NA LUMEN Spring 2023

LUMEN

LifelongConnections

FROM THE EDITORS

This issue of LUMEN is also available online. To view the interactive experience, visit: www.newarka.edu/lumen

Newark Academy seniors play Bananagrams together in the College Counseling Office.

SPRING 2023

Donald M. Austin

Head of School

Lou Scerra

Senior

Director

of External Affairs and Strategy

EDITORS

Dr. Renée Walker

Director of Communications and Marketing

Julie Kayzerman

Assistant Director of Communications and Marketing

ASSISTANT EDITORS

David Beckman

Evan Nisenson ’99

Lou Scerra

FROM DONALD M. AUSTIN, HEAD OF SCHOOL

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Yasmeen Anderson

Michael Branscom

Kelly Davidson

Da Ping Luo

Lisa Mita

James Worrell

Joy Yagid

DESIGNER

Symmetre Design Group

COVER ART

Sean McCabe

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Executive Committee

Samuel W. Croll III ’68 Chairman

Lawrence G. Cetrulo ’67 Secretary

Marika Alzadon ’89

Donald M. Austin

John H. Bess ’69

Lifelong Connections

Patricia Budziak

Lauren Hedvat ’01 Wayne D. Kent ’85

Robert Marcus

Trustees

Rohit Bawa ’93

Debra Caplan

David Castelblanco

David Crall

Dr. Ajay Dhankhar

Robert Fink

Karen Guy-Smith

Millwood Hobbs, Jr.

Rebecca Moll-Freed ’94

Andrew Kogan ’90

Leigh Mumford

Lisa Powers

Valerie Radwaner Virany

Michael Rockoff ’87

Dr. Melissa Tassé

Rasheea S. Williams Hall ’95

Dr. Kalenah Witcher ’87

Elizabeth Christou Woodall

Emeriti

Louis V. Aronson II ’41

Paul Busse ’38*

Robert Del Tufo ’51*

William D. Green ’69

William D. Hardin ’44*

Nancy Baird Harwood ’75

K. Kelly Marx ’51

John L. McGraw ’49

Robert S. Puder ’38*

Gary Rose

William T. Wachenfeld ’44

Barbara Sine Newark Academy Office of Communications and Marketing 91 South Orange Avenue, Livingston, NJ 07039 Telephone: (973) 992-7000

Email: communications@newarka.edu www.newarka.edu

Greetings from Newark Academy! If you set foot on the NA campus today, you would find that our signature flock of red-winged blackbirds returned in late February, spring sports are in full swing and the school is alive with all of the energy of the season.

This issue of LUMEN features several stories of lifelong connections between alumni and their Newark Academy teachers. As students, each of these alumni found in their teacher not only an excellent instructor, but also a trusted adult, a sympathetic ear and a role model. For their part, the teachers appreciated their students’ unique talents and personalities, recognizing potential that the students were not yet aware of. Through their work in class and in a range of other activities, these students and teachers developed an affinity during those school years that would begin as a form of mentorship and later prove to be an enduring friendship after graduation.

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, we read reports of an American crisis of loneliness, and recent studies have shown that today’s adults have fewer friends than their parents did. Despite the easy connections provided by social media, long-lasting and meaningful human friend-

ships seem harder to sustain. At Newark Academy, the centrality of strong relationships between students and teachers promotes a decidedly old-school approach to building long-lasting bonds that are even more valuable today than they might have been for previous generations.

These Newark Academy stories are a reminder of the enduring power of an approach to teaching that is rooted in dialogue, inquiry and exchange. At its best, teaching allows students to build confidence as they learn valuable skills from mentors who also help them navigate the challenges of adolescence. In the years after graduation, those connections evolve and grow but always remain linked to the strong foundation established at Newark Academy.

Find the Red-Winged Blackbird!

For many years, the annual return of the red-winged blackbird to the Newark Academy campus was announced by former Assistant Head for Academic Affairs, Dean of Faculty and Archivist Blackwood “Blackie” Parlin during Morning Meeting, heralding the arrival of spring. While Blackie retired in 2017, this beloved tradition continues and remains one of many unique traditions held by generations of NA students.

As we look towards the fall, preparations for the 250th anniversary of the founding of Newark Academy are on the horizon. Several community celebrations will take place during the 2023-2024 school year, especially at Convocation, Reunion and Commencement. This milestone will be a wonderful opportunity for the extended NA community of alumni, former faculty and alumni parents to reconnect with one another, to celebrate our first 250 years and to look ahead towards the future.

In anticipation of the school’s upcoming 250th anniversary, LUMEN is kicking off a new tradition in honor of the cherished bird and its distinctive call. In each issue of LUMEN, there will be a red-winged blackbird (see at left) located somewhere in the pages of the magazine. Can you find it?

Once you spot it, email us at communications@newarka.edu by June 30, 2023 with its location to be entered for a chance to win NA SWAG!

Illustration by Tess Kesler ’22.

STUDENT ENTREPRENEURS: NONPROFIT EDITION

In the Spring 2022 issue of LUMEN, we featured six students who began pursuing their entrepreneurial dreams while attending Newark Academy. In this issue, we continue the series with two students who have started their own nonprofit organizations to give back to their local communities.

Kyra Gallagher ’23 – G.L.E.A.M.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Kyra Gallagher ’23 kept reading about the negative effects that virtual learning was having on the academic and social skills of young girls in her community. So Kyra, along with her friend Sofia Keri, founded the nonprofit organization G.L.E.A.M. Inc.

mentor meet once a month to establish goals and create a plan to achieve those goals. The organization also hosts movie nights with post-screening discussions and guest speaker opportunities.

“I founded and run the Ethics Club at Newark Academy, so the ethical implications of my actions and how I can help benefit the greater good in my community are always on my mind,” Kyra says. “Also, being part of the soccer team at NA gave me invaluable connections with a close group of girls, and it’s extremely rewarding to help mentees create similar connections. I’m so glad that this could all come to fruition.”

In the future, Kyra hopes to continue to expand G.L.E.A.M.’s reach well beyond New Jersey and throughout the country.

Aaron Li ’24 – Bake to Delight

G.L.E.A.M. stands for Girls Learning

Empowering Aspiring with Mentors and is a mentorship program that seeks to connect girls of all backgrounds in grades 3 through 8 with female mentors. These mentors help their mentees cultivate passions and interests, develop skills to achieve set goals, and create support systems to navigate their transitional phases of life.

Begun as a passion project between Kyra and Sofia, G.L.E.A.M. has grown to approximately 30 mentors and 50 mentees. Once paired, a mentee and her

Aaron Li ’24 has always cherished being able to express himself through baking and cooking. Loving the process of creating food and sharing it with others, Aaron decided to spread the joy of food with his community by creating the nonprofit Bake to Delight. Bake to Delight’s mission is to create social change through the power of food and the spirit of service. The organization provides complimentary baked goods and workshops as a means of feeding children and seniors, connecting communities and providing sustained civic support.

“At NA we have great opportunities to engage in service activities benefiting

less fortunate communities,” Aaron says. “These experiences have been a great inspiring influence to me as I seek ways to give back through the sharing of joy in baking and providing tasty treats.”

Through Bake to Delight, Aaron works with community organizations and institutions including care centers, senior living communities and rehabilitation facilities to provide delicious goods and run baking workshops. During the process of setting up his nonprofit, Aaron leveraged many skills he developed through his classes at NA, such as project management and effective communication.

“I’m grateful to be able to connect and lift up communities through my love of baking,” Aaron says. “It is also endlessly gratifying for me to see people’s reactions to their first bite of a cookie or cake.”

Kyra Gallagher ’23

Aaron Li ’24

FRANCE IMMERSION TRIP

LEADERSHIP & LEGACY: Another Sit-Down With Newark Academy’s Trustees

Newark Academy’s Board of Trustees (BOT) is a group of dedicated community members with key leadership roles who share an enduring passion for the school, its mission and its ethos. The NA trustees volunteer their time to help safeguard the school’s values, while providing strategic and financial oversight and guidance. In continuation of this LUMEN series launched in Fall 2022, we invite you to learn more about Newark Academy’s trustees, their backgrounds and their commitment to the NA community. LUMEN sat down with current NA trustees Lawrence “Larry” Cetrulo ’67 and Lauren Hedvat ’01 — both of whom are “NA lifers,” having come to the school in the sixth grade — to learn more about their personal lives, their lifelong connections to Newark Academy and their experiences on the Board.

Larry Cetrulo ’67

Larry Cetrulo’s NA education began at the school’s previous location at First Street in Newark and continued through the school’s move to the Livingston campus in 1964, when he began his sophomore year. Up until his graduation in 1967 from what was then an all-boys’ school, Larry was a three-sport athlete who delighted in Minutemen fencing, football and baseball. He is a member of the Newark Academy Athletic Hall of Fame and received NA’s Alumni Achievement Award in 2017 in recognition of his success in the field of law. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Harvard College and a master’s in education management from the Harvard University Graduate School of Education, and a J.D. from Northeastern University School of Law.

Larry joined the NA Board of Trustees in 2012. He serves as the board secretary, chair of the Advancement Committee, and member of the Headship and Trusteeship Committees. In addition to his service to NA, Larry is a corporator emeritus at Northeastern University, a member of the elected Board of Harvard Varsity Club, and a former member of the Board of Advisors for the New England Center for Children, Tufts

University School of Medicine, and a corporator for The Cambridge Homes. Larry is the founding partner of Cetrulo LLP, a Boston law firm. He and his wife, Lynn, reside in Cambridge and Truro, Massachusetts, and are the parents of four adult children, and 10 grandchildren.

A Debt of Gratitude

Ask any of Larry’s close circle of friends what he is known for, and they will tell you that he is a lover of sports and has

had an impressive law career spanning 47 years. While you can often find Larry playing a round on any number of challenging golf courses, lately he has spent more of his days visiting his 10 grandchildren in Florida, California and Seattle.

“I’m very happy in the law and in my law firm, and I am deeply involved in planning a transition of the firm to the next generation,” Larry says. “I’m not worried about filling my time!”

Larry lives his life following the mantra of having “an attitude of gratitude.” Before arriving at NA, he recalls being uninspired by his previous school experiences and seeking inspiration by cutting classes. He thanks his parents for making financial sacrifices in order to place him in what he discovered was a more stimulating environment.

“During my years at Newark Academy, my father supported my brother at [Columbia University] and then in medical school,” Larry says. “It was a big sacrifice to have me in a private school, but [my parents] made that sacrifice and I’m forever grateful that they did.”

At NA, Larry found what he had been missing: a love of academic rigor and athletics. The Cetrulo family has a legacy in fencing that goes back to the early 1900s in Italy, so when Larry joined the NA team he also added to his family’s third generation of fencers.

Larry Cetrulo ’67

“My family came to the United States without much except the clothes on their back and the will to succeed,” Larry says. “My debt of gratitude is almost limitless to Newark Academy. I loved the academics, the discipline and the rigor of it and the friends I made. Of course, I loved the athletics. I loved all of that about Newark Academy.”

Lifelong Connections and Service

When asked to serve on the NA BOT, Larry made the decision to serve the school in order to offer both a perspective from NA’s history and support current students. He encourages others who have the time and resources to volunteer and make philanthropy a top priority.

“I think that there’s a lot to offer in Board service. It’s very gratifying and uplifting,” Larry says. “Giving back creates a virtuous cycle that sustains the school.”

Larry knows the importance of this cycle firsthand. More than 90 years ago, his family established the Dr. Gerald I. Cetrulo Memorial Fencing Tournament, the oldest and most prestigious high school fencing championship for boys in the U.S. They also funded NA’s renovation of the Cetrulo Family Fencing Center as a way of enhancing and maintaining their family’s and NA’s fencing legacies. The upgraded facility, one of the finest fencing centers in the United States, opened in 2020 prior to a historic season for the Minutemen boys’ varsity team, which brought home its first-ever state championship banner during the winter of that year.

“Cetrulos have been fencing at Newark Academy since 1954,” Larry says. “I thought it was important to support the sport of fencing at Newark Academy because it meant so much to us. We wanted to make sure that the sport had a secure home and a state-of-the-art facility in which to excel.”

While Larry is passionate about NA Athletics, he also holds cherished memories and admiration for several former NA faculty members. He counts longtime NA teachers Robert “Bob” Hendrickson and Blackwood “Blackie” Parlin within this group and among the reasons why he remains connected to the school.

“Bob Hendrickson was a great mentor of mine,” Larry says. “He was my football and baseball coach. He was like a father figure to me and one of my heroes growing up. He was certainly an inspiration in my life. He meant the world to me, and I honor his memory and legacy.”

Of Blackie, Larry says, “Learning history from him was the most fun I’ve ever had in a classroom. Since then, I’ve had a lifelong interest in history.”

Hopes For NA’s Next 250 Years

As Newark Academy approaches its 250th anniversary during the 20232024 school year, Larry looks to the distant future. He aspires to have NA successfully celebrate a 500th anniversary in which the school is still upholding its standard of excellence, continuing to be recognized as a premier academic institution and having enhanced its ties to the city of Newark.

