Dozens of student in Westbury put on their Sunday best, sported pink ties for breast cancer awareness and spent the day learning life skills to better prepare for college and the workforce.

The Westbury Union Free School District launched its My Brother's Keeper (MBK) program for middle and high school boys. President Barack Obama started the nationwide alliance in 2014 to address opportunity gaps facing young men of color and help them reach their full potential.

Students participated in different workshops throughout the day that focus on building healthy relationships and healthy minds.

"Teaching students to understand your rights. Teaching them financial literacy. Getting involved in the stock market. Understanding what it means to make a deposit to open up a bank account," said Dr. Tahira DuPree Chase, superintendent of the Westbury Union Free School District. "These are some of those skills that we're going to need to be successful in life."

The district registered to join the MBK Network a few years ago, but never finished the process. The summit held on Friday officially makes them a part of the MBK community, giving them access to technical assistance, resources, coaching and funding opportunities.

During the summit, students met with potential mentors. They networked with local contractors, engineers, construction managers, vendors, community leaders and representatives from community organizations.

High school senior Lenny Jean said the MBK program helps to put his mind at ease. Graduation day will be here before he knows it.

"Sometimes it is pretty stressful because when you're a senior, life's coming at you pretty fast," Jean says. "It's nice because it's different, you know? Instead of being in classrooms, we're actually learning about each other and about our communities."

One of the more popular workshops at the event was a gaming truck that gave students a little break to just be kids. It reminded them to appreciate the small joys in life, but Dr. Chase said it also served an educational purpose.

The gaming truck taught students critical thinking skills and showed them that they have each other to rely on when the going gets tough.

"When I see these young men, I see my own son and I'm so proud of them," said Dr. Chase. "They're brilliant. They're confident. They're bold."

You can read more about the My Brother's Keeper Alliance by clicking here.