This Lido Beach native is aiming to make a difference for children

Lido Beach native Sydney Brett is using her inner and outer beauty to make a difference in bullying in schools.

In 2016, Brett founded an organization called “Stronger Than You Think,” which resulted from her encounters with bullying growing up.

“From that point on, I knew I wanted to take a negative experience that I had and turn it into something positive, where I could help kids moving forward,” she said. 

The central mission of her organization lies in its anti-bullying efforts. The organization works to instill in students the courage to assert themselves and emphasizes the universal right to respect and recognition for one’s individuality.

Brett often visits schools to talk about how to combat bullying and preaches kindness, respect, and mental health. She believes that bullying can lead to mental health problems for both the victims and the bullies. Besides talking to students, she also advises parents and teachers on how to spot signs of bullying.

Recently, Brett held a day-long session at West Elementary School, speaking to students ranging from preschool up to the fifth grade.

“Wherever I go, I try to cater to the needs of the school,” she said. “They wanted me to talk about Internet safety and being kind online. So, I did a lot of that for the younger kids, just basic activities of introducing kindness and how we can do that online.”

Brett’s organization offers various services, including classroom talks, a free mentorship program, and workshops to empower teens, especially girls facing pressures from social media and unrealistic beauty standards.

In addition to her advocacy work, Brett has authored the book A Day in My Shoes, designed to serve as an educational resource.

“The book is about a bully named Jack and as his punishment he has to Spend a day with each of the kids he bullied and see what it’s like to spend a day in their shoes,” she said. “And it just shows the importance of kindness, empathy, and compassion, as you never know what someone’s life is like behind closed doors until you walk in their shoes.”

Beyond her organizational endeavors, Brett recently represented New York in the International United Miss pageant where she was crowned United Miss New York or Miss New York.

“They do not care what you look like or what you wear on stage. You need to have a platform so for me, it’s anti-bullying,” she said. “They also look for someone that does community service and that is very encouraged in the organization. They look for someone well-rounded other than just how they look on the outside.”

She believes that her participation in these pageants, emphasizing community service, has played a significant role in shaping her identity and fostering her organization’s growth.

Adding to her list of achievements, Brett graduated with honors from High Point University in North Carolina this past May. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Fashion Merchandising and Marketing. 

She now has a full-time job working in fashion, where she is doing public relations and marketing for an evening wear company and is in the process of moving to Manhattan.

Her main objective remains the expansion of her organization with the ambition of making a significant impact on the lives of children across the nation.