“Even though we’re out in Livingston now, we can’t and shouldn’t forget our legacy in the city of Newark,” Larry says. “When I retire, I will keep my involvement ongoing with Newark Academy. I see ways that we can improve an already outstanding experience, so I want to be part of that.”

Larry Cetrulo ’67, NA trustee and alumnus, at his office Cetrulo LLP.

LEADERSHIP & LEGACY: Another Sit-Down With Newark Academy’s Trustees

(Continued from page 7)

Lauren Hedvat ’01

Following her 2001 graduation, Lauren Hedvat returned to Newark Academy on several occasions, including as the 2014 Convocation speaker. She earned an NA Women of Distinction award in 2011 before joining the NA Board of Trustees in 2012. Today, Lauren is an at-large member of the NA BOT Executive Committee and serves on the Trusteeship Committee, and the Finance Committee.

In her professional career, Lauren is the Head of Capital Markets at Nitra, a fintech company providing business and financial solutions for healthcare professionals. Prior to Nitra, she was Head of Capital Markets at LoanSnap, a fintech company using artificial intelligence to underwrite and originate residential mortgage loans, and previously worked at Angel Oak Capital, Barclays, and Goldman Sachs, where she held positions in structured finance and capital markets. Lauren is an active alumna of the University of Pennsylvania, including her recent appointment to the Trustees’ Council of Penn Women. Her alumni volunteer engagement was recognized when she was awarded with the Penn Young Alumni Award of Merit in 2016. She is also a volunteer at the United Jewish Appeal-Federation of

New York. Lauren holds an M.S. in engineering, a B.S. in engineering and a B.A. in economics from the University of Pennsylvania.

From Bread Baking to Business and Beyond

When Lauren left her last traditional finance job in early 2020, her plan was to take a break for a couple of months and travel, then pivot into the startup and tech world. However, the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent quarantine

brought about a great change in her plans, through the launch of her own challah baking business, Noosh Kneads.

“I started baking challah bread and was testing different flavors each week as a way to keep in contact with friends and family,” Lauren explains, noting that her beloved hobby allows her to stay connected to her Persian Jewish heritage.

Lauren began posting Instagram stories inviting followers to guess the flavor of the week, garnering substantial engagement. “It led to people asking me if I was selling [bread], to which I laughed and said, ‘I’m just home baking like everyone else is,’” she says. “More and more people started asking, so I thought, ‘There is clearly some demand and a market for this.’ I’ve always enjoyed the idea of becoming an entrepreneur, and have more time right now. Let me test it out.’” This was also especially meaningful at the time for Lauren as she was able to share this endeavor with her grandmother over FaceTime during the pandemic. Her grandmother, along with the rest of her family, were instrumental in inspiring her to launch Noosh Kneads through their demonstration of the strong Persian cultural values of hospitality and time spent with family and friends.

Since its launch, Noosh Kneads has thrived, churning out a variety of handmade artisan breads each day. Lauren now enjoys juggling her roles as a fintech leader and a business owner. She credits her NA experience with instilling in her the desire and willingness to explore various avenues of interest and to follow her passions.

“I love math and science, but I also have other passions like my love of the arts,” she says. “NA allowed me to

I felt like I was given infinite opportunities to easily explore all of my different interests [at NA].”

–LAUREN HEDVAT ’01, NA TRUSTEE AND ALUMNA

Lauren Hedvat ’01

simultaneously dance, play in the orchestra, participate in sports and serve in the Minuteman Society. I felt like I was given infinite opportunities to easily explore all of my different interests.”

Motivation To Lead

Lauren’s NA experience, paired with her parents’ continual encouragement to give back to others, motivated her to serve on the NA Board of Trustees. She hopes that NA continues to be a leading academic institution that prepares students for life after school by cultivating critical thinking, respect for others, diversity of thought and civic engagement. She also aspires to see NA continue innovating with the rapidly changing times while maintaining its longstanding set of core values, which she says, along with the faculty and staff, make the school special.

“I was really inspired by being able to think about the school from this differ-

ent perspective [as a trustee],” Lauren says. “So, when this opportunity to give back and shape NA’s present and future presented itself, it was an immediate yes for me.”

Lauren takes pride in knowing that NA has an active and forward-thinking Board, which she believes is representative of the school community, bringing together diversity of both experience and thought.

“I think we’re extremely thoughtful around decision-making, whether it’s strategic or otherwise,” she says, “and we do an excellent job of not only thinking about the entire school community at the present moment, but also how our decisions could impact the future.”

Civic Engagement and Philanthropic Roots

When looking back at the root of her civic engagement, Lauren credits her

parents for instilling in her the value of education, community service and philanthropy. She recalls that their support of several community organizations, including her family’s local synagogue and work for the Newark Academy Parents Association (NAPA) and the NA Annual Fund, helped her to see the importance of getting involved and paying it forward.

“We learned that it was not just about giving back, but also helping the community and others,” Lauren says, referring to her siblings, Shannon Hedvat ’03 and Brandon Hedvat ’06. “That’s something that’s become important for my siblings and me.”

Lauren shares her appreciation for NA’s culture of civic engagement, noting the many opportunities she had to participate in service-learning activities while in school. She cites her NA experience as another reason why she is passionate about volunteerism and philanthropy.

Lauren has raised funds for the NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center after being inspired by the good care they provided to her grandmother especially following her hip surgery and when she experienced health challenges late in life. She also selects a different nonprofit organization to highlight each month through Noosh Kneads, donating a percentage of her sales.

“I think it’s really important for anyone who is able to support others to put in the time and make changes that make lives better,” Lauren says.

Meet the Board

Brandon Hedvat ’06, Lauren Hedvat ’01 and Shannon Hedvat ’03.

NA Mock Trial Wins Regional Championship

The Newark Academy Mock Trial Team concluded its 2022-23 season as Northern New Jersey Regional Tournament Champions in the Vincent J. Apruzzese High School Mock Trial Competition. To win the title, NA’s team defeated Sussex County Champions Newton High School in a highly competitive regional round at the New Jersey State Bar Foundation in New Brunswick on March 1, 2023.

The NA Mock Trial team had advanced to the regional round after winning the Essex County Championship for the second straight year, defeating Montclair Kimberley Academy on February 16, 2023 at the Essex County Bar Association Courthouse in Newark. The Honorable Fabiana Pierre-Louis, the first Black woman to serve on the New Jersey Supreme Court, was one of the competition judges. The Mock Trial team is advised by Director of Equity and Inclusion Rochelle Outlaw Edwards, Humanities Teacher Benson Hawk and The Honorable Leo M. Gordon ’69.

“As one of the Mock Trial coaches, I could not be prouder of the 2022-23 team,” Leo says. “Following in the footsteps of prior teams, this year’s ‘Mock Trialers’ exhibited great courtroom skill sets, truly far beyond those of many law students and young practitioners. Their accomplishments set the standard for future ‘NA Mock Trialers’ and teams.”

REIMAGINING OUR APPROACH TO THE INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE DIPLOMA

The New Creativity, Activity and Service Project Is Now a Core Element

By Edward Lisovicz

In its mission to contribute to the world engaged individuals with a passion for learning, a standard of excellence and a generosity of spirit, Newark Academy challenges students to develop both as scholars and as individuals. Now students enrolled in the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program are building further on their extra- and co-curricular pursuits through Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS), a reimagined experiential component of the program.

The IB diploma provides a rigorous opportunity for the nearly 60 percent of NA juniors and seniors who pursue it. To earn the diploma, students must complete a challenging slate of courses in six subject groups, the Theory of Knowledge course, a 4,000-word Extended Essay, and the newly invigorated CAS requirement.

“We found that, in the Theory of Knowledge course, students were reflecting on creativity, activity and service, but not doing much to connect what they were learning to their lives,” says Director of Community Service Sarah Fischer. “Using this new model, which has been in development for the past two years, CAS is now its own complete program within the IB, which more cohesively builds on the service learning already happening at NA.”

“CAS is central to what we are looking to instill in our students,” agrees IB Coordinator Neil Stourton. “Just as students taking on the IB Diploma are committing to a deeper and broader intellectual experience in the final two years of high school, they are now also committing to going beyond the ‘completion of hours’ approach of regular community service, to designing, implementing

and reflecting on their own CAS project.”

In their junior year, students submit a personal reflection, considering all they do outside the classroom and how those activities might align with aspects of CAS. Then, focusing on those items that best define them and working in pairs or groups, they develop proposals for their CAS projects.

“We felt the group work piece was critical,” says Sarah. “In fact, all of the components –collaboration, project management, research, public speaking and communitybuilding –are crucial skills for success in college, and later in

careers and in life.” The new CAS project involves 125 Newark Academy students in the first cohort –60 seniors and 65 juniors.

In her personal reflection, Elena Koestel ’23 considered why, despite making up a proportionally high percentage of the theater industry, LGBTQ+ people and stories are rarely the focus of stage productions. With a goal of highlighting these voices, Elena’s project resulted in the production of three plays written and performed by LGBTQ+ students at Flood’s Hill in South Orange, with all proceeds donated to New York’s National Queer Theater.

“Allowing the CAS project to be a collaborative process transformed the entire experience for me,” Elena says. “Being surrounded by people who are passionate about the same things I am is a gift.”

Dina Drogin ’23 chose to focus her CAS project on Holocaust education. “After my greatgrandmother died, I felt a responsibility to continue to tell her Holocaust survival story,” Dina says. “Because my generation is probably the last generation to hear primary stories, it is more important than ever to give survivors an outlet to tell their stories directly to teenagers.”

Dina partnered with the Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ to arrange an event called “Cooking to Keep the Stories Alive,” with Holocaust educator Becca Gallick-Mitchell leading an interactive cooking class featuring recipes from Becca’s grandmother, a Holocaust survivor.

With the confidence and experience gained from pursuing their own passions in CAS, NA students are doing far more than strengthening their résumés for college; they are discovering who they are and who they want to be.

Marie Kung ’23 and Leo Caplan ’23 present their CAS projects to Director of Community Service Sarah Fischer.

CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF CIA “AGENTS” AT NA!

In 2012, as part of the June Term course “Leadership in the 21st Century,” students were tasked to identify an area of opportunity within NA and to propose an initiative to improve the school. Dan Eatroff ’13 and Alexandra Katz ’14 landed on strengthening intra-school ties among Upper School and Middle School students. Thus, the Classroom Internship Association (CIA) was born — a program in which seniors apply to be student interns in Middle School classrooms, acting as role models for their younger peers while gaining leadership and management skills from NA faculty members. Ten years after its inception, the CIA program is hosting its largest cohort of “agents” yet, with 18 student interns this spring. This year’s cohort includes seniors: Alex Atlas, Rahul Arora, Juliet Bu, Dylan Bulbulia, Lola Cantillon, Marina Chernin, Silas Epstein, Anna Jack, Angela Lagonigro, Pierce Malloy, Isabela McNeilly-Anta, Eleni Morin, Willow Palmer, Alyssa Rubin, Ashna Shah, Lauren Siegel, Jadyn Vichengrad and Olga Zhukova.

Ed Pursell ’02 Sixth-Grade English Teacher

“One of the greatest joys of working at a 6-12 school is the chance to watch kids grow up. It’s been seven years since Silas first walked into my classroom as a sixth grader, and over the ensuing years it’s been an absolute joy to see him become the person he is today. It’s a surreal experience and a real gift as a teacher to see your former student take charge of activities you once taught them. It’s a gift too to see him lead the sixth graders with such kindness, empathy patience and joy.”

Jadyn Vichengrad ’23

“CIA has been a great experience! In joining the CIA, I have made personal connections with Mr. Rezvani, in both a student and peer capacity that most others don’t have the opportunity to have. This experience has also been a great way for the Upper School to become involved with the Middle School, especially for those who did not attend NA in middle school like myself.”

Robert Rezvani Sixth-Grade Mathematics Teacher

“CIA is a place for students not to be graded, but to have an opportunity with trial and error and working with a teacher to observe your own personal growth, strengths and weaknesses,” says English faculty member Alexandra Mahoney, who heads the program. We checked in with seniors Silas,a CIA in Ed Pursell’s sixth-grade English class, and Jadyn,a CIA in Robert Rezvani’s sixth-grade mathematics class, to see how the program is operating 10 years after its inception.

Silas Epstein ’23

“It’s been a surreal experience. I am so thankful to have had amazing CIAs during my time in Middle School, and I hope I am continuing that tradition. I know that my CIAs helped me see the subject matter in a more approachable manner, and I aspire to break down students’ prejudices against the topics we study, like poetry or personal essays. I have gained an appreciation for the CIAs, and especially the teachers, who made that task look so effortless.”

“The CIA Program is a huge reason why I continue to love teaching in the Middle School at NA. The connections the seniors make with my students have been absolutely amazing, and of course it’s always special to have a former sixthgrade student of mine come back during their senior year to teach with me. Just as special are those seniors that never went through our Middle School program but take part in the CIA program. Jadyn has been absolutely incredible this year. Her devotion to help make the best experience possible for my students has been so much fun to be a part of. She did an amazingjob preparing lessons, teaching and creating meaningful connections.”

