP Global Leaders, and an official Peace Messenger Organization of the United Nations. Mattison worked with PTP more than 40 years helping initiate the International Day of Peace on Sept. 21. Recently MDP was sent the United Nations flag that hung in Mattison’s office, given to her by the U.N. for her many years of service. The flag was unveiled during the meeting in her honor.

“Avon over the past seven years has served as an inspirational mentor to numerous Mater Dei Prep students,” said George S. Anthony, MDP Global Leader moderator. “Some of our students have gone on to officer positions within the United Nations and PTP governing board or peace advocates.”

Speakers for the event included Ibrahim Sharif, former director of the Martin Luther King Commission; New Jersey Superior Court Judge Daniel D'Alessandro; Jodi O’Donnell, ALS advocate; MDP Global Leader students and PTP U.N. representatives. Topics discussed included social media, non-nuclear proliferation, Catholic leadership, speaking out against racism and religious persecution and understanding rule of law.

“They were overwhelmed by positivity, hope and passion by voices they felt were authentic and truthful,” Anthony said of the students’ response.

“Students also conducted a private interview with Sharif to learn about his civil and human rights journey, as well as that of Edith Savage Jennings – a New Jersey civil rights icon who worked with more than 12 U.S. presidents,” he noted.

The MDP Global Leaders program is designed “to provide students with the skills and the tools to build stronger and safer communities where dialogue is encourages and solutions are explored and implemented,” explained Anthony, who is also a PTP primary representative.

Freshman Emani Resto found the flag unveiling “heartwarming and inspiring. I loved [being] close up with some of the most amazing leaders and hearing their goals and motivations.”

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Elliana Ferraro, freshman, was impressed by Mattison’s legacy. “It showed me how much Avon made a difference to the world.” Ferraro also took home speaker Lindy Crescitelli’s advice to “listen to what people have to say. We don't have to agree with them, but we have to listen and respect them.”

“The beautiful stories [the speakers told] were captivating, exciting, and had a lot of passion poured into them,” said Liam Lugay, sophomore. “Hearing them tell me and my fellow students [how well we spoke] makes me look forward to the actual trips to the United Nations.”

“I liked how Mr. Sharif said he doesn't watch the news because it's pointless to … see all the negativity in the world,” said freshman Quinn Casello. “The speakers … reminded us that if we work hard enough, we can be the change we want to see in the world.”

Junior Emma DeBaiase, who knew Mattison as a mentor, said “she strengthened my views on peace and leadership,” adding that thee experience added to her resolve to pursue a career in international relations.

Veronica Bucknor, freshman, was taken aback after Sharif’s moving interview when he shook hands with her and said, “you the quiet one … but the most powerful one.”

“It reminded me that … I can be quiet and change the whole dynamic."