School News & Clubs

Students Take Action and Lead the Change for Human Rights at Amnesty International Club

By Justin Apollonio

Edited by Jacob Cheung

October 20, 2025

At John Jay, students aren’t just learning about the world; they’re working to change it. The Amnesty International Club, a branch of the global nonprofit organization Amnesty International, advocates for a world where everyone can enjoy their human rights.

I had the chance to interview Daniela Rosado, President of the Amnesty International Club. When asked why she joined and why others should consider joining, she explained:

“I joined my freshman year because I love human rights and wanted to make a change. I saw that Amnesty was doing that. Other people should join if they feel they could do this long-term during their high school career, and if they really love human rights and want to keep advocating for people, writing letters, and raising awareness about people who have been wrongly put in jail.”

One of the club’s key initiatives at John Jay is writing letters on behalf of individuals in Afghanistan, urging local leaders to free those who have been unjustly imprisoned.

When asked about her favorite part of the club, Rosado shared:

“I get to talk to people who have similar interests as me. We share a lot of the same opinions, and it’s so fun to teach people more about what they want to learn.”

The club’s first event of the year is the 5K Run for Change, which will take place on October 26 at the Van Wyck Trailhead. The community is invited to come together and support Amnesty International by running or walking 5 kilometers. Sign-ups are available through MySchoolBucks or at the event you can pay cash, and all proceeds will go toward Amnesty’s efforts to advocate for human rights.

The Amnesty International Club at John Jay proves that students can make a real difference, regardless of age. Change begins by first recognizing a problem and then taking the initiative to solve it. If you’re unable to attend the event but still want to support the cause, email Mr. Utter to learn how you can get involved in future events.