On its 10-year anniversary, the CIA program hosted its largest cohort of “agents” yet.

WATCH!

Scan the QR code to hear from our Middle School students and faculty members about their experience with the CIA program.

THE NA COMMUNITY ART EXHIBIT: A 20-YEAR TRADITION

Twenty years ago, former Newark Academy Head of School Penney Riegelman pitched the idea of hosting an NA community art exhibit, with students, faculty, staff, parents, alumni and friends contributing works inspired by a common theme. Art Gallery Director Elaine Brodie ran with the idea, and soon after, the first-ever community art exhibit was held in January 2003. The theme, per Penney’s suggestion, was “Secrecy.”

Twenty years later, the community art exhibit is a staple at NA. This year, the theme “Beneath the Surface” brought in an astounding 97 submissions.

“The purpose of the community art exhibit is multifaceted,” says Elaine, who coordinates the show each year in the David Teiger ’47 Gallery for Studio Arts.

“I want the Teiger Gallery to feel accessible to all. Whether you want to share your own works of art or spend time viewing the work of others, the gallery should feel like a welcoming space that belongs to all of us.”

To land on a theme, Elaine spends her summer considering and researching ideas that can yield a variety of

interpretations, so that the resulting exhibit has both depth and breadth. She encourages community members to submit a variety of works, not just physical art pieces. Each year the IB/Advanced Dance students choreograph dances inspired by the theme and perform them during Morning Meeting. This year, English teacher Dr. Andrea Lankin

submitted a poem for the exhibit.

“The annual community exhibit encourages creativity and ingenuity,” Elaine says. “It also brings us together as a community, as all are welcome to submit. People feel invested in this exhibit and spend some real quality time looking at the art in our gallery.”

At left: Art Gallery Director Elaine Brodie proudly stands in the “Beneath the Surface” community art exhibit. At right: Students, faculty and staff view the exhibit.

Scan the QR code to view artwork from the exhibit!

CHEERS TO 30 YEARS! NAPA INTERNATIONAL DINNER

On January 20, 2023, the Newark Academy Parents Association (NAPA) hosted the 30th annual International Dinner in the William G. Wrightson Gymnasium, with the event’s largest turnout to date.

The International Dinner showcases cultural performances and food from across the globe through a potluck-style dinner for students, faculty, staff, parents, family and friends. This year’s event featured newly added “Cultural Shares” rooms in and near Kaltenbacher Hall, which presented artifacts, activities, decorations and demonstrations from a variety of cultures. The event was created in 1992 by former Upper School languages teacher Dr. Teresa Anta San Pedro (mother of Director of Immersion Experiences María Teresa McNeillyAnta ’93) and former School Counselor Susan Marcus. It has been held every year since, except in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I have always believed that the beauty of the world comes from our differences, not our similarities,” says Teresa. “If we were all alike, we would have a very boring existence. We have much to learn from each other.”

MORE PHOTOS!

Scan the QR code to view more photos celebrating 30 years of the NAPA International Dinner.

A. Newark Academy students, parents, faculty, staff and friends celebrate and share their cultures at the 30th annual International Dinner in 2023.

B. Newark Academy parents celebrated their ethnic backgrounds through newly added “Cultural Shares” rooms during this year’s International Dinner.

C. The first-ever International Dinner was featured in the January 19, 1992 issue of The Star-Ledger.

D. Brad McNeilly, Isabela McNeilly-Anta ’23, Justa Hernandez García, Dr. Teresa Anta San Pedro, Kennedy McNeilly-Anta ’20 and Director of Immersion Experiences María Teresa McNeilly-Anta ’93 at the 2005 International Dinner.

B.

A.

C.

D.

Q&A WITH NA STUDENT-ARTISTS

Miranda Jiang ’23 and Abhi Varadarajan ’23

From visual arts to theater, Newark Academy Arts offers the opportunity for self expression and educational development for students. Miranda Jiang ’23 and Abhi Varadarajan ’23, both of whom are nearing the completion of their senior year at NA, reminisce and share fond memories about their experiences as NA student-artists.

Q: What are your favorite extracurricular activities both at and outside of Newark Academy?

Miranda Jiang : Outside of school, I’ve been involved in the Juilliard PreCollege Program since my sophomore year. Here at Newark Academy, I play baritone saxophone for Chameleon (NA’s top-tier big band). The bassoon is my primary instrument and I consider it to be a big part of my identity.

Q: What are your memorable moments within the NA Arts program?

MJ: When I first joined Chameleon, I was really intimidated because jazz is such a big part of our school’s culture. But everyone who’s been here as part of the jazz program has helped me a lot. I’m really grateful that being at Newark Academy, I get to experience this other aspect of music.

AV: For both choir and jazz, I would say the communities are what I’ll remember most. Both programs are tight-knit and supportive of each other, which makes our final product even stronger. The people I’ve met through music are who I’ll remember the most.

Q: What lessons have you learned from these experiences?

MJ: I think studying music is something that really takes a lot of resilience, and it’s also something you have to be passionate about. You have to enjoy the time you’re spending on improving yourself as a musician because there is no off-season. When I have more time on the weekend, after I’m done with

academic work, I’m thinking, “Oh, I have more time to practice now.” It may sound unexciting to many people, but this is the amount of dedication you need to remain competitive at such a high level.

AV: I would say, especially this year, I’ve learned through music to be adaptable and versatile in everything I do. This year, I saw that translate to saxophone because now in Chameleon, I’m being asked to play three different types of saxophone: soprano, alto and tenor. Through choir, I’ve been able to step into a more prominent leadership role which I wouldn’t have developed anywhere else. As a section leader, I’ve helped newer students settle in quickly to help the ensemble function as a unit.

Q: In what ways has NA’s Arts programs uniquely prepared you for the future?

Abhi Varadarajan: I participate in both music and sports. I take Carnatic music lessons (South Indian classical music) vocally outside of school to keep me connected with my culture. At NA, I’m part of the Concert Choir, Academy Voices and Chameleon, where I play the saxophone. As far as sports go, I enjoy running cross country and track.

I think the most important thing I’ve always tried to take away from music, at the end of the day, is that it’s supposed to be fun. I’ve found that at NA.”

Miranda Jiang ’23

– Abhi Varadarajan ’23

Abhi Varadarajan ’23

MJ: The music program here, especially the jazz program, really offers students a way to showcase themselves beyond who they are as students in a classroom, which I think is really important. Before coming to NA, I just saw music as more of a hobby and something I did for fun. But the NA community’s appreciation and support for the arts has allowed my hobby to develop into something greater. My plan is to pursue a dual degree in college for bassoon performance and economics.

AV: The mentality at the end of the day, especially when I’m doing something really challenging, is to just stick it out and work through it. And that happens in cross country sometimes too. Especially being a distance runner, I just have to keep the pace steady and work through it because there are a lot of times when practice is more of a slow and steady thing, as opposed to a sprint. It’s similar with music. When playing the saxophone, I’ll have trouble with playing a certain musical figure one day … but then I come back the next day and it’s suddenly under my fingers. Sometimes, I have to remind myself if I’m struggling early on to think about the long game.

NA’s

Chameleon and Jazz Collective Earn Top Honors at Mingus Festival

Newark Academy’s top-tier big band, Chameleon, and jazz combo, the NA Jazz Collective, each took first place in their respective categories at the 15th Annual Charles Mingus High School Competition and Festival held at The New School of Jazz in New York City on February 18-19.

Q: What advice would you give to new students who want to get involved in NA Arts?

MJ: I’d say don’t hesitate to at least try getting involved in it. Even if it feels intimidating in the beginning, there are people who will support you along the way, and you can really learn a lot. There’s always so much to learn from your peers.

AV: My study of Eastern and Western music is more like the two lenses of my

glasses that work together to give me this whole scope of music that I wouldn’t have had if I hadn’t done both. I think the most important thing I’ve always tried to take away from music, at the end of the day, is that it’s supposed to be fun. I’ve found that at NA. I would tell anyone starting out with music to remember that no matter what, remember to enjoy what you’re doing. It makes the experience that much better.

RISING FROM THE ASHES: Svan Mura ’24 Gets Published in Collection

From more than 5,500 pieces submitted to a contest on the New York Times Learning Network, junior Svanfridur “Svan” Mura ’24 was chosen to have a poem published in Coming of Age in 2020: Teenagers on the Year that Changed Everything. Svan’s poem, “Dear Generation Z,” is part of a collection that includes diary entries, comics, photos, poems, paintings, charts, lists, Lego sculptures, songs, recipes and rants

from teenagers across the country, showing how they coped with the global pandemic, national political divides and controversies surrounding the Black Lives Matter movement.

“It’s an incredible honor to be included in this collection alongside so many amazing works and beautiful pieces of art,” Svan says. “I love this book as a snapshot of all the often-repressed anxieties, joys and raw talent of my generation. The pandemic and other

struggles in 2020 really put pressure on these feelings, and so many people turned that pressure into amazing works of art.”

Svan’s poem was inspired by a New York Times podcast about lodgepole pines, which require fire to release their seeds. “They can only grow out of ashes,” says Svan. “Nature can be incredibly poetic, and that metaphor reminded me of this contest and inspired me to write this poem for it.”

Svan Mura ’24

Newark Academy Students Earn 56 Scholastic Arts and Writing Awards

Twenty-five Newark Academy students earned a combined total of 56 Scholastic Arts & Writing Awards in the 2023 regional competition. Five students received a Gold Key, the highest award; 15 students earned Silver Key accolades and 15 students nabbed Honorable Mention honors. In addition, Vivian Zhang ’24 was awarded two national gold medals for her drawing “Home” and painting “Pressure.” Her piece “Home” will be exhibited at Carnegie Hall. Marina Chernin ’23 also received recognition at the national level with a silver medal for her critical essay “Violence in Decolonization: A Weak Substitute for Power.” The Scholastic Awards is the nation’s longest-running recognition program for students in grades 7 through 12 for creativity and excellence in various categories of arts and writing.

Regional Arts Awards

GOLD KEY

Anouk Hemingway ’25

Vivian Zhang ’24* (2)

SILVER KEY

Kieri Keys ’24

Amy Wang ’25 (3)

Vivian Zhang ’24

HONORABLE MENTION

Natalie Blake ’26 (2)

Ivie Drogin ’25

Kieri Keys ’24

Amy Wang ’25

Vivian Zhang ’24 (3)

Writing Awards

GOLD KEY

Marina Chernin ’23* (2)

Olivia Palker ’24

Suved Wali ’24

SILVER KEY

Izzy Becker ’24

Natalie Blake ’26

Siyona Bordia ’25 (2)

Lola Cantillon ’23

Marina Chernin ’23

Talia Elwyn ’26

Matthew Higgins ’25

Jeff Kunzweiler ’25

Zinnia Magill ’24

Svanfridur Mura ’24

Olivia Palker ’24 (5)

Yulin Tang ’26

HONORABLE MENTION

Izzy Becker ’24

Natalie Blake ’26

Alex Dang ’26

Eddie Ho ’25

Inchara

Hosanagar ’24 (3)

Abby Hsu ’25

Angela Huang ’27

Kieri Keys ’24

Jeff Kunzweiler ’25

Olivia Palker ’24 (3)

Lily Sternlieb ’24

Sanjita Tumu ’27

Top: Kneaded Nostalgia, by Anouk Hemingway ’25.

Bottom: Home, by Vivian Zhang ’24, earned a national gold medal.

*Students who went on to earn medals at the national level.

Q&A WITH MINUTEMEN STUDENT-ATHLETES

Isabela

McNeilly-Anta ’23 and Jelani Dean ’23

Interview by Nina Shirey, Sports Information Director

For many Newark Academy students, being part of Minutemen Athletics has been a pivotal part of their growth and development. We sat down with two-sport (soccer and fencing) captain Isabela McNeilly-Anta ’23 and with three-sport athlete (football, indoor track and spring track and field) and two-sport captain Jelani Dean ’23 to hear more about what has made their NA athletic experience memorable.

Q: What are the biggest lessons and skills you have learned as a student-athlete?

IMA: I think a big one is time management. I’ve had to learn how to balance my schoolwork with my athletic schedule. When I go to games or practices, I need to be completely committed to practicing, learning and playing the sport. When you step on the field, you don’t talk about your math test anymore, you are only thinking about your sport.

Q: What is your favorite memory as a student-athlete at Newark Academy?

IMA: This past soccer season we were in the state tournament and one game went to penalty kicks and I was the last to shoot. I scored the game-winning penalty kick goal, and the fact that it meant we would have another week of practices and another game meant the world to me. It felt like there was something I could do to keep the season from ending, and just being able to play more was amazing.

Q: What is special about being a member of a Newark Academy athletic team?

Isabela McNeilly-Anta: It’s the energy. We work hard day in and out on perfecting the small things. In the end, it’s all worth it, and we have fun working hard together. There’s no feeling comparable to the rush of winning a close game against a school rival and storming the field afterward.

Jelani Dean: Being able to get to know people that you wouldn’t know outside of the classroom context. There is a lot that people bring to the table that you might not be able to experience if you just get to know them in the classroom setting.

