Inspiring Students with Tiger Pride
The Henry Snyder High School Alumni Association (HSHSAA) sponsors activities and creates initiatives to address the needs of students, alumni, and school infrastructure.
The association is composed of like-minded alumni who want to partner with school administrators, district officials, and community groups to encourage academic achievement and honorable citizenship/life goals among its students and community youths.
HSHSAA seeks to identify and address mental illness in Jersey City high schools. This includes development of mentoring and counseling for students in need of interventions. It also seeks to ensure the continued existence of the school as a public institution in Jersey City by serving the needs of the community at large.
“We sponsored the Tiger Pride Statue Project to purchase and install a statue of our mascot near the school entrance in October of 2023,” said HSHSAA member Kevin G. Hurt. “In [a parallel] fundraising effort, we also put together a brick garden where alumni could purchase a brick with their name and class on it,” and the proceeds contributed to the statue project.
HealthierJC + Henry Snyder High School Alumni Association (HSHSAA)
Many Jersey City teenagers suffer from an often-silent killer – mental illness. For HSHSAA, creating a Culture of Health means developing programs to enhance the mental health of high school students and their families. Addressing the mental health of young people is key for the well-being of the Jersey City community.
In awarding the mini-grant, HealthierJC acknowledged a long-standing partnership with Henry Snyder High School Alumni Association, to fortify the mental health of students as they progress through Jersey City high schools.
How was the Mini-Grant Used?
The HSHSAA used its mini-grant to increase student interest in good mental health, providing incentives for involvement and identifying areas where the association could assist educators in encouraging students to avoid antisocial behavior.
Since the statue project’s inception, more students and staff were anticipating the project’s completion. Students’ feedback demonstrated an increased sense of pride in striving to do their best academically, because they recognized that the school cared about their futures.
The association worked with the Greater Neighborhood Alliance of JC, NJ (GNA) to send several Snyder students on a college tour and aims to expand that initiative. The grant paid for three events, including the Snyder Alumni Cookout and the student Meet & Greet on the first day of school.
Making a Difference…
“We came up with the idea to place the statue at the school as a form of motivation for students to take
pride in their high school and themselves individually.”
— Kevin G. Hurt, HSHSAA member
Hurt said that the statue is the only one of its kind in the city: “It’s the first time it’s ever been done, and we’re proud of the achievement, which had a great impact on students, staff, and officials in the district.”
The association arranged a ceremony to unveil the statue. “Everyone took part and took ownership,” Hurt said. They also honored the oldest known living alumni of Snyder High School, 105-year-old India N. Edwards.
Hurt noted that mental health issues are among the most destructive forces impacting the well-being of students. “Part of the intention of the statue was to raise the level of self-esteem and inspire students to strive to be the best that they could be and to take academic achievement seriously. There’s no goal they can’t achieve if they apply themselves.”
For more information, visit https://www.hshsaa.org/tiger-pride