Newark Academy LUMEN – Fall 2021 by Newark Academy

F A L L 2 0 21

LUMEN THE

MAGAZINE

NEWARK

ACADEMY

THRIVING TOGETHER

FA L L 2 0 21

32 CONTENTS

F E AT U R E S

32 Thriving Together: The Rise of Resiliency, Empathy and Gratitude

37 3D Printing Takes Off at NA

IN THIS ISSUE

2 Perspectives

NA News

42 Alumni News

47 5 Over 50 Years

50 NEW! Campus View

52 Class Notes

VISIT NA on the web at www.newarka.edu LIKE NA on Facebook @newarkacademy FOLLOW NA on Twitter @newarkacademy FOLLOW NA on Instagram @newarkacademy FOLLOW NA on LinkedIn @newarkacademy

LUMEN

PERSPECTIVES

FA L L 2 0 21 Donald M. Austin Head of School

FROM DONALD M. AUSTIN, HEAD OF SCHOOL

Lou Scerra Senior Director of External Affairs and Strategy EDITORS

Renée Walker, Ed.D. Director of Communications and Marketing Julie Kayzerman Assistant Director of Communications and Marketing ASSISTANT EDITORS

David Beckman Lou Scerra CONTRIBUTORS

Sarah Fischer Sherrie Negrea Hannah Wyrzykowski BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Executive Committee Samuel W. Croll III ’68 Chairman Lawrence G. Cetrulo ’67 Secretary Patricia Budziak Marika Alzadon ’89 Lauren Hedvat ’01 Donald M. Austin Wayne D. Kent ’85 John H. Bess ’69 Robert Marcus

The Power of Community

Trustees Millwood Hobbs, Jr. Rohit Bawa ’93 Rebecca Moll-Freed ’94 Debra Caplan Andrew Kogan ’90 David Castelblanco Lisa Powers David Crall Valerie Radwaner Virany Ajay Dhankhar Michael Rockoff ’87 Robert Fink Melissa Tasse Anjali Gupta Dr. Kalenah Witcher ’87 Karen Guy-Smith Elizabeth Christou Woodall Kimberly Hobbs

Although Newark Academy managed to function well last

year during the worst days of the pandemic, the return of

Emeriti Louis V. Aronson II ’41 Nancy Baird Harwood ’75 Paul Busse ’38* K. Kelly Marx ’51 Robert Del Tufo ’51* John L. McGraw ’49 William D. Green ’69 Robert S. Puder ’38* William D. Hardin ’44* Gary Rose William T. Wachenfeld ’44

everyone to campus this fall has energized us all and brought

renewed appreciation for the importance of being together

every day. Morning meetings, gatherings of clubs, attendance at athletic contests, and broad participation in community

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD OF GOVERNORS

events have revitalized community life. At Convocation,

Rebecca Moll Freed ’94 President Amanda Addison ’06 Nicole Andrzejewski ’13 Michele Chiles-Hickman ’86 Asha Talwar Coco ’99 Daniel D. Cronheim ’72 Justin Garrod ’93 Kumar Ghafoor ’10 Susan Goldberg ’79 Peter Gruenberg ’81 Rasheea Williams Hall ’95 Jade-Addon Hall ’98 Shannon Hedvat ’03 Sydney Hershman ’11

the official ceremony marking the opening of the school year,

Allison Hyans ’11 Lauren Jacobs-Lazer ’98 Jordan Jett ’11 Katherine Johnson Panza ’11 Lauren Kaplan ’09 Steve Lozowick ’63 Kathleen Mangunay Pergament ’95 Ed Pursell ’02 Jed Rosenthal ’93 Lena Hill Ryals ’94 Alex Senchak ’02 Alexandra Swanson ’09 Pamela Helfant Vichengrad ’94

we were able to gather together for the first time as a full

community in the renovated Coraci Performance Hall, a full 16 months after construction had been completed. As teachers processed in their academic robes, students spontaneously

began clapping and stood, sustaining their applause until

the entire faculty made their way to their seats on the stage.

It was a powerful, unscripted affirmation of the connection

Emeriti Lance Aronson ’74 Leo Gordon ’69 J. Richard Beltram ’41* Jeffrey Silverman ’82 John H. Bess ’69 William Stroh ’48* Richard Watson ’50

between NA teachers and students. It seems appropriate,

then, that this fall’s issue of LUMEN is focused on our

community’s ability to thrive and adapt to changing times

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 *Deceased

and challenging circumstances.

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In this issue of LUMEN, you will read about the ways in which

our students have seized the opportunity presented by the

pandemic to become more empathetic and compassionate.