JD: The biggest lesson I’ve learned is collaboration. Through sports, we get to learn sportsmanship, how to cooperate with each other and accept and give constructive criticism. That pushes us forward and helps us develop as individuals in a more sophisticated setting.

Q: In what ways does participating in NA Athletics uniquely prepare you for the future in ways you might not have experienced elsewhere?

IMA: My main takeaway from sports at NA is learning how to lead. Even if you’re a younger player, you learn to step up to challenges and work with everyone else.

JD: It helps you get to know people. You become more personable and outgoing. That laid-back yet helpful environment where you’re genuinely pushing each other to get better improves you.

JD: Going to the Meet of Champions with my track 4x100 meter relay team during my sophomore year. That was the moment where I felt like I had really achieved something great.

Q: What would you say is the best part of being on a team at Newark Academy?

IMA: Team spirit, connecting with others and the camaraderie outside of the sport. Getting closer to people that way really brings the community together. I could not imagine Newark Academy without sports.

JD: You get to really grow yourself in a context that isn’t educational. You get the chance to prove yourself. Here at NA, you get the chance to become that fully-fledged athlete you see in yourself.

Isabela McNeilly-Anta ’23

Jelani Dean ’23

NA Tennis Team Members Facilitate Charity Tennis Event

By Nina Shirey, Sports Information Director

Last summer, four Newark Academy varsity tennis players — Ayanna Varma ’25, Andrew Kotzen ’24, Josh Mandelbaum ’24 and Ethan Polen ’23 —helped organize and run a Rally

for Tennis charity event at the West Orange Tennis Club. The event was held in support of Greater Newark Tennis & Education (GNTE), which provides tennis instruction and educational opportu-

nities to underprivileged children in the Newark area. Combined with a parallel New England fundraiser, Rally for Tennis raised a total of $69,779 to support access to free tennis clinics, equipment and instruction from GNTE for children from under-resourced communities.

Rally For Tennis was launched in 2021 with events featuring tennis clinics, high-level exhibition play featuring top nationally ranked players, raffle prizes and an online silent auction. This year was the first time that the event was held in New Jersey. In preparation, Ayanna, Andrew, Josh and Ethan worked tirelessly to obtain sponsors, raise funds and secure donations for the silent auction and raffle.

“The Rally for Tennis event was a huge success and extremely fun to prepare and run,” says Ethan. “We started to have calls with the Rally for Tennis New England team to learn about the program and determine the best way to run a successful event. By mid-summer,

Photo courtesy of USTA.

we started contacting sponsors and corresponding with the United States Tennis Association for silent auction items.”

“I have been passionate about tennis for most of my life,” says Ayanna. “Not only has tennis been the gateway to learning important life skills like a strong work ethic, a growth mindset and perseverance, but it has been a ton of fun. Rally for Tennis was a great way for me to share the sport that I love with hundreds

of kids. Our New Jersey event raised over $49,000 for Greater Newark Tennis and Education, which was a game-changer in their mission to provide underprivileged kids in the Newark area with educational opportunities and tennis training. The team was humbled to meet some of the kids from the organization and help them improve their game. I think Rally for Tennis was an inspiring, positive, and worthwhile experience for us all.”

NCAA BOUND

Four Newark Academy seniors intend to compete in collegelevel athletics next year. See more photos from their signing days on social media @NA_Minutemen.

Jonathan Eichler

Kenyon College for baseball

Deon Mingo Jr.

Rutgers University-Newark campus for basketball

Torata Mishima

Boston College for fencing

Willow Palmer

East Stroudsburg University for swimming

ATHLETICS @ NA

2022 –2023 MINUTEMEN ATHLETICS FALL/WINTER CHAMPIONSHIPS

State Champions

Varsity boys’ swimming

Prep B Champions

Varsity boys’ cross country

Varsity boys’ swimming

Varsity girls’ swimming

Varsity girls’ basketball

Varsity boys’ indoor track

SEC American Champs

Varsity girls’ tennis

SEC Liberty Champs

Varsity girls’ basketball

Middle School Athletic Conference Champions

Middle School boys’ and girls’ swimming

Follow the Minutemen

Instagram: @NA_Minutemen

Twitter: @NA_Minutemen

Facebook: @NAMinutemen

at www.naminutemenathletics.com

Josh Mandelbaum ’24 (far left), Andrew Kotzen ’24 (second from the left), Ethan Polen ’23 (second from far right), Ayanna Varma ’25 (far right) raised over $49,000 for the GNTE through their Rally for Tennis New Jersey event.

Photo courtesy of USTA.

Life at NA!

On Set at NY1

Students from our Middle School Sports Network took a trip to the set of Spectrum News NY1 to learn the ins and outs of the broadcasting industry!

Rainbow Over Campus! Middle School Humanities Teacher

Daniel Petrillo ’06 captured a beautiful double rainbow over campus on his way into work!

Everything But a Backpack Day!

Our students were quite creative during “Everything But a Backpack Day!”

Scan the QR code for more photos!

Pet Therapy

We had some furry visitors in the Student Activity Center as part of “Destress December!”

Follow Us to Stay Updated on All Things NA!

Instagram: @NewarkAcademy

Facebook: @NewarkAcademy

Twitter: @NewarkAcademy

LinkedIn: @NewarkAcademy

Scan the QR code to view more photos!

Newark Academy’s Innovation in Teaching and Learning Fellowship Program

This past year, Newark Academy established a new Innovation in Teaching and Learning Fellowship Program. Spearheaded by Director of Studies Jeffrey Vinikoor, the program aims to be an incubator of innovative instructional practices. It is designed to support faculty fellows who propose, develop and implement projects seeking to transform the Newark Academy student experience in significant and meaningful ways.

The Innovation in Teaching and Learning Fellowship Program supports up to four fellows annually through $10,000 stipends to support the research, development and implementation of their projects. Faculty members who are awarded a fellowship as a pair will each receive a $5,000 stipend.

By empowering faculty to reimagine instructional practices, essential skills, course content and classroom communities, the fellowship program lives out the school’s mission of aspiring to a standard of excellence, engendering a passion for learning, and fostering a generosity of spirit.

Read on to see how the first-ever recipients of the fellowship grant have been transforming their NA classrooms during the 2022–23 school year.

Jim Coe and Callie Prince Upper School Humanities

With Newark Academy’s 250th anniversary on the horizon, Jim and Callie are using the grant to support the school’s commitment to strengthening its connections with Newark, NA’s original home. Their American Experience course curriculum now includes at least one Newarkspecific lesson in each unit throughout the year; a field trip to Newark, where artifact analysis offers an opportunity for experiential learning; a visit to the Newark Museum, where students engage in workshops examining African American history and contemporary art and history around Newark; and a course-culminating project that requires each student to correlate a self-selected topic with the history of Newark.

Top: Max Biezin ’25 and Jaeden Henry ’25 pose with an old school house on the Newark Museum grounds.

Bottom: American Experience students engage in workshops at the Newark Museum.

This program allowed us to design lessons that highlight meaningful connections between the history we are studying and our origin city.”

During the class trip to Newark this year, Jim and Callie also took their students to Harriet Tubman Square to see the original location of Newark Academy, and to Military Park to visit the Wars of America statue. The field trip concluded at the New Jersey Historical Society (NJHS), where students completed a sourcing assignment on New Jersey-related primary sources from the NJHS archives and worked on a propaganda assignment using World War I-era posters.

“We are constantly looking for new methods to connect the past to the present in tangible ways that help our students bridge the content and the skills we teach,” Callie says. “This program allowed us to design lessons that highlight meaningful connections between the history we are studying and our origin city.”

Fan Luo Middle School Language

Knowing that many Middle School students are reluctant to study Mandarin because they are unfamiliar with the language, Fan used her innovation grant to implement experiential learning projects and activities that provide opportunities for students to learn the language in a more comfortable setting, instead of through memorization for assessments.

For one of the new projects, Mandarin B students read articles and watched authentic videos about the school lives of seventh-grade Chinese students, then participated in extensive discussions and presentations on the similarities and differences to life at NA. For a unit in Fan’s Mandarin C

class, students studied a menu from a local dim sum restaurant and practiced ordering food in culturally appropriate ways through writing and performance. The class then went on a field trip to the restaurant, ordered and enjoyed a meal, and wrote subsequent food reviews. To conclude the project, each student designed a menu including key elements of authentic Chinese restaurants.

“This grant was so important because it allowed me to restructure my classes to better fit my students’ needs,” Fan says. “While students work on their projects, I’m able to walk around and give individualized feedback. It helps break the old stereotype of a traditional Mandarin class. I’m also a very creative person, and having a platform to do this work helps me use my creative energy in a productive and structured way to enhance my students’ academic experience.”

(Continued)

Fan Luo’s Mandarin C class gathers at a local dim sum restaurant for an oral assessment.

–Callie Prince, Upper School Humanities

This grant was so important because it allowed me to restructure my classes to better fit my students’ needs.”

–Fan Luo, Middle School Language

(Continued from page 23)

Scott Rowling Upper School Mathematics

Scott has used this fellowship to transform his mathematics classes in ways that align with Newark Academy’s emphasis on skills-based learning. His lessons are grounded in relevant content through the Six Cs: critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, communication, character and cultural competency. Scott conducted research and implemented a student-centered, problem-solving-based curriculum for his Algebra 2 Trigonometry and Precalculus classes, where he acts as a facilitator and coach instead of using the traditional teacher-led and textbookreliant classroom model.

In Scott’s classes, students work on developing problemsolving skills through open-ended response questions. They become active and engaged learners rather than spending time on memorization and numerous practice problems. Instead of a textbook, each of Scott’s students receives a unit packet with an inquiry-based approach to discovering content.

“We are creating an academic process that motivates students to think critically and deeply, take ownership of their learning, and develop a positive attitude,” Scott says. “Students at NA show real enthusiasm for learning while maintaining a growth mindset when working in small and large groups.”

Debra “Deb” Tavares Middle School Science

A global pandemic, climate change, economic uncertainties, diminishing resources — these crises compelled Deb to use the fellowship grant to equip her sixthgrade science classes with HTC Vive Pro VR (virtual reality) Headsets with handheld controllers, a 49" curved monitor, a Liquid Cooled CPU, and Autodesk Fusion 360, used in professional architectural design to enhance her lessons on sustainability.

As educators, it is our responsibility to present those opportunities to our students by giving them the tools and skills to unleash their creativity and solve real-world problems.”

–Debra Tavares, Middle School Science

Deb’s curriculum consists of several units on sustainability, in which students research sustainable solutions to meet basic human needs, use CAD software design to create their own sustainable cities, and then 3D print their designs. Now, thanks to the Innovation in Teaching and Learning Fellowship, Deb has taken this project to another level: her students can now take virtual tours of the sustainable cities they design, allowing them to visualize where green spaces can connect with water and air purification, the energy grid and food supplies in cities

the future.

“Advancements in technology and access to knowledge present amazing opportunities for our students to engage in and become leaders in making our communities and our world a better place,” Deb says. “As educators, it is our responsibility to present those opportunities to our students by giving them the tools and skills to unleash their creativity and solve real-world problems. The future of VR tech is now, and my students are thrilled to have it in our classroom.”

of

Deb Tavares uses virtual reality headsets to enhance lessons on sustainability in her sixth-grade science classes.

Scott Rowling uses his fellowship to implement skills-based learning in his Algebra 2 Trigonometry and Precalculus classes.

Profe Romay Translates MLK’s “I Have a Dream”

Newark Academy Profe Alexis Romay translated Dr. Martin Luther KingJr.’s legendary “I Have a Dream” speech into Spanish. Alexis’s translation, “Yo tengo un sueño,” was published by HarperCollins in August 2022.

“For the first few days (or was it weeks?), I still couldn’t believe that I was going to be the vehicle through which Dr. King’s words would reach a Spanish-speaking audience,” Alexis says. “Yet, rather than intimidate me, that responsibility inspired me and kept me focused and grounded.”

This year, Alexis discussed his translation with a number of classes — including Theory of Knowledge, IB English, World Literature, the eighth-grade World Cultures course, and his own IB Spanish classes.

“It has been my greatest honor to bring this timely and timeless speech into my native language,” Alexis says.

Forging Friendships and Building Lifelong Connections

Interviews by Hannah Wyrzykowski

Ateach and every Newark Academy community event, you can count on there to be an alum reminiscing about a particular teacher who impacted their life.You’re also bound to hear stories of pride from faculty as they reminisce about former students whom they’re still connected with many years after graduating.

From a former student stepping into the maid of honor role for a faculty member to an alum writing a moving letter for a former teacher’s 70th birthday, such stories and memories are shared so often that it’s almost hard to remember just how unique these relationships — which are deeply ingrained in NA culture — actually are.

LUMEN sat down with five pairs of NA faculty members and their former students to get a small taste of the many lifelong bonds that have developed in the halls of NA.

