Being from Brooklyn, 18-year-old Aaron Straker hadn’t been near a farm until he and the other members of Jeter’s Leaders visited the Patroon Land Farm in Voorheesville Monday, Aug. 3.
The purpose of their visit was to pick produce that would then be taken to the Northeast Regional Food Bank for distribution.
“That’s actually the first time that I’ve been on a farm, and it was quite a trip, to be honest with you,” said Straker. “It was really hot and dealing with the thistles sticking you and picking out onions… it was amazing though. I had a really great time.”
Breanna Gilland, an 18-year-old from Kalamazoo, Mich, agreed.
“The farm was really nice for me because I like that we were able to do something that’s going to have a domino effect,” added Gilland. “The food that we picked (Monday) will go to the food bank, and then people who aren’t able to afford getting food will be able to get that food. So, it’s really nice to know that you’re really making a direct change in bettering someone’s life.”
Visiting the Patroon Land Farm was only one of several activities Jeter’s Leaders participated in during their time in the Capital District. They attended a day-long anti-bullying seminar at Siena College Tuesday, Aug. 4, and they visited the state Capitol and New York State Museum the following day.
Jeter’s Leaders is part of the Turn 2 Foundation founded by recently-retired New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter, who dropped-in at Siena Aug. 4 to attend part of the anti-bullying seminar and meet up with the program’s 46 students.
“It’s something that we are extremely proud of as a foundation to give our leaders an opportunity to learn about other communities and spread the word and give our core values to others,” said Jeter.
Jeter has two connections to Colonie. He spent part of his minor league career with the Albany-Colonie Yankees, and he was awarded an honorary doctorate by Siena two years ago. His sister, Sharlee Jeter, said that when the opportunity arrived to bring Jeter’s Leaders to the Loudonville campus, they took it.
“We always said that we wanted to, after his career, bring all of our kids (Jeter’s Leaders) up here,” said Sharlee. “We have a scholarship with the college and thought it would be great to have them on campus to experience Siena, which is an amazing school.”
The anti-bullying seminar was the centerpiece to the Jeter’s Leaders visit. The high school-age students — from New York City and Jeter’s hometown of Kalamazoo — listened intently to the speakers, who shared stories about how bullying and cyberbullying had affected their lives and the lives of children just like them.
The message that was conveyed over and over again was if you see someone being bullied, do something.
Straker felt cyberbullying is worse now than ever. He grew up when social media became popular, and he recognized it has changed how children have grown up. He felt the most important thing to do is to tell someone and speak out about it.
“I think everyone was bullied at some point,” said Derek Jeter. “It’s completely different with the internet. Cyberbullying is huge. It didn’t exist when we were younger.
“I don’t know if you can avoid it (bullying) – sometimes it happens – but you can help. Your voice is very powerful. Watching someone bully someone, you can have an impact in stopping that,” he added.
That message is one of many Jeter’s Leaders will share with their peers and others back in their hometowns.
Gilland said it’s nice because we get to go in and help people come out of those situations.
“We can help kids at schools who may be having trouble in school — maybe getting bullied, may be the ones bullying — and we get to help them realize what they’re doing, what they can do to be better. It’s really touching,” said Gilland.
An aspiring baseball player, Straker added he hopes to establish a similar foundation someday.
“I think this program has shaped me into a leader and the young adult I am today,” said Straker. “It’s also helped me out a lot in my community, and I really think I would come back and contribute to this foundation.”