While growing in emotional intelligence during the past year,

NA students have embraced opportunities to forge greater

connections with their peers and step into leadership roles.

Finally, this fall marks an important milestone – the 50th

anniversary of Newark Academy’s return to coeducation.

In celebration of the readmission of female students at NA,

LUMEN interviewed five alumnae from the last five decades.

Each generously shared their NA experiences, giving us a snap-

shot of the past while also sharing how their NA education

You’ll also read more about nine students and recent alumni

shaped their personal journey. We also have another milestone

We were thrilled to welcome them back home and are grateful

founding will take place in 2024. You can read more about the

who returned to NA this past summer to work at the school. for their contributions to our summer program.

This issue of LUMEN also captures some of the ways we are

innovating in our classrooms. In both the Middle and Upper

Schools, NA students are engaging in experiential classes that familiarize them with emerging technologies and empower

them to connect what they learn in the classroom to broader

on the horizon. The 250th anniversary of Newark Academy’s

initial plans for the celebration of this extraordinary milestone

in this issue of the magazine.

There’s no shortage of reasons to celebrate this incredible

community. Wishing you and yours the best during this

holiday season.

society. From the design of sustainable cities on a 3D printer to greater civic engagement, these educational experiences are helping our students to grow and stretch their capabilities.

NEWARK ACADEMY

NA NEWS

Meet the Students and Alumni

Who Chose to Spend Summer Break

“E

Working at NA

Year after year, current students and alumni choose to immerse themselves

in the Newark Academy experience by spending their summer on campus working in various school offices and in the Academy’s summer programs.

veryone is always connected to Newark Academy

events, or aiding teachers in summer program classes, current

who worked as a teaching assistant this past

summer long.

and comes back,” says Jacqueline (Jax) Taylor ’20, summer in the Jump Start program.

Whether working with the maintenance crew, fixing computers in the Information Technology Office, restructuring admission

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students and young alumni help keep NA moving forward all

We caught up with a few of our summer workers to see how they helped NA, what they learned from the experience, and why they choose to come back each year:

Rahul Arora ’23 - Information Technology

Rahul considers NA his home away from home, so when he got the opportunity to return for the summer to work in the Information Technology Office, he gladly accepted.

“I just really like the faculty and the staff that work here,” he says. “I felt like I could come back, and it'd be a nice environment to stay in.”

Working in the Information Technology Office has taught Rahul about the structure of

the school and how several different departments operate. Throughout the summer, Rahul has learned how to diagnose computers, solve technology problems and obtain licenses for applications like Creative Cloud.

“It’s just like a second home,” he says. “You’re here for eight to 10 hours every single day during the school year. You see it evolve – and you want to take part in that.”

Sydney Fullilove ’20 - Admission and College Counseling

During Sydney’s time at NA, she made deep connections with administrators. So when she was considering what to do over the summer, reaching back out to the school was a no-brainer. Sydney worked in the Office of Admission and the College Counseling Office during the

summer, helping out on various projects including revamping the student ambassador pro-

gram, restructuring day visits, pitching updates to the College Counseling website and more. “Working in both offices has really helped me work on my time management and communication skills,” she says.

Sydney is currently a sophomore at the College of William & Mary studying psychology. She hopes to work at NA again during the next summer break.

“I really want to be able to give back to the Newark Academy community because it has done so much for me,” she says.

Jordan McCray-Robinson ’21 - Advancement

Jordan’s positive presence emanated throughout NA all summer long as she worked on various projects for the Advancement Office. During her time helping with mailings, inventory, office organization and more, she developed time management and self-discipline skills.

“This was a great opportunity,” she says. “Seeing how things work and getting some

experience has made me more well-rounded and better prepared for future internships.”

Jordan credits NA’s close-knit community for giving her this opportunity after graduation.

“I enjoy coming to NA,” she says. “It kind of doesn’t feel like a job sometimes when I’m there.” Currently a freshman at Fordham University, Jordan studies journalism and is a member of the track and field team.

(Continued on page 6)

NEWARK ACADEMY

NA NEWS (Continued from page 5)

Christopher “Chris” Mulligan ’21 - Operations

Chris has returned to NA each summer for the past three years in order to work with the school’s maintenance team and see the familiar faces of faculty and staff. He enjoys knowing that he is a “welcomed member of the NA staff.”

Chris’s summer work included directing traffic during NA’s Summer Programs, landscaping, moving building items, and cleaning the campus grounds. This experience has reaffirmed Chris’s interest in doing hands-on work that allows him to stay active as opposed to remaining solely in an office environment.