A Sisterhood

Betsy LaPadula, NA English Teacher

Julia “Julie” Appel ’06

Their story started with a hat that looked like a bear. In 1999, English teacher Betsy LaPadula chaperoned the Newark Academy Ski Club’s weekly ski trip, and she saw Julia “Julie” Appel ’06 wearing a hat that looked like a bear. Betsy’s simple compliment to Julie on the hat, which Julie reciprocated by giving Betsy a similar hat for her birthday, was the start of a connection that would develop into something much deeper — sisterhood.

Their time together, Betsy teaching and Julie learning, in seventh grade English class and hours together on School Council, Betsy as an advisor and Julie as an elected member, allowed them to bond over a shared sense of humor, love of books and more, sparking the beginning of a lifelong bond between Betsy and Julie. Over two decades later, their friendship has

endured through many milestones and challenges, including weddings, births and losses. Julie was even Betsy’s maid of honor and memorably wore a kelly green bridesmaid dress at the occasion, a color choice which they both cringe at today, and gives them a constant laugh when talking about it.

“What is unique about our relationship is that we feed off one another,” says Julie. “[Our communication is] beyond shorthand. It’s like braille — but instant braille, on the brain.” There are things Julie feels she can’t say out loud to anyone but Betsy. “I was taking notes at work one day and thinking, ‘Do you ever feel like you are just an ink blob on the paper?’ and told Betsy, who of course understood. No one would get that but Betsy.”

This incredible sisterhood is a testament to Betsy’s long-standing approach of being a mentor to her students and providing a safe space in her classroom where students like Julie could go to her with any kind of issue, social or academic. Betsy nods to Newark Academy for “giving its teachers the space and permission to be mentors for students by normalizing going to a teacher’s desk without an academic problem.”

Still, the culture of mentorship and equality that Betsy has fostered in her classroom is what Julie points to as a key gateway toward developing the language, tools and permission to express her true self. “Betsy always

Julie

is more of a family member than a friend … She is my sister, my family, my person.” –Betsy LaPadula, English Teacher

Betsy LaPadula and Julie Appel ’06

saw me as an equal and separate from my brother (Jake Appel ’02), and that was formative for me in a way I didn’t understand until graduating from NA. Betsy can see in children what they can’t see in themselves, and she gives them permission to be themselves.”

Today the two talk and text at least once a week; each has the other’s

number listed first as a favorite in her phone’s contacts — as family would do.

“Julie is more of a family member than a friend,” says Betsy. “We have a relationship that feels very adult, stemming from her time at NA and has evolved from there. She is my sister, my family, my person.”

Opening Their Hearts and Home

Scott M. Jacoby, NA Director of Theatre Arts, 1982-2017

Julie Madison Jacoby, NA Director of Choral Music, 1987-2006

Eric Fattakhov ’09

When Julie Madison Jacoby, former director of choral music, heard her former student Eric Fattakhov ’09 sing and play guitar at Newark Academy, it melted her heart. That’s why upon finding out Eric didn’t have a guitar of his own, she gave him one of hers, so he could continue to pursue his artistic passion of playing the instrument — a treasure he still frequently strums on today.

Their connection deepened when Eric’s mother was assigned to a medical residency in Brooklyn during his final years at NA. Julie and her husband, Scott M. Jacoby, former arts chair and director of theatre arts, opened their home for Eric to live in, so he could continue his NA education while his mother worked out of state.

That’s the type of familial bond that blossomed during Eric’s time with the Jacobys — whom he refers to as his “second parents” — in chorus class, musicals and on an epic community

The Jacobys have helped a lot of NA students, including me. It takes someone very special to open their home to someone and mentor them.”

Eric Fattakhov ’09 with Scott and Julie Madison Jacoby

– Eric Fattakhov ’09

Julie and Betsy at Taylor Swift’s 1989 World Tour concert.

–Scott M.

service a cappella tour throughout nursing homes.

For Eric, the level of empathy exhibited by the Jacobys and his other NA teachers is a highlight of his experience at the school. “Teachers at Newark Academy make a very personal investment in their students,” Eric says, noting that many of his NA friends are still close with their teachers as well. “The Jacobys have helped a lot of NA students, including me. It takes someone very special to open their home to someone and mentor them. Their kindness and generosity is beyond what you would expect from anyone. They are an example to me.”

Being part of the Newark Academy community for over three decades,

Former Director of Theatre Arts

the Jacobys are known for forging deep and lasting relationships with their students — an opportunity which they thank Newark Academy for encouraging. “As educators, you can’t be successful in teaching in the arts without empathy … and [Newark Academy] wanted us to open our hearts to our students,” Scott says. Julie adds that, “Empathy and mentoring are a strong part of my teaching.”

Julie notes that her relationship with Eric and other students greatly pushed forward her own personal growth. “NA really allowed me to open up and learn about culture. I was a sponge,” says Julie. Her connection with Eric reinforced just how important it was to

take the time to learn about their students, simply by asking questions and listening. “I am smart enough to recognize that I am the lucky one. Eric opened our world. We are richer because of him and all the students we have taught,” Julie says.

This lifelong bond between Eric and the Jacobys — which began through music and persisted through shared experiences — continues to flourish today. Just last fall, Eric flew out to California to visit his “second parents.” With so many memories between the trio, Eric is forever grateful to the Jacobys and has inquired about how he could possibly repay them for all they’ve given him. Their response?

Simply asking Eric to pay it forward if he is in the position to give back. “They are very selfless and never wanted anything in return for their kindness,” Eric says.

As educators, you can’t be successful in teaching in the arts without empathy … and [Newark Academy] wanted us to open our hearts to our students.”

Jacoby,

Sharing Cultures Through Food

Luis Gomez, NA Spanish Teacher, 1992-2018

Jerome Greco ’04

From 1992 to 2018, Newark Academy students often delighted in the tastes of Spanish teacher Señor Luis Gomez’s signature flan and empanadas. A cherished hobby, Luis’s traditional cooking was so beloved throughout the school that families could even bid on winning a home-cooked meal from him during one of the Newark Academy Parents Association (NAPA) galas. One of the lucky winners were the Greco family, who were, of course, excited to indulge in the traditional Puerto Rican feast cooked by Luis, but could never have imagined the incredible bonds that were ultimately sparked that night.

Luis bonded with the entire Greco family, but he formed a special closeness with Jerome Greco ’04, who also loves to cook. Luis and Jerome’s relationship flourished from that eventful meal, and some of their fondest memories together have centered

around cooking and conversations at the table. “As an Italian, cooking is in my blood, and I think that was what really overlapped and allowed us to connect,” says Jerome. “We take cooking seriously, but it’s meant

As an Italian, cooking is in my blood, and I think that was what really overlapped and allowed us to connect. We take cooking seriously, but it’s meant to be enjoyable. It’s important to sit down with family and have a meal together.”

to be enjoyable. It’s important to sit down with family and have a meal together.”

From that night on, Jerome became the “son I never had,” Luis says. “It’s like I am part of the [the Greco family]. They had an acceptance for me and my partner, and just the way they welcomed us as a family in their house was incredible.”

During their time together at NA, the pair deepened their relationship — and Luis became close with Jerome’s sister, Danielle Greco Panas ’02, who soon became the daughter he never had — with the three of them journeying together on various trips chaperoned by Luis including to Costa Rica, Mexico and Cuba.

Jerome, who went on to earn a law degree, credits these trips for exposing him to many different cultures and a variety of perspectives which has been invaluable throughout his career as an attorney.

–Jerome Greco ’04

Luis Gomez and Jerome Greco ’04.

Luis with the Greco family

Luis has continued to play an important role in Jerome and Danielle’s lives as a mentor and friend. Together, they have shared many happy moments and milestones — birthdays, baptisms, confirmations and weddings — and they have been by each other’s side during more difficult times as well. During the summers, they always look forward to their meet-ups at different restaurants overlooking the water.

Cheers to Many More Years

Elaine Brodie, NA Arts Teacher

Dr. Elizabeth Strand ’88

On days when Dr. Elizabeth Strand’s ’88 father — the late Dr. Allan Strand, former Newark Academy Headmaster from 1979 to 1997 — was working late, Elizabeth used to hop into art teacher Elaine Brodie’s 1968 blue Dodge Dart, affectionately named “Object Art,” for a ride home.

“It’s hard to sum up 20-plus years,” Jerome says about the relationship. “We became really close, and I look to him as someone I can trust. He has always been there for me and my family. That is a quality I don’t think he could give up if he wanted to. It’s in his nature to be there for people.”

During these rides, with the windows down and the music on, Elaine’s car became a safe space where Elizabeth found someone to confide in and look up to during her formative high school years. “I felt loved and cared for,” Elizabeth says during a Zoom interview with LUMEN. “It was a really important relationship during my teenage years. Our relationship was a gift, and Elaine helped guide me through everything — friendships, boyfriends, school, work.”

Dr. Elizabeth Strand ’88 and Elaine Brodie ▲

Luis Gomez, Jerome Greco ’04 and Danielle Greco Panas ’02 explore Costa Rica together.

“Newark Academy is such a special place,” Elizabeth continues. “The student-to-teacher ratio and NA’s investment in its teachers made it very easy for us students to rely on them. To get to know them. To feel known and seen.”

This led Elizabeth to become somewhat of a “Velcro child,” always hanging around Elaine’s desk. “And I loved it!” adds Elaine, who was also on the Zoom call. “Elizabeth has an aura about her, a warmth and connection that you can’t deny when you are around her.”

Upon graduation from NA, Elaine and Elizabeth’s connection quickly moved beyond teacher and student to more of a sisterly relationship. Elaine, who has two older sisters, says Elizabeth became the younger sister she never had and their bond continued to grow

over their shared knack for creativity. “[Elizabeth] would make amazing costumes for my oldest son, Matthew ’06, who had a huge imagination. He loved to pretend to be Zorro, so Elizabeth sewed a fabulous silk cape for him. It was his prized possession!” In turn, Elaine crafted an entire dish set on her pottery wheel as a wedding gift to Elizabeth. It was a labor of love,” recalls Elaine.

Although there are roughly 700 miles between the two now — Elizabeth lives in Knoxville, Tennessee working as the Founding Director of Veterinary Social Work at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine — their friendship has actually deepened in recent years through a new shared interest in spirituality and meditation. In fact, Elaine now looks to Elizabeth for guidance in these areas, which have been central to Elizabeth’s life for years. “Elizabeth has these pearls of wisdom,” says Elaine. “She just knows my life so well and has brought me clarity and love.”

As they said their goodbyes during the Zoom interview which was full of reflection over their beloved friendship, they held up pretend glasses and said “Cheers to many more years” together.

Newark Academy is such a special place. The student-to-teacher ratio and NA’s investment in its teachers made it very easy for us students to rely on them. To get to know them. To feel known and seen.”

–Dr. Elizabeth Strand ’88

Dr. Elizabeth Strand ’88 and Elaine Brodie ▲

Going on Four Decades of Friendship

Joe Ball, NA Humanities Teacher, 1980- 2016

Joseph Kusnan ’89

In the spring of 1985 during a World Cultures class, former Humanities Teacher Joe Ball took note of the kind, empathetic and compassionate demeanor of his then-eighth grade student, Joseph Kusnan ’89. Seeing these characteristics, Joe pulled Joseph aside and encouraged him to run for ninth grade class president. Joseph had never even considered the possibility of running, but feeling empowered by his teacher, he decided to go for it. Not only was Joseph elected to the ninth grade president position by his peers, but he was subsequently re-elected as grade class president for each of the following years.

“I don’t know what made me run, but it was probably the confidence that Mr. Ball had in me,” Joseph wrote in a letter to Joe for his 70th birthday in 2020. “There is something magical [that happens] when someone places their total confidence in you at a young age, especially when that person is a teacher that you respect like Mr. Ball.”

Earning confidence from a teacher and the acceptance of his peers was a completely new experience for Joseph. He had been at two other private schools where he never felt fully welcome prior to joining Newark Academy in eighth grade. “One thing about Newark Academy that is unique is the empathy everyone has for people of all backgrounds and cultures,” Joseph says. “I always enjoyed that the teachers came from everywhere. I’ll never forget the kindness and compassion of a teacher like Mr. Joe Ball.

To have unconditional love from a teacher — now my mentor — is very, very rare. This was a very formative period for me, and Mr. Ball was the one who encouraged me.”

Outside of the classroom, the two worked closely together on The Minuteman student newspaper, which Joe advised. “This was a critical time for the newspaper, as we were able to computerize it in 1987,” recalls Joe. “Joseph was instrumental in making that happen.” Joseph later went on to become editor-in-chief.

After graduating from Newark Academy, Joseph continued to look up to Joe as a mentor. Inspired by Joe’s dedication to teaching, Joseph decided to pay it forward by becoming a mentor to other students.

“Mr. Ball opened my eyes to the world of teaching and public service,” says Joseph, who worked at the Newark Academy Summer Institute teaching kids from the Newark public school system — another opportunity encouraged by Joe. This experience eventually led Joseph to join Teach For America during college and to become devoted to nonprofit work, especially in education within the city of Newark. “Mr. Ball unlocked so many things for me,” Joseph says. “I’m very aware that this connection is unique and not everyone has it so I do feel very special. I have a gift.”

