Mrs. Koriene Petrelli has been an educator for over seventeen years, fifteen of those years have been here at Westbury. She is a teacher of Health and Physical Education, which is where she, "heard the students' stories in class," that inspired to her to create the "Westbury Clothing Closet," She is a teacher known by the staff as "incredibly energetic" and "always involved in something." The students know Mrs. Petrelli as a person who keeps it real and can be counted on. He classroom is a safe place.
About five years ago, Koriene noticed that the students participating in the My Brother's Keeper (MBK), a national program in which the Westbury High School participates, were looking for mens dress clothes for the days they are asked to come in dressed to impress. This was when Mrs. Petrelli says, "I noticed that the boys were coming into the school wearing their best attire, but some of them had oversized or out-dated suits, and many of them didn't have anything they could wear on these days." So, she started asking the teachers to donate dress shirts, slacks, shoes, sport coats and suits. Since then, the "Westbury Clothing Closet," as she calls it, "...transitioned into a full closet that serves our student population." Mrs. Petrelli went on to Donor Choose and asked for clothing and shoe racks, which she was able to obtain and store in her classroom, where the students can discreetly enter and pick up much needed clothing.
Mrs. Petrelli is also the programme coordinator for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme which will start with its first cohort in September of 2024 at the Westbury High School. She is happily married, and I have two children named Enzo and Marissa who are 12 and 10. "They are my pride and joy. I also have a dog named Cleat." stated Petrelli. When asked why, she replied, "I am a huge believer in giving back to those who are less fortunate. It is with humbleness that I participate in activities both here in Westbury and within my own community to help those who are less fortunate."