Chris is currently taking a semester break before pursuing advanced studies and beginning his career path. Over the past few months, Chris has helped set up large events, including Convocation and Homecoming.

“When I come back and help, it gives me a sense of purpose and a feeling of satisfaction,” Chris says. “I’ve learned how to be more responsible, manage money, and to grow up some more.”

William “Will” Mulligan ’19 - Operations

In his fourth summer working with the maintenance crew at Newark Academy, Will has become a jack of all trades – moving and building furniture, directing traffic, mowing

lawns, whacking weeds and more – helping the Academy operate to its highest potential. Will says he has developed valuable communication and teamwork skills that will benefit

him in the future. “Engaging with different people, talking to adults and helping the kids in the Summer Program – those skills will help in whatever I do,” he says.

Will is currently a junior at Franklin & Marshall College, where he studies business and plays lacrosse. While he hopes to secure an internship for next summer, he knows NA will always

be his home away from home. “I know if I need to, I can come back and work here and would be welcomed with open arms,” he says.

Milanis Rivas ’22 - Jump Start Teaching Assistant

Milanis has been coming back to NA each summer since her freshman year. As a teacher’s

aide for a first-grade class in the Jump Start program, she has experienced what it’s like to run a classroom, how to communicate with parents, and how to be patient with children.

This summer job solidified Milanis’s desire to pursue a career in teaching. “This past summer really decided it for me,” she says. “I really feel like I’m in my element.”

Milanis has continued to return to NA during her summer breaks because she loves the diverse environment and the opportunity to work with kids. “I think that what makes

Newark Academy so special is the diversity that it has,” she says. “Additionally, NA is truly a different place during the summertime, and I love to help the first graders transition into second grade. This is great practice for my future career path.”

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Parth Sarkar ’21 - Summer Programs Teaching Assistant

Parth first stumbled upon the idea to return to NA this past summer from his sister Soyi

Sarkar ’17, who did the same back in 2017. “I thought that taking on the role of a teaching

assistant would be an insightful experience,” he says, “especially because I am considering becoming a teacher myself.”

Parth was also inspired to spend his summer at NA by the people who make up the

community. “Both the faculty and students are some of the most thoughtful, warm and

hardworking people that I have met so far, and that was what motivated me to apply for a position at NA this past summer,” he says.

Parth is currently a freshman at Cornell University majoring in computer science and math. As a teaching assistant in pre-algebra, algebra, precalculus and calculus summer session

classes, he was able to gain a better understanding of the qualities needed to make a great teacher – such as patience, kindness, passion and, oftentimes, a little wit.

“Being able to teach eventful classes together with passionate teachers was a really fulfilling experience,” he says.

Clifton “Zach” Strain ’22 - Communications and Marketing

Zach spent his summer at NA working in the Communications and Marketing Office,

organizing photo archives and digitizing LUMEN articles. This experience, he says, was

eye-opening and interesting, as he was able to get a behind-the-scenes perspective of how the school’s communications efforts are managed.

The faculty at NA played a major role in Zach’s decision to return to school during his

summer off. “They’re super welcoming and you build such extremely strong relationships during the year that you’d definitely be willing to spend the summer with them as well,”

he says. “I definitely see my connection to NA remaining throughout college and beyond.”

Jacqueline “Jax” Taylor ’20 - Jump Start Teaching Assistant

Jax spent this past summer – her third working at NA – as a teaching assistant in the Jump Start program. Currently in her sophomore year studying psychology at the University of

Dayton, she says that her experience working with Jump Start has inspired her to consider a career in teaching.

“I’ve always known that I wanted to work with kids in some outlet,” Jax says. “I was definitely using this past summer to get a feel for teaching. Now I just have to figure out which path I want to take.”

Because Jax graduated from NA in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, her “goodbye” from the school was a little different from that of other departing seniors. As a result,

coming back over the summer was a great way to gain additional closure. “I really wanted

to come back because I love the people. I love the school itself. I love being here,” she says. “You’re never going to find a community like this anywhere else.

NEWARK ACADEMY

NA NEWS

CONVOCATION

Kicks Off the 2021–22 Academic Year

For the first time in over a year, Newark Academy brought together students, faculty, staff and representatives of our alumni and Student Council in person on September 9 to kick off the

2021–22 school year with our annual Convocation. During the celebratory ceremony, the NA

community gathered in Coraci Performance Hall to hear the annual Convocation address and to recognize long-serving faculty.