Almost four decades after that World Cultures class, the two Joe’s share a forever bond and friendship — although Joseph refuses to stop calling his former teacher and now friend, “Mr. Ball,” out of a sign of respect.

“[Joseph] is just a good, kindhearted person. I saw that in eighth grade with him. We are both lifelong learners; we love to learn, read and share in that learning together,” Joe says. “That is part of our bond — caring about each other and other people in general.”

There is something magical [that happens] when someone places their total confidence in you at a young age, especially when that person is a teacher that you respect like Mr. Ball.”

– Joseph Kusnan ’89

Joseph Kusnan ’89 and Joe Ball

Catching up with NA Alumni

Tackling Environmental Issues

By Alexandra Mahoney, English Faculty

The temperature gauge on the car read 111 degrees and the air was heavy with smoke from Montana wildfires as I crossed the border from Montana into Idaho. I was joined by my husband, NA English Teacher Von Rollenhagen, and our dog Maggie on our cross-country road trip during the summer of 2021. Just beyond Lewiston, Idaho, we pulled into the Nez Perce National Historic Park site along the Snake River to visit my former student Carley Stein ’13 — aka “Ranger Carley.”

After Carley showed us the grounds, we were able to catch her ranger talk, “Let’s Go Fishing,” about traditional Nez Perce fishing techniques and how the tribe now manages its own fisheries while working alongside government agencies to support salmon populations.

An Oberlin College graduate in environmental studies, Carley was inspired to pursue a career as a public servant for the National Park Service (NPS) after working on trail crews with the

Student Conservation Association during her time at NA. She describes those experiences as “key moments in which I enjoyed the work, the environment, the atmosphere and the commitment to service and trail building.”

That work sparked her interest in learning more about the National Park System. As an International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma candidate at NA, Carley examined early 20thcentury attitudes toward land usage that helped birth the NPS in 1916 in

her Extended Essay, a required independent research paper. Still, at the time, she wasn’t clear on all of the opportunities today’s NPS has to offer.

In fact, at the time “it just seemed like a bear wearing a hat was working at the National Parks,” she joked in reference to the park rangers’ iconic “Smokey the Bear” broad-brimmed flat hat that she now rocks!

Carley’s journey from 2019 to 2022 involved temporary positions in four different parks, including Lassen Volcanic and Joshua Tree in California. Recently, she has settled into a permanent position at Theodore Roosevelt National Park in Medora, North Dakota. On the heady topic of “careers in the environment,” she says that being an environmental studies major teaches you “to be versatile about how you can jump into more intangible roles” in fulfilling the “three fundamental pillars of sustainability: the social, the economic and the environmental orders.”

While not all is rosy with the NPS (she apologizes if you’ve recently experienced long lines to enter the parks and urges you to write to your representatives in Congress so the NPS can improve its practices), Carley notes overall that “it’s cool to serve the country and to do fun work helping the visitors.” While being a guide for visitors is one aspect of working for the parks, and while “having a job in

NA English Teacher Alexandra Mahoney visits Carley Stein ’13 aka “Ranger Carley” at Nez Perce National Historical Park.

I believe the initial mission to conserve the land for the enjoyment of future generations is vital in our evolving world.”

– Carley Stein ’13

which you get to do tactile things in addition to paperwork is a dream,” in truth a parks job requires the flexibility to take on a variety of roles.

Currently, Carley’s work at Theodore Roosevelt involves more operations and facilities maintenance duties, like ensuring park compliance with employee and safety regulations. Despite the challenges and frustrations

that working for a government agency entails and the need to continually reevaluate the efficacy of conservation methods, Carley remains passionate about the value of a career that gives back to the environment and the community. “I believe the initial mission to conserve the land for the enjoyment of future generations is vital in our evolving world,” she affirms.

Predicting Power Grids of the Future!

After witnessing the amazing conservation work Carley takes part in at the NPS, I caught up with another former student of mine working toward a more sustainable future, Marty Schwarz ’10, who works at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory near Denver, Colorado.

“My job lies at the intersection of technology, economics and engineering,” explains Marty. While his paycheck comes from the nonprofit, he does have a .gov email since NREL is a laboratory of the United States Department of Energy.

A New Director of Sustainability!

Neil Stourton, longtime NA English teacher, former English department chair and current International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IB) coordinator, will step into a brand new role this fall as Newark Academy’s director of sustainability. Neil will work with a range of constituents to lead and support NA’s sustainability efforts both inside and outside the classroom.

“It’s been an honor running the IB program for 17 years. I’ve really enjoyed getting to know each cohort of students,” Neil says of his work, which included tripling the size of the IB Diploma program and expanding its

course offerings. “Now I’m thrilled to take that experience of building a program to position sustainability at the center of everything we do here at NA, preparing the next generation of students to be leaders in imagining and ensuring a sustainable future.”

From crafting innovative educational experiences on “going green” to the implementation of green building and waste management techniques, Newark Academy plans to remain committed to eco-conscious living and learning under Neil’s leadership. To learn more about sustainability at NA, visit newarka.edu/about/sustainability.

Marty spends his days conducting research to inform models for electricity power grids of the future — not in the next few years, but in future decades, out to about 2050! “Most of our studies revolve around trying to predict what the grid will look like in the future based on market trends, different policies, incentives and tax credits that have certain dates,” he says. “We run models to predict what the operations of the grid will look like in 20 or 30 years.”

Despite what seems — at least to a non-scientist like me — to be a relentless string of nightly news stories of scarcity, extremity and doom, Marty is optimistic about the future because he is constantly “meeting people in the industry who aren’t political — who are technical or who are deeply involved in how the grid actually works.”

Marty, who graduated with a physics degree from Carleton College, has been interested in renewable energy since he was young, when he built little solar-powered battery chargers at a summer camp in Maine. In college,

Carley Stein ’13 holds scale models of traditional Nez Perce fishing implements.

Director of Sustainability Neil Stourton

he became more interested in the grid and the engineering problems that result from the complexity of shifting systems. The technical nature of these challenges and “the connection to something that I think actually matters in our future — that nexus is why I’m pursuing this field,” Marty explains. Right after college, Marty spent a handful of years as a ski instructor and fisherman in Alaska and as a backpacker in New Zealand while solving technical shipboard problems aboard tall ships. Marty then earned a Fulbright Fellowship to India— a global leader in decarbonization— which launched him into the world of engineering research, an experience that led directly to his current job at NREL.

When he’s not predicting the future of the nation’s power grid, Marty satis-

fies his nomadic needs by challenging himself with new endeavors in the outdoors. He finds intellectual stimulation in the technical angles of mountaineering and skiing, gaining skills through a Crevasse Rescue Course or an Avalanche Rescue Course. These new challenges are extensions of a lifetime of outdoor exploration. At NA, Marty spent a semester at High Mountain Institute (HMI) in Leadville, Colorado — the state he now lives in — through the Off-Campus Study Program. HMI “gave me a foundational comfort with backcountry travel … with planning and being isolated for a time.” There’s “so much benefit to being out there in those wild remote places,” he attests, “and in getting out of your comfort zone and then expanding that comfort zone. That’s what growth is all about.”

The Fight for Environmental Justice

Inspired by my visit with Carley and chat with Marty regarding the work they are each doing — despite being in vastly different fields — to implement and advocate for sustainable practices, I wanted to connect with other Newark Academy alums working toward the same goal. That’s when our Office of Alumni Relations introduced me to Sharon Thornton Wells ’76, who works for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Upon graduating from New York University Law School in 1983, Sharon didn’t expect to begin a career in the environmental field. In fact, her concept at the time of what “environmentalism” amounted to revolved around the “save the whales” and “plant a tree” movements. Nonetheless, she accepted a job at the EPA right out of the gate and has been there ever since.

For the first 22 years, Sharon — living in Boston with her husband and growing family — worked at EPA’s Region 1 Office of Regional Counsel, which serves the six New England states, using her experience to direct operational facets of the agency, overseeing the legal requirements in the construction of sewage treatment plants and other projects. Afterwards — somewhat reluctantly at first, but then enthusiastically — she agreed to head the Office of Civil Rights within EPA Region 1, which at the time included the Environmental Justice Program.

About this seismic move within the agency, Sharon says, “I became the client.” As such, she invested herself much more intimately in the mission of the EPA to “protect human health and the environment” — one that remains a constant amidst the shifting priorities of different administrations. Despite her vast experience, Sharon hadn’t previously thought as much about the “human health part of the

Marty Schwarz ’10

Getting out of your comfort zone and then expanding that comfort zone. That’s what growth is all about.”

– Marty Schwarz’10

equation” — that she might be able to weigh in on the impact of wood stove usage in Vermont, for example, and how it affects the air people breathe.

In implementing the agency’s policies around environmental justice, Sharon has sought to prioritize “capacity building” — the ways in which people can learn about the decisions being made in their communities and understand how issues and concerns can be brought to decision-making bodies. Her outreach in the region has included offering small grants to help communities educate and organize themselves, providing a “tip line” for people to leave messages about concerns, and creating fact sheets

in different languages to inform those who may be impacted by a decision.

“We need to understand the demographics of the communities we’re working with, so we can give them information in a way they can best understand it,” she says. “We need to be cognizant of the daily lives of the people in a location so that a meeting can be wellattended. One thing communities hate more than anything else is when we (or any organization) are not looking at things holistically. We have to see beyond the specific issue to listen and understand that there is a whole litany of circumstances in play.”

To this end, another major initiative under Sharon’s leadership is a commitment to “collaborate with other agencies and entities that have a role in what we’re all trying to achieve,” she says. “We’ve been able to be a convener for different issues, bringing together all the appropriate agencies in order to address a problem. It’s never a situation where ‘it’s not our job’ — it is our job to figure out whose job it is and to make sure those people are present at community meetings.”

As one of only two students of color in her class at NA, Sharon credits her experience in high school for giving her “the perspective of being able to feel comfortable in any kind of situa-

tion around anybody.” A student during the “responsible learning era,” Sharon adored her history class with Lee Abbey, although math was her favorite subject. NA “prepared me very well for Trinity College,” where — in another predominantly white institution — she felt like she was “always being the change agent.”

Sharon explains how she willingly and patiently fielded questions from peers who had never had a Black person in their classes. Being a boundarybreaker and prizing difficult conversations are among the many qualities that have enabled Sharon to flourish. These characteristics are vital in her work to craft regional programs intended to empower residents with the knowledge and agency to ensure community health amidst environmental progress.

Though she didn’t share this tidbit with me, I also learned that Sharon has received numerous awards including EPA’s highest honor, a Gold Medal for Exceptional Service for systematically transforming regional operations to incorporate environmental justice principles, and for achieving dramatic results in environmental justice communities. In close to 40 years of service — and while raising three children and becoming a grandmother of one — Sharon has brought her indefatigable and measured energies to her role as a public servant, fortifying the EPA’s commitment to environmental justice. Whether it’s evaluating conservation efforts in National Parks, predicting the future of power grids or empowering citizens to be informed on local environmental issues, I’m so proud to have connected with just a few of the many Newark Academy alumni who work each day to pave the way for a more sustainable and environmentally just future.

We need to understand the demographics of the communities we’re working with, so we can give them information in a way they can best understand it. We have to see beyond the specific issue to listen and understand that there is a whole litany of circumstances in play.”

– Sharon Thornton Wells ’76

Sharon Thornton Wells ’76

FROM THE ARCHIVES

By Jim Coe NA Archivist and Humanities Faculty

With Newark Academy’s 250th anniversary rapidly approaching, I dove into the school’s archives for the first time as the school’s newest archivist in September 2022, hoping to find some inspiration. Luckily for me, during my second hour of digging, I came across a folder with several photos and descriptions of Newark Academy’s cornerstone–the one framed and housed in the foyer of our front entrance –and found my curiosity and interest piqued.

I thought more deeply about the upcoming anniversary and wondered how many members of our community have passed that cornerstone without ever questioning its origin. At that moment, I knew I’d found my hook for an AllSchool Morning Meeting Presentation detailing each of Newark Academy’s four locations, from its first in Newark to its present one in Livingston.

Digging deeper into the archives, I also explored NA’s last major milestone celebration –our bicentennial in 1974. Perusing the bicentennial files, I discovered an official congratulatory letter from the White House, signed by thenPresident Richard Nixon on January 16, 1974. As my fellow fans of U.S. history might remember, 1974 proved a fateful year for Nixon: he officially resigned the presidency less than seven months

later, on August 9. Unsurprisingly for a school whose founding occurred before that of the United States, Newark Academy has borne witness to incredible history.

Throughout my first year as NA’s archivist, I have barely skimmed the surface of the totality of our school’s artifacts. However, just as I did with our school community during that Morning Meeting, I wanted to share with LUMEN the different Newark locations of Newark Academy. Though NA has a tremendous history, as a teacher in the Humanities Department, I believe that the future of the Academy is even brighter –especially with the students I see in my classroom each and every year.

NA’s First Location, 1774– 1780

An artist’s rendering colorfully depicts the first schoolhouse that hosted Newark Academy in Newark. This building also had the shortest tenure, lasting only a handful of years –some of those as a barracks for Washington’s Continental Army –before British soldiers burned it to the ground during the Revolutionary War. This first location, on Harriet Tubman Square –formerly Washington Park –is now marked by a giant boulder and tablet just a few short steps from the Newark Museum of Art.

