Emily holding the ARHU (Arts and Humanities) sign at Stockton's Summer Orientation. Orientation Leaders work with faculty and administration to register new students and welcome them to the school

As a sophomore student at the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, Emily Heerema was chosen to be a part of the Campus Editors’ Mission to Poland and Israel, sponsored by the Anti-Defamation League. Since then, her goal has been to educate herself, her peers, and the community about the human rights violations in the world, past and present. In her junior and senior years as Editor-in-Chief of The Argo, Richard Stockton College of New Jersey’s independent student newspaper, Emily began a series about human rights. This had never been done before at Stockton! Many were surprised because the focus of the paper had been about student activities and organizations. Some opposed Emily for her new focus. The paper now regularly runs stories and articles about human rights violations around the world. Emily stands up for others often against the popular perspective of just reporting the campus news.

Emily says, “A mission of standing up for others starts out noble, but soon people can become anxious, tense, and disinterested when asked about vicious crimes against humanity. Immersing oneself in Holocaust and genocide education and current events can be a tedious endeavor that many people are quick to turn off, but in my life – especially in college – I cannot help but put myself in a leadership position on and off campus. I want to be a voice for the voiceless. Communities as well should have the strength, resources, will, and the responsibility to act out, stand up, and protect.”

Yes, Emily has taken a stand. As organizer for Stockton’s STAND (Students Take Action Now: Darfur) chapter, she often finds herself off campus in local high schools, holding Darfur workshops for students who have shown an interest in the genocide currently happening in Sudan. This interest in genocide does not always appeal to school administrators and educators, and here, again, Emily has faced opposition, but often times she has been able to persuade school districts to have information sessions.

In 2007, Emily again took a stand, when, as a junior at Stockton, she traveled with New Jersey Community Water Watch to Louisiana during Spring Break to volunteer in the Hurricane Katrina relief effort. She gutted houses and cleaned debris while other college students vacationed.

Emily has stood up for others and taken a stand in face of opposition.

As and Editor and Editor-in-Chief of The Argo, Richard Stockton College of New Jersey’s independent student newspaper, Emily began a series about human rights. These news clippings are samples of articles written by Emily.

All For Peace		Darfur