Keynote Speaker Joanna Saltz ’93

“As we begin the year, let’s all make it

to manage the evolving COVID-19

personal obligations... because it really

a priority to take care of one another,”

situation.”

would be a shame to waste that small

said Head of School Donald M. Austin in his welcoming remarks. “We need each other’s friendship and support. I ask you all to welcome new students and teachers, to honor our Community Commitments for Belonging, and to be patient and flexible as we continue

Student Council President Stella Gilbert ’22 called on her peers to uphold

bit of overlap that we have together on this timeline,” Stella said.

Newark Academy’s ingrained culture of

Dean of Faculty Traci Osterhagen

excellence and community through

Brock recognized milestone awards

positive actions. “Sit with a new kid

for long-serving faculty: Jack Bender,

in class, make a connection with a

Andrea Lankin, Jessica Rice and Abigail

security guard, look beyond your

Taylor received awards for five years of service; Sarah Fischer, Rachael Reeves,

‘‘ 8

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Megan Rezvani, Robert Rezvani and

What will define you is how you learn to embrace and foster those things that you feel passionate about... And they can be life-changing if you allow them to be.” – Joanna Saltz ’93

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Andrew Ryan received awards for 10 years. Dean of Students Pegeen Galvin-Scott was honored for her 40 years of service to Newark Academy. Don Austin praised

Pegeen for her enormous impact on the NA culture, including her instrumental role in creating a vibrant and joyful school community. “We are so grateful for all you have done for us, for your kindness, for your energy and for your wisdom,” he said.

Faculty MILESTONES

At Convocation, the following faculty were recognized for longevity milestones.

Joanna Saltz ’93, editorial director of Delish and House Beautiful, was the keynote speaker. Joanna recalled fond memories of her time as an NA student, including her years studying the viola, which earned her a music performance scholarship at The College of New Jersey. Despite her success as a musician, Joanna ultimately chose to pursue her true passion for writing, subsequently holding editorial positions at The Knot, Seventeen Magazine and Food Network Magazine. As editorial director of Delish, the fastest-growing digital food initiative, and House Beautiful, America’s oldest home design media brand, Joanna encouraged students to follow their passions and focus on happiness rather than greatness.

“Over the next few months, years or maybe weeks, you will be faced with these monster decisions – what courses you take, what teams you play for, where you go to college – decisions that will feel monumental,” Joanna said. “But those choices won’t define who you are. What will define you is how you learn to embrace and foster those things that you feel passionate about. So keep your eyes out. Those bright spots, those little beacons may seem small and meaningless, maybe trivial, but they’re there. And they can be life-changing if you allow them to be.”

A. 5 YEARS: Jack Bender, Andrea Lankin, Jessica Rice, Abigail Taylor

B. 10 YEARS: Andrew Ryan, Sarah Fischer, Megan Rezvani, Robert Rezvani. (Not pictured, Rachael Reeves). C. 40 YEARS: Dean of Students Pegeen Galvin

NEWARK ACADEMY

NA NEWS

250 YEARS: C E L E B R AT I N G , T H R I V I N G A N D I N S P I R I N G

FOR NEARLY 250 YEARS, Newark Academy has contributed to the world engaged individuals instilled with a passion for learning, a standard of excellence, and a generosity of spirit. As the Academy approaches the 250th anniversary of its founding in 1774, a series of events and programs for the entire NA community will commemorate its storied history and anticipate its exciting future.

o prepare for this extraordinary milestone, a 250th

of School Donald M. Austin and the Board of Trustees,

Anniversary Steering Committee composed of nearly

in partnership with additional volunteers.

a dozen representatives from across the school com-

munity – students, parents, alumni, administrators, faculty, staff, and current and past members of the Board of Trustees – will provide strategic direction and oversight of the upcoming celebrations. The Committee will work closely with Head

In the months ahead, the Steering Committee will engage the rest of the NA community in creating plans for the 250th anniversary. The Committee will also participate in the planning activities and provide feedback on the process, themes, events, and communications, leading up to and through NA’s anniversary year.

250th Anniversary Steering Committee Leo M. Gordon ’69 – Chair

Nancy Baird Harwood ’75

parents, administrators, faculty, staff and friends have expe-

Lisa Powers – Vice Chair and Board of Trustees Representative

Benson Hawk – NA Faculty Member

rienced the unique and lasting impact of a Newark Academy

Elaine Brodie – NA Faculty Member

Von Rollenhagen – Former Dean of Faculty; NA Faculty Member

my closest friends at NA and look forward to seeing the entire

Garrett Caldwell – NA Faculty Member Bernard J. (Bud) D’Avella ’62 Mae Hacking – NAPA Representative

“We are proud that many generations of students, alumni,

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Professor Adrien K. Wing ’74 Student representatives from the Class of 2024

education,” Leo M. Gordon ’69 says. “I have made some of community come together during this historic, impactful, and joyous celebration.” 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.