NA’s Second Location, 1792 –1857

Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, Newark Academy found new life in this second location at the intersection of Broad and Academy Streets in Newark. If you look closely, you’ll notice that the right portion of the edifice was a later addition to the school, added in the early 1800’s. The school began educating girls alongside boys from 1802 until 1809, at which time the sexes were separated into different departments, necessitating the new wing. Today, the intersection of Broad and Academy Streets is home to a clothing store.

The Newark Academy Cornerstone

While it is currently located in the vestibule of the main entrance in Livingston, the cornerstone was the first stone laid at NA’s second location on Broad and Academy Streets in Newark. It was used as a step at the side door of the building, trampled upon by hundreds of students over a period of years, leaving it caked with so much dirt that it was forgotten. It was eventually re-discovered in 1887, 30 years after NA had moved on, at which time it was cleaned and placed in the wall of the school’s next building. This cornerstone has followed Newark Academy to every subsequent location.

NA’s Third Location, 1857–1929

Newark Academy next moved to the intersections of High, William and Shipman Streets in Newark. (Eventually, High Street would be renamed Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.) As with the previous location, Newark Academy renovated the space to fit its needs. The original building, on the right side of this image, housed the Newark Wesleyan Institute before NA’s tenancy. Today, this location hosts the Arts High School of Newark.

NA’s Fourth Location, 1929–1964

Originally purchased as an extension of the school, to be used for physical education purposes, this location eventually became Newark Academy’s fourth home in the city of Newark. This aerial view shows the school’s beautiful facade, with the athletic track nestled comfortably between the Academy and Newark’s Branch Brook Park. Eventually, this Roseville location –named for the section of the city in which it was located –would serve as the school’s final home in Newark.

This artist’s rendition of Newark Academy’s Roseville location looks not all that dissimilar from the facade of the Livingston building. Unfortunately, as with the other Newark locations, no remnants of this building remain. The site –along the historic Morris Canal on First Street, between Seventh Avenue and Orange Street –was cleared to make room for Interstate 280. The remaining property is now host to a high-rise apartment building and several businesses.

NA Gears Up for Its 250th Anniversary

Newark Academy had resided in Livingston for less than a decade when it received this official congratulatory note for its bicentennial celebration in 1974 (at right). Over the subsequent 50 years, NA has expanded its current school building in a number of ways. The additions of the Petrello Upper School Wing, Kaltenbacher Hall, Wilf Middle School and Simon Field House pay testament to a school constantly innovating to provide its faculty, staff, scholars, artists and athletes with the best possible facilities.

Construction is currently taking place in the front corridor, the first phase in a series of renovations that will ultimately provide additional collaborative spaces for students, new Middle School locker rooms, gender-neutral bathrooms, and new administrative offices including an Upper School suite. As NA approaches its 250th anniversary, there can be no doubt that our school remains true to its roots and is driven to provide students with a transformational education.

CORACI PERFORMANCE HALL DEDICATION

APRIL14, 2023

Newark Academy officially celebrated the dedication of the Coraci Performance Hall on Friday, April 14, 2023. The renovated, state-of-the-art, 700-seat auditorium is the home to many community events including arts performances, Morning Meetings, Global Speaker Series and more. Newark Academy thanks all donors for their generosity of spirit in support of enhancing the NA student experience.

Save the Date for our Year of Celebration!

Newark Academy’s 250th Anniversary

NEWARK ACADEMY IS TURNING 250 YEARS OLD!

Celebrate with us all year long at the following events:

Convocation – September 6, 2023

Homecoming – September 30, 2023

Ad Lumen Leadership Donor Appreciation Event – October 4, 2023

Reunion (Celebrating years ending in 4 and 9) – May 4, 2024

250th Celebration Event — May 4, 2024

Commencement – June 9, 2024

If you are interested in working on the 250th anniversary celebration, contact Leo M. Gordon ’69, Chair of the 250th Anniversary Steering Committee, at gordon43b@gmail.com

250th Anniversary Steering Committee

Leo M. Gordon ’69 – Chair

Lisa Powers – Vice Chair and Newark Academy Trustee

Donald M. Austin – Head of School

Andrew Binger ’09

Elaine Brodie – Faculty Member

Jim Coe – Faculty Member

Bernard J. “Bud” D’Avella ’62

Mae Hacking –NAPA Representative

Nancy Baird Harwood ’75

Benson Hawk – Faculty Member

Rose McSween –Chief Advancement Officer

Lisa Mulligan– Senior Director of Advancement

Evan Nisenson ’99 – Director of Alumni Relations and Giving

Von Rollenhagen –Faculty Member

Renée Walker – Director of Communications and Marketing

Adrien K. Wing ’74

Student representatives from the Class of 2024

$254,802.52

TOTAL DOLLARS RECEIVED

368

TOTAL # OF DONORS

64 ALUMNI CLASSES MADE AT LEAST 1 GIFT

73

PARENTS MADE A SECOND GIFT TO THE ANNUAL FUND

can be seen throughout the halls of Newark Academy every day — in our diverse student body filled with scholars, artists and athletes pursuing their passions, our state-of-the-art classroom equipment and technology, and our faculty, who engage in lifelong learning.

Make your gift today to continue transforming lives!

newarka.edu/donate

Scan to learn more about the Newark Academy Fund.

Newark Academy Dedicates Plaque in Honor of ALUMNI VETERANS

The Newark Academy Office of Institutional Advancement and the Support Our Troops Club dedicated a new plaque in honor of Newark Academy alumni veterans during Morning Meeting on November 9, 2022. The plaque now hangs outside the William G. Wrightson Gymnasium.

Col. William “Bill” S. Kaplan ’69, Air Force, spearheaded the creation of a plaque inscribed with the names of NA alumni who have served in the United States military.

“It is my hope that this plaque will encourage those who see it to reflect upon, honor and remember the generations of veteran alumni — past, present and future — who have made and will continue to make the way of life we so dearly cherish possible,” said Bill during the ceremony. “From one veteran to another, thank you and thank you to

your families for your service and dedication to our country.”

Students from Newark Academy’s Support Our Troops Club highlighted several alumni veterans and their achievements. Secretary of the NA Board of Trustees Lawrence “Larry” Cetrulo ’67 officially unveiled the plaque with a nod to the late Lt. Samuel S. Coursen ’45, the namesake of Newark Academy’s Coursen Memorial Field, who earned the Congressional Medal of Honor just one year after graduating from NA.

“On behalf of the Newark Academy Board of Trustees, it’s my great honor and privilege to thank Col. Kaplan for his service and to thank him for his dedication to bringing about recognitionof Newark Academy veteran alumni,” Larry said.

If you or someone you know is an NA veteran, please reach

out to Director of Alumni Relations and Giving Evan Nisenson ’99 (enisenson@ newarka.edu), so we can add additional names to the plaque.

Scan the QR code above to watch the unveiling ceremony!

Alumni Association Board of Governors

Rebecca Moll Freed ’94 President

Amanda Addison ’06

Nicole Andrzejewski ’13

Asha Talwar Coco ’99

Daniel D. Cronheim ’72

Justin Garrod ’93

Kumar Ghafoor ’10

Susan Goldberg ’79

Peter Gruenberg ’81

Jade-Addon Hall ’98

Shannon Hedvat ’03

Sydney Hershman ’11

Allison Hyans ’11

Lauren Jacobs-Lazer ’98

Jordan Jett ’11

Lauren Kaplan ’09

Steve Lozowick ’63

Kathleen Mangunay

Pergament ’95

Nicholas Murray ’15

Nnadilim Okafor ’09

Ed Pursell ’02

Jed Rosenthal ’93

Lena Hill Ryals ’94

Alex Senchak ’02

Alexandra Swanson ’09

Pamela Helfant

Vichengrad ’94

Emeriti

Lance Aronson ’74

J. Richard Beltram ’41*

John H. Bess ’69

Leo Gordon ’69

Jeffrey Silverman ’82

William Stroh ’48*

Richard Watson ’50

*Deceased

NYC Networking Night

Newark Academy’s Office of Institutional Advancement hosted a Networking Night on Thursday, January 5 at the Yale Club of New York City. Asha Talwar Coco ’99, president of FORVR Mood, moderated the alumni panel which included: Greg Holtzman ’09, assistant director, partnerships, production, programming, and communications of Hudson Yards Experiences; Marissa Paragano ’06, director, production management at ESPN+ Commerce & Identity, The Walt Disney Company; and Roshan Shah ’98, principal | global advisory board of Avison Young, president of Hamilton Road Capital and president and co-founder of Decimal Digital Currency.

A. Head of School Donald M. Austin welcomes NA alumni.

B. Panel: (L to R) Roshan Shah ’98, Marissa Paragano ’06, Greg Holtzman ’09, Asha Talwar Coco ’99 (moderator)

C. Madison Jones ’17, Lydia Yeshitla ’17, Catherine Benoit ’17, Anisha Mittal ’17

D. Kalvary Hawkins ’15, Whit Harwood ’11, Jordan Jett ’11

E. Jules Salemy ’15, Reese Puntus ’18, Alex Chang ’17, Andrei Buna ’15, Alena Zhang ’18

A.

B.

C.

E.

D.

Campus View

A LOOK INSIDE NA’S NEW FILM AND PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO

Having a dedicated film and photography studio opens up a whole set of new options for students… It is like adding a whole new set of brushes or paints to the palette. We have been able to outfit the new space with state-of-the-art lighting and grip equipment for production of both still and moving images. New COB LED lighting technology allows for the sharingof equipment between film and photography. So far, students have been able to do projects such as light painting, portraiture and food photography. It’s exciting to be able to start making studio work available to the students.”

–James Worrell, Photography Teacher

1962

Bud D’Avella and Pat Ciccone had a spur-of-the-moment meetup for drinks in Sarasota, FL.

1964

Max Abrams and Bill Annitto stopped by Newark Academy for a visit and would love to hear from their classmates.

1965

Alan Grassano owns and operates over 2,000 apartment units in Texas. His son, Alex, is now managing these properties and is currently building another 260 apartment units in the Lone Star state.

1968

Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Elliot DeBear was prompted to paint “Be Strong. Be Brave. Be

Nihal Mehta ’95

Free.” to capture the horror of the war and the spirit of resilience. See photo on page 51.

1969

Will Green enjoyed an evening with his son David Green ’99 and Adam Jupiter ’99 at the Duke University Cameron Field House for the Duke vs.Ohio State basketball ACC/Big Ten Challenge. See photo on page 51.

1977

S. Dillard Kirby welcomed more than 1,300 people to a special screening of the film American River, for which he was executive producer, at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center on January 20, 2023.

1993

While accompanying her daughter, Aria, on a 10-month tour across the country with Disney Frozen,the Broadway Musical, Suzanne Paragano Kane enjoyed several reunions with many NA community members who attended the show along the way. See page 54.

Co-founder of Eniac Ventures

Alumnus Nihal Mehta ’95, co-founder of Eniac Ventures, returned to campus to speak to students in IB Economics and the Entrepreneurship and Business Club about his experiences at NA and his journey into venture capital. Students had many questions for Nihal about networking and becoming entrepreneurs.

1999

Adam Jupiter, David Green and David’s father, Will Green ’69, enjoyed an evening together — despite rooting for different teams — at the Duke University Cameron Field House for the Duke vs. Ohio State basketball ACC/Big Ten Challenge. See photo on page 51. Mark Forscher recently left a design leadership role at Coinbase to become chief marketing officer at Alluvial, a decentralized technology company developing a liquid staking protocol for institutional investors.

2000

William Behrle and Katharine LeCates ’07 married on September 3, 2022, in Essex Fells, NJ. See photo on page 53.

2001

Former NA tennis star Danielle Schwartz Auerbach visited with the NA girls’ tennis team in October 2022. She talked about the importance of work ethic, a positiveattitude and wearing their team logo with pride. See photo on page 51.

2003

Ben Purkert’s debut novel The Men Can’t Be Saved is set to be published by The Overlook Press in August 2023.

2004

Hillary Dixler Canavan made an appearance as a food critic on episode 7 of the new Netflix cooking show “Pressure Cooker.”

2007

Katharine LeCates and William Behrle ’00 married on September 3, 2022, in Essex Fells, NJ. See photo on page 53.

2019

Cadet Kai Youngren was named an American Rhodes Scholar and will study at the University of Oxford next fall.

Drew Flanagan ’19, Simon Gorbaty ’19 and Kaya Rajparia ’22 reunited with Senior Director of External Affairs and Strategy Lou Scerra for dinner in Durham after a Duke vs. Virginia Tech football game.

