Under the dusky night sky on April 10th, students, faculty, and community members at the Grant Campus united for a powerful cause during the annual “Take Back the Night” march, aimed at ending sexual and domestic violence. As part of April’s national observance of Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, this year’s event broke records in turnout and urgency, serving as a visible, resounding cry to “Shatter the Silence.”
Organized under the leadership of Professor Danielle DiMauro, chair of the event’s Planning Committee, and spearheaded by lead student planner Nina Kezys, the evening featured impassioned speeches, including a keynote speaker who is a survivor of domestic violence, and a campus march. Participants who marched after the speeches in the Sagtikos Arts and Sciences Building could be heard chanting “Shatter the Silence, Stop the Violence.”
“We broke records tonight. This is the most student participation we have ever seen at Take
Back the Night,” DiMauro stated.
Indeed, attendance was the highest in the event’s history, a fact that can be attributed to the event’s panning under the leadership of Kezys, whose dedication to advocacy and academic excellence has not gone unnoticed. A recipient of numerous awards, including the prestigious Coca-Cola New Century Pathway Scholarship — which places her among the top twenty community college students in the nation — Kezys brought both heart and strategy to the night’s success.
The event also drew the attention of top college officials. President Edward Bonahue attended, seated conspicuously in front of Campus Dean Donna Ciampa — a notable point of tension, as the Dean is currently engaged in a lawsuit against the institution. Still, both administrators remained present throughout the evening, a sign of institutional recognition of the cause’s gravity. Both gave brief speeches at the event.
Adding to the evening’s weight were the presences of Suffolk County Sheriff’s deputies and the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office, the latter currently leading the high-profile prosecution of Rex Heuermann. Their participation sent a message that the issues discussed are not merely academic — they are deeply real, deeply local, and deeply urgent.
Outside organizations further enriched the night. Tables from Long Island Bikers Against Child Abuse, the Crime Victims Center, and a range of student-led groups — including the Rotaract Community Service Club and even this student newspaper — lined the campus green, offering resources, literature, and a sense of solidarity that transcended age and role.
As candles flickered and chants faded into the spring air, one thing became clear: Grant Campus isn’t backing down. With student leaders like Nina Kezys and unwavering support from both within and beyond the campus community, “Take Back the Night” has grown into more than an event — it’s become a movement, and judging by this year’s turnout, it’s only getting stronger.