Letter from Kimberly Hobbs President, Newark Academy Parents Association

hen my younger son graduated from fifth grade, I told myself I would retire from the world of school-parent volunteering. Even though I had done such work for so long,

I never really saw myself as the school volunteer “type.” So at Newark Academy, I decided I would be the parent who sat in the back at events and just waved politely to the NA Parents Association (NAPA). I did this for a while until I met then-NAPA President Mae Hacking and Vice President Robin Eichler. After spending time with both, I realized how much I actually missed volunteering. Not only does it keep me connected to the school, but I also get to work with talented and amazing people like Mae and Robin. Volunteering has also helped me grow as a person by stretching me to do things completely out of my comfort zone. So after meeting these two

women and reflecting on my past work, I realized getting involved had been one of the most rewarding experiences of my adult life, and I enthusiastically said “Yes!” to NAPA. Professional tennis player Arthur Ashe once said, “Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” I think this can be the volunteer mantra for getting involved with NAPA, which is one of the most flexible and inclusive parent organizations. Here, every voice, every experience and every opinion matters. This is not a one-size-fits-all organization! It’s a no pressure zone that matches skills with interests. Gone are the days when people would use the excuses: “I don’t have the time to volunteer,” “NAPA is just for stay-at-home parents,” or “I won’t be able to relate to anyone.” Now, all meetings are accessible on Zoom and NAPA will work within your time constraints; almost half of this year’s board are parents who work outside the home; and the NAPA Executive Board is made up of people from diverse ethnic, religious and socioeconomic backgrounds. So while I enjoyed writing this letter from the bottom of my heart, I need your help. Newark Academy is great because of parents like you and can be greater with your continued support. We would love your participation! If you are interested in volunteering and getting involved with NAPA, please reach out to us at napavolunteers@newarka.edu.

NEWARK ACADEMY

NA NEWS

REFLECTION ON

Your NA Experience: Donald M. Austin, Head of School As Newark Academy prepares to celebrate the school’s 250th anniversary, LUMEN invited Head of School Donald M. Austin to reflect on his leadership, memories, and vision for the school’s future.

Before taking on the role as Newark Academy’s Head of School, you served as resident director of School Year Abroad (SYA) in Rennes, France, from 2000 to 2007. Were you able to travel much while working there? Did living abroad change you in any way? When we were living in France, we traveled extensively within the country. Each year we led SYA students on trips to the Loire Valley, Brittany, Paris, Provence and Normandy that totaled 22 days per year, and almost all of the travel was by bus, allowing us to discover the geographic and cultural diversity of this singularly beautiful country. In addition, we traveled as a family to Spain, Italy and England, as well as many other parts of France, including the Alps, the Pyrenees, Lyon and the Perigord. Since I began my career in education as a French teacher, I have always loved French language, culture and history, so it was especially meaningful for me that our sons had the opportunity to spend formative years in France. They went to the local public school and returned to America more French than American. Being bilingual and bicultural has shaped who they are.

From left to right: Evan Caplan ’25, Donald M. Austin, Marina Chernin ’23 and Ella Chang ’23.

in another culture. This is one of the reasons why I believe that our students can only benefit from NA’s required Immersion Experience.

We are all, as a family, devout believers in the value of our

As you look back on the last 15 years as Newark

having lived abroad; there is no better way to understand

Academy’s Head of School, what have been your

the world in which we live than to spend time immersed

proudest accomplishments?

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I take the greatest pride in the accomplishments of our students and faculty and in the enormous impact of the education we provide. But I am also proud of Newark Academy’s never-ending efforts to serve its students better: by instituting immersion programs, June Term and the Capstone Experience; by the growth and success of the International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma program; and by the steps we have taken to become a more diverse and inclusive community. The building projects and various renovations of the campus have also directly elevated the quality of what we can provide to students and teachers, and the generous support of hundreds of parents, alumni, board members and friends has been an affirmation of the strength of the entire Newark Academy community. How has NA changed or remained the same since you were

Donald M. Austin (fourth from left) gathers with his family.