THANK YOU TO OUR 2022–2023 REUNION AMBASSADORS

Cosimo Fabrizio ’18

Matthew Cowen ’13

Andrew Goldberg ’08

Joseph W. Longthorne ’08

Shannon H. Hedvat ’03

Lauren Jacobs-Lazer ’98

María Teresa McNeilly-Anta ’93

Jed S. Rosenthal ’93

Melissa Dollinger Shein ’88

Robert D. Hardison ’83

Peter Feinberg ’78

David G. Hardin ’73

Paul Krieger ’73

Stephanie Do, Lillian Wu ’20 and Kavya Nivarthy ’21 reunited with Senior Director of External Affairs and Strategy Lou Scerra for breakfast at Dartmouth College, where Stephanie, Lillian and Kavya are currently students. On another occasion, Stephanie and Kavya joined Chief Advancement Officer Dr. Rose McSween for lunch.

Bridget Bowen, Tommy Hales, William Hales ’21 and Teagan Hales ’21 gathered fordinner at Fordham University, which they currently attend, with Chief Advancement Officer Dr. Rose McSween.

2020

While attending a conference in Houston, Director of College Counseling Kerry Winiarski reunited with Olivia Mudrick, who is studying electrical engineering at Rice University. See photo at right.

Lillian Wu, Stephanie Do ’19 and Kavya Nivarthy ’21 reconnected with Senior Director of External Affairs and Strategy Lou Scerra for breakfast at Dartmouth College, where Stephanie, Lillian and Kavya are currently students. On another occasion, Stephanie and Kavya joined Chief Advancement Officer Dr. Rose McSween for lunch.

2021

While visiting Bucknell University, NA Associate Director of College Counseling Kerri Speck visited with currentBucknell students James McCullough, Ben Cole, Theo Wright and Mia Rubman.

Kavya Nivarthy, Stephanie Do ’19 and Lillian Wu ’20 reunited with Senior Director of External Affairs and Strategy Lou Scerra for breakfast at Dartmouth College, where Stephanie, Lillian and Kavya are currently students. On another occasion, Stephanie and Kavya joined Chief Advancement Officer Dr. Rose McSween for lunch.

William Hales, Teagan Hales, Bridget Bowen ’19 and Tommy Hales ’19 gathered for dinner at Fordham University, which they currently attend, with Chief Advancement Officer Dr. Rose McSween.

2022

Noah Chirnomas published his first book, Dome Island: Forever Wild on Lake George.

Kaya Rajparia, Drew Flanagan ’19, and Simon Gorbaty ’19 reunited with Senior Director of External Affairs and Strategy Lou Scerra for dinner in Durham after a Duke vs. Virginia Tech football game.

1. Director of College Counseling Kerry Winiarski visited Olivia Mudrick ’20 at Rice University while attending a conference in Houston.

2. Former NA tennis star Danielle Schwartz Auerbach ’01 visited with the Newark Academy girls’ tennis program in October 2022. She talked about the importance of work ethic, a positive attitude and wearing their team logo with pride.

3. Elliot DeBear ’68 aimed to capture the horror of the war between Russian and Ukraine and the spirit of resilience in his newest painting, “Be Strong. Be Brave. Be Free.”

4. David Green ’99, Adam Jupiter ’99 and Will Green ’69 enjoyed an evening together, despite rooting for different teams, at the Duke University Cameron Field House for the Duke vs. Ohio State basketball ACC/Big Ten Challenge.

W e Fondly R emember

Thomas R. Cervasio ’69

April 2, 2023

Mallory Shaw ’18

March 21, 2023

James D. McWilliams ’62

March 6, 2023

Dr. Harold P. Levitt ’52

March 5, 2023

Sandra LeVan Garrick Former Humanities Faculty

March 4, 2023

Robert Jenkins ’68

February 27, 2023

Frederick Miller ’65

February 10, 2023

Dr. John D. Garrick Former Faculty Member

December 28, 2022

Stephen Schletter ’74

December 12, 2022

James F. Manning

Former Assistant Head of School

November 5, 2022

William J. Jones ’53

November 3, 2022

Neil Van Vliet ’48

September 5, 2022

John S. Lilley ’71 July 6, 2022

Dr. Max Oeschger ’56

August 23, 2021

Robert Osborn ’48

July 6, 2021

Mallory Shaw ’18 March 21, 2023

Recent Newark Academy alumna Mallory Shaw ’18 tragically passed away Tuesday, March 21 in an auto accident in Texas. Throughout her time at NA, Mallory was a standout soccer and softball player, a popular friend, and a kind person. Mallory helped lead the Newark Academy varsity softball team to its second-ever appearance in an Essex County Tournament semifinal in 2018 with a key RBI single. That 2018 Minutemen squad also advanced to the NJSIAA Non-Public North B state sectional final. After graduating from Newark Academy, Mallory attended Franklin & Marshall College for three years before transferring to Liberty University.

“I worked with Mallory on her pitching and called every pitch she ever threw during her career at Newark Academy,” said Athletics Administrative Assistant Marissa MarinoStephenson. “She competed every time she stepped on the mound, striking out many with her quick fastball and deceptive change-up. Being an impact player on a high-level club team, she had a lot of pressure on her to pitch well for Newark Academy, and she took the pressure in stride and did so with her quiet and modest demeanor.”

Mallory’s positive impact on the Newark Academy community will be forever remembered.

Dr. John D. Garrick, Former Chairman of the English Department December 28, 2022

Dr. John D. Garrick served Newark Academy as chairman of the English Department from 1984 to 1990. John had a great passion for literature, music and baseball, and many students loved his inimitable style and humor. He anchored the formidable senior experience that was 20th Century Studies.John and his beloved wife, Sandy, a former member of the Humanities Department, graduated three athletically and academically talented sons from Newark Academy: John ’86, Jameson ’88 and Jordan ’93. Always interested in good conversation, John entertained his colleagues and students alike in the courtyards as he smoked his ever-present pipe. Sadly, news arrived recently that Sandy passed away a few months after him on March 4, 2023.

– Von Rollenhagen, English Faculty

James F. Manning, Former Assistant Headmaster and Faculty Member November 5, 2022

James “Jim” Manning had a 22-year tenure at Newark Academy, from 1957 to 1979, during which he taught English and served in many different capacities, including as assistant headmaster, director of admissions,collegecounselor, academic dean and department chair.Jim was part of the historic move of the NA campus from Newark’s First Street to its current location in Livingston, and he wasinvolved in the return to coeducation in 1972.

In a 2007 interview with , Jim noted that some of his fondest memories were of his days as a teacher, “stirring up fires” in his students. He enjoyed seeing them flock around his desk before class, anxious to discuss the previous night’s homework. Jim was happy knowing that he, along with his contemporaries, taught a generation of students how to appreciate poetry and literature as well ashow to write and think clearly.

5. William Behrle ’00 and Katharine LeCates ’07 got married on Saturday, September 3, 2022 in Essex Fells, NJ.

6. Hillary Dixler Canavan ’04 made an appearance as a food critic on the new Netflix cooking show “Pressure Cooker” in episode seven.

7. Leo Gordon’s ’69 grandson, Emmett Parker Nesenjuk, sports his NA gear.

8. Bud D’Avella, Jr.’62 and his wife, Elaine, were at the opera in Sarasota, FL, when they remembered Pat Ciccone ’62 and his wife, Beverlee, are often in the area. Bud texted Pat on the spur of the moment and voila, soon after the four were catching up over drinks at a rooftop garden!

9. Max Abrams ’64 and Bill Annitto ’64 stopped by NA for a visit. They would love to hear from their classmates!

10. Associate Director of College Counseling Kerri Speck (second from the left) visited with James McCullough ’21, Ben Cole ’21, Theo Wright ’21 and Mia Rubman ’21 at Bucknell University, where they currently attend.

11. Stephanie Do ’19 and Kavya Nivarthy ’21 joined Chief Advancement Officer Dr. Rose McSween for lunch at Dartmouth College, which Stephanie and Kavya currently attend.

12. (L-R) William Hales ’21, Bridget Bowen ’19, Teagan Hales ’21 and Tommy Hales ’19 gathered for dinner at Fordham University, where they currently attend, with Chief Advancement Officer Dr. Rose McSween.

NA ALUMNI REUNITE ACROSS THE COUNTRY AT DISNEY’S FROZEN

Suzanne Paragano Kane ’93 spent 10 months on tour across the country, supporting her daughter Aria, who played Young Anna in The North American Touring production of Disney Frozen, the Broadway Musical. While being her daughter’s support system throughout this journey, Suzanne was blown away by the support she herself received from Newark Academy alumni and former faculty members along the way. Here are a few highlights of the NA reunions that took place across the country at Aria’s shows.

1. Suzanne Paragano Kane ’93 and her kids, Dylan Gawron ’19, Bonnie Gawron ’21 with Aria at the Frozen show in Charlotte, NC.

2. Elizabeth Reitman Waller ’92 and her son Tobey with Aria at the Frozen show in Charlotte, NC.

3. Dr. Robyn Abeles Silverman ’92 with her husband Jason and kids Tallie and Noah with Aria at the Frozen show in Durham, NC.

4. Suzanne Paragano Kane ’93 and Aria with former NA faculty members Julie and Scott Jacoby at the Frozen show in Costa Mesa, CA.

5. Juliet Costa Seymour ’93 and her kids Meya, Cadence, Addie and Nate with Aria in Charlotte, NC.

6. Shana Advani ’93 and her husband, Ivan, and daughter Sydney with Aria at the Frozen show in San Francisco, Calif.

7. Suzanne Paragano Kane ’93, Aria and Jessica Mayer Herthel ’92.

8. Dr. Robyn Abeles Silverman ’92 and Suzanne Paragano Kane ’93.

9. Sarah Massey Zacharias ’93 and her kids Savannah and Naiyah with Aria at the Frozen show in San Francisco, Calif.

10. Suzanne Paragano Kane ’93 and Aria with Rob Hendrickson ’81, his wife, Kristin, and their daughters Katie and Lizzy at the Frozen show in Tempe, AZ.

11. Jessica Mayer Herthel ’92 (right), her husband, Jason, and daughters Sasha, Presley and Naomi with Aria at the Frozen show in Costa Mesa, CA.

S. DILLARD KIRBY ’77 INTRODUCES SPECIAL SCREENING OF HIS FILM AMERICAN RIVER

Newark Academy alumnus S. Dillard Kirby ’77 welcomed more than 1,300 people to a special screening of the film American River, for which he was executive producer, at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center on January 20, 2023.

The 86-minute documentary film, directed by seasoned filmmaker Scott Morris, follows the aquatic ecologist and writer Mary Bruno and her guide, Carl Alderson, on a four-day, 80-mile adventure down the Passaic River. The film also features former Newark Academy faculty members JoAnn and Tom Behr, who were longtime residents along the river and contributed their insights to the story.

“For me, the film’s connection to Newark Academy is very real,” Dillard says. “First, well upstream in Millington, we visit the now deceased Tom Behr months before he passed and his wife, JoAnn, in their riverside home built around the same time that NA was founded [in 1774]. Tom was an important part of my life while at NA, as my theater coach. Meanwhile, the Passaic River flows behind the current campus within several hundred yards and then finishes up about 60 miles later, after much meandering, and ends near the foot of the original campus in Newark. As NA has flowed for nearly 250 years at its banks, so has the Passaic River.” For more information about American River, visit www.americanriver.film.

WATCH! Scan

NA Connect!

Join our online networking community. Visit www.naalumni.com or scan the QR Code

at right.

DOME ISLAND: FOREVER WILD ON LAKE GEORGE

Noah Chirnomas ’22, Author

After three years of researching, interviewing and writing, Noah Chirnomas ’22 published the book Dome Island: Forever Wild on Lake George in July 2022. The book tells the fascinating story of the untouched 12-acre island on Lake George, formed from glaciers, and details conservationist John Apperson’s efforts to preserve the island from development.

“I want to thank Mr. Coe, Ms. Mahoney, Ms. Morgan and Ms. Speck for all of the time they spent reading my manuscriptand offering their advice,” Noah says. “I really appreciate all of their encouragement throughout this process. I’d also like to thank all of my Newark Academy teachers for supporting me over the years.”

Photo by Juan Giraldo.

PLANNED GIVING: Like Mother, Like Daughter

Marjorie “Margie” Jameson’s ’77 Newark Academy memories are vivid and ever-present in her home. Margie has saved and curated mementos from her NA school days, including those from her mother’s volunteer leadership as a member of the 200th anniversary committee. When Margie’s mother, Sandra Selfridge Lopus Harvey, passed away in January 2022, Margie sought an appropriate way to honor her legacy.

Enthusiastic about the prospect of serving in a leadership capacity for Newark Academy’s upcoming 250th anniversary, Margie stepped forward to make a $250,000 bequest to support our Endowed Fund for Teaching and Learning and the Newark Scholars Program. She also agreed to assume the role of chair of our planned giving 1774 Society and to work with the Office of Institutional Advancement to recruit others to the Society.

“I love Newark Academy — and so did my mother. Making this gift now allows me to support Newark Academy and simultaneously honor my mom’s legacy. I can’t wait to help with our 250th!”

If you are interested in exploring a bequest or other related planned gifts that can benefit both Newark Academy and you, please call or email Director of Advancement Services and Planned Giving Barbara Sine at (973) 992-7000, ext. 362, or bsine@newarka.edu.

newarka.giftplans.org