From left, Charlie ’15; Ben ’12; Don’s wife, Kiki; Don; and George ’15.

first appointed Head of School in 2007?

welcome change is that students are spending more time

The core values of Newark Academy and its distinctive

outdoors and taking advantage of our beautiful grounds.

strengths are in many ways unchanged. We still have, of course, wonderful students who are curious, smart, engaged and adventurous, and our faculty and staff are similarly talented and devoted. It’s the quality of both the students and the faculty that make Newark Academy a stimulating, exciting place to learn. As a school community, we still value traditions like morning meetings, IB presentations, student performances, Spirit Week, big games, and

We have become much more committed and intentional about diversity, equity and inclusion, and we have made significant changes to policies and procedures to ensure that everyone feels that they belong. Many of these calls for change have come from students and alumni who have helped faculty identify ways to make our school more inclusive of differences and more aware of hidden biases.

the joy of day-to-day learning and laughing together.

Building a truly inclusive school culture is a major priority.

At the same time, there have definitely been changes

Personal Insights

that I would describe as cultural. Students feel more pressure from various sources: social media, the competitiveness of admission to the most selective schools, and the divisiveness that touches many parts of our society.

What are the activities you enjoy outside of your role as Head of School?

Recognizing these challenges, NA teachers continue to

I participate in various sports and generally enjoy being

take an active role in helping students to find balance and

physically active outdoors. I hike in the South Mountain

joy as they learn. Since the pandemic, we are starting the

Reservation, play tennis, log many miles on my bicycle,

school day a bit later and have lengthened passing time

and garden in the warmer months. I also began playing

between classes to make the day less frenetic. Another

platform tennis last winter with an enthusiasm that my (Continued on page 14)

‘‘

NEWARK ACADEMY

NA NEWS

(Continued from page 13)

Probably our most valued family ritual, even when it is just my wife and me, is eating dinner together at home. My wife is an excellent cook, and I am an appreciative gourmand. Your sons Ben ’12, George ’15 and Charlie ’15 are all proud NA alumni. As a past NA parent, can you explain why you chose Newark Academy for their education? We chose NA for our sons for many of the same reasons that motivated me to come here in 2007 and that are still hallmarks of Newark Academy: the outstanding academics, the international orientation of the community and the curriculum, the talented and diverse student body, and an ethos that is welcoming, engaging and joyful. They all have been well served by the education they had and the friendships they made here. How did your experiences as an NA parent inform your role as Head of School? As a parent, you see the school experience through the eyes of your children, their friends and their friends’ parents. Those perspectives frequently provide insights

wife would describe as obsessional. It was a great way to be outdoors exercising and socializing safely during the dark days of the pandemic. Every summer, I spend time in Maine, tending to our leaky old wooden sailboat and

that you might not otherwise notice as quickly. Like every parent, I learned a lot by listening to my boys talk with each other and with friends as I drove them around to games and activities.

enjoying the small-town feel of a New England coastal village that I have visited nearly every summer of my life. Apart from work, what daily rituals shape your personal life? During the pandemic, I began taking a long daily walk after work, both for exercise and to get out of the house. While phone or computer work dominates most of my time indoors, weekends included, I often do a crossword puzzle, and I occasionally watch sports or other television programs, particularly those in French (I recommend the series A French Village). My tastes in reading have shifted over the past years from fiction to biographies and history, although I will always read anything written by Marilynne Robinson and am a longtime fan of Richard Ford.

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Mr. Austin chats with Ian Bell ’23 (left) and Sobia Reid ’23 (right).

Powers are leading the 250th Anniversary Committee, which is already making plans for 2024. Looking to the future, we must take steps to ensure that Newark Academy continues to prepare its students for lives of meaning and consequence in the second half of the 21st century. Some of the priorities I am exploring with the Board of Trustees include enhancing access and affordability to ensure that Newark Academy continues to show leadership in creating a diverse school community, one where everyone feels that they belong. Another goal is recommitting to innovative teaching and programs. We have a very strong academic foundation, with excellent courses, a comprehensive IB diploma program, and wonderful experiential components like the Capstone and Immersion opportunities. Yet we have to constantly ask ourselves what new skills will students need in the future, and how are we teaching those skills in ways that are engaging and creative? Mr. Austin enjoys the fall weather with Zachary Pavlounis ’23 (left) and Ella Chang ’23 (right).

The Path Ahead Newark Academy began the 2021 - 2022 school year with the resumption of many events and activities that are hallmarks of the NA experience. Which of those events do you look forward to the most each year? We began the school year recapturing some of the dayto-day joy and spontaneity of community life, including

Such innovation requires professional development that can inspire more experimentation in teaching methods and allow more data and technology to be deployed in the

‘‘

What will not change is Newark Academy’s dedication to a vibrant and joyful school community committed to learning, to serving others, to strong personal connections, and to a range of healthy activities outside of the classroom.” – Donald M. Austin

the resumption of morning meetings. We were all more than ready for those unscripted moments that make everyone laugh or an unexpected student performance that uplifts everyone’s spirits. I always look forward to those moments, and I am happy that the NA community has been able to come together again for Homecoming, athletic games and arts performances. Once the masks come off, seeing the smiling faces of our students and teachers will be wonderful.

classroom. Given how rapidly knowledge and technology are evolving in so many realms, it follows that core academic foundations should be adjusted. But the answer can’t be just more content; students don’t have an infinite amount of time and energy in which to attend classes and do their homework. And so we have to carefully determine the best use of their time and what we ask them to do

Newark Academy is approaching the 250th anniversary of the school’s founding in 1774. What is your vision for the future of Newark Academy?

during the school day. What will not change is Newark Academy’s dedication to a vibrant and joyful school community committed to

The 250th is an amazing milestone to celebrate and a

learning, to serving others, to strong personal connec-

unique opportunity to chart an ambitious vision for the

tions, and to a range of healthy activities outside of

future. NA alumnus Leo Gordon ’69 and Trustee Lisa

the classroom.

NEWARK ACADEMY

NA NEWS

ARTS

TRANSFORMING STUDENTS THROUGH THE ARTS By Sherrie Negrea

It’s widely known that the Newark Academy Arts program builds students’ skills as musicians, dancers, actors and visual artists. But the magic of the arts program goes much deeper than developing talents – it provides a close-knit community and creative outlets, including more than 20 performing ensembles.

NA Arts programs are purposefully

special and integral part of why we

with Middle School students required

says Viraj Lal, who became Arts

embedded in the academic curriculum, to take a course in each of the arts

before selecting at least one to focus

on in their Upper School coursework. Arts Department Chair Viraj Lal

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“The fact that our school, especially in the Middle School, makes arts a

compulsory part of education is a really

have such a strong arts program,” Department chair this year.

Evan Bulan ’23 credits the program

with helping him discover his passion

for singing, even though he started out playing piano in the band during sixth

grade. A year later, after taking a choral

At left, Evan Bulan ’23 and below, Meredith Janey ’22.

class, Evan found himself singing

“So having the opportunity

with the Junior Academy Voices;

to have a class period at NA

Academy Voices and LumeNAtion and

requirement, for me was an

he eventually joined Concert Choir,

has performed in several NA musicals. Last summer, Evan spent two weeks

at the Boston Conservatory at Berklee Vocal/Choral Intensive program. He

says his acceptance into the program

would not have been possible without

the personal growth he experienced in the NA Arts program.

“The only reason I actually felt like doing this summer program for

singing, or auditioning in the first

place, was because the NA Arts community gave me such a nice sense

of community and belonging that

I haven’t really had before in other programs,” Evan says.

Meredith Janey ’22, played the flute in sixth grade but also soon discovered that she loved singing. After joining

three choral groups and performing in

several plays and musicals, she became the assistant director of the Middle School play last year.

“Even before coming to NA, I always grew up with the arts being a part of my life,” Meredith says.

dedicated to that, and even a amazing thing.”

Taking an arts class during a typical jam-packed day is

always something Meredith looks forward to. “It really

provides me an outlet in what

are sometimes stressful days,

for just fun and peace and just some-

thing that I know is going to make me smile every day,” she says.

After a year in which after-school

ensembles were forced to rehearse

outdoors during the COVID-19 pandemic, students this semester have

been preparing for dramatic, musical and dance performances in the

state-of-the art, 700-seat Coraci

Performance Hall, which reopened

in July 2020 after a major expansion and renovation.

“I’m so excited to just feel the energy

of an audience again,” Meredith says. “Just knowing that there are other

people there supporting you, laughing at your jokes and applauding when

they haven’t seen something for the 16th time – I’m really, really excited for that.”

Now at the helm of the Arts

Department, Viraj, who is also the choral director, says he wants to

not only maintain the quality of the

program but also move it to an even higher level of artistry.

“What I’m most excited about is simply just guiding the artistic vision for my team as colleagues and leading our

department to reach new heights,” he

says. “I think that our Arts Department is going to have a new lens on it, coming out of a pandemic year. There’s

something exciting about being at the helm of a department whose purpose and mission is to bridge and bring back community.”

NEWARK ACADEMY

NA NEWS

ATHLETICS

TRANSFORMING

the NA Athletics Experience By Hannah Wyrzykowski

Over the past year, the NA Athletics Department has focused on identifying

what it means to be a great athletic program and what athletic excellence looks

like at Newark Academy. Following a year-long study, the Athletics Department formalized a plan focusing on the student-athlete experience, which emerged as the central theme in that process.

“This is the opportunity for NA Athletics to transform the student-athlete experience in pursuit of athletic excellence. We are working with a blank slate and, in many ways, can hit the reset button and redefine what NA Athletics means,” says Director of Athletics John Amosa. Some of the areas of focus that have emerged from the year-long study include:

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Quality Coaching A top priority of NA Athletics is to ensure that we hire and retain an excellent coaching staff who can support the growth and development of all of our student-athletes. In addition to identifying high-quality coaches, there will be a renewed focus on character development for the individual student-athlete and professional development for coaches at all levels.

NA Director of Athletics, John Amosa

Enhancing the Student-Athlete Experience New leadership programming will be created to develop the leadership skills of student-athletes in an effort to set a long-standing culture of teamwork, passion, commitment, discipline and determination. In addition, NA Athletics will continue finding new ways to celebrate student-athlete

achievements that recognize not only athletic prowess, but character on and off the field. Role of Middle School Athletics Newark Academy led the creation of the Middle School Athletic Conference, a league that will help facilitate a more organized program for Middle School student-athletes, including a postseason. Middle School coaches will also engage in professional development and training, while also communicating with their Upper School colleagues about program values and philosophy. Atlantic Health Partnership Atlantic Sports Health is the official sports medicine provider of Newark Academy. In addition to having access to all the medical services available within Atlantic Health System, NA’s students and athletes are provided with access to a team and school physician, campus injury clinic and sports physical exams. Upgraded Technologies The implementation of several new technologies is already bringing NA Athletics to the next level. The Hudl software program is a one-stop shop for coaches and teams to get game-

changing insights for strategizing, including game stats and reports that link directly to video. The recent launch of a Minutemen website allows the NA community to stay up to date on all things athletics, including game schedules, links to watch games live, team stats and news. You can view the website at www.naminutemenathletics.com. In conjunction with the website, NA Athletics launched a mobile app where users can be informed of game results, check halftime scores, connect to live

cameras in play areas, access news and team information and more. “We’re reinvigorating NA athletics so that students who love sports can have a place to be successful,” John says. “They’re already successful in the classroom, now we want them to be even more successful in their athletic pursuits — and we’re committed to providing the opportunities necessary to accomplish that.”

SOCIALLY SAVVY

Social media has played a big role in keeping people informed about games, practices, athletic highlights, awards and so much more. Athlete of the Month: Each month, coaches nominate student-athletes who are highlighted and celebrated on social media.

Instagram Takeovers: Instagram has been the most successful tool to encourage peer support. Teams with the most followers can do an “Instagram

takeover” to showcase their camaraderie and accomplishments, making student-athletes feel part of the larger community.

Livestreaming the Game of the Week: Each week, one team’s game is selected as the Game of the Week and livestreamed on NA’s YouTube channel and

the National Federation of High School Network, making NA Athletics more accessible to fans who cannot attend live games.

Stay Connected with the Minutemen Twitter: @NA_Minutemen Instagram: @NA_Minutemen Facebook: @NAMinutemen YouTube: @NewarkAcademy

NEWARK ACADEMY

NA NEWS

ATHLETICS

FENCING FORWARD:

Minutemen Come Together to Reach New Heights

In just three years at the helm of Newark Academy fencing, head coach Dan Bailey-Yavonditte has already led the

Minutemen to historic success. But Dan knows that developing a successful team is only half of his job. The other – and

arguably more important – half is to equip his student-athletes with life skills that allow them to thrive outside the sport.

The 2019 – 20 season was a legendary one for the boys’ team, as Dan led the Minutemen to a triple crown of New Jersey high school fencing: winning the District 3, Prep B and New Jersey Interscholastic Fencing Association Championships. “Coach B-Y,” as the fencers affectionately call him, was then

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named High School Coach of the Year by both the New Jersey Interscholastic Fencing Association and USA Fencing. While the national recognition was an incredible achievement, it was made even more special because Dan was nominated by his own team. “To have my students put that forward is a huge thing,” he says. “That means a lot to me.” It is no surprise that Dan’s studentathletes nominated him for the award, as they credit him for creating a vibrant and secure team environment. “In fencing,

My goal is to develop students that have a passion for the sport, that are lifelong learners, lifelong athletes, and that want to support each other in being the best people that they can be.”

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– DAN BAILEY-YAVONDITTE

Head Coach Dan Bailey-Yavonditte

All photos by Kimberly Craven Photography

“My goal is to develop students that have a passion for the sport, that are lifelong learners, lifelong athletes, and that want to support each other in being the best people that they can be,” Dan says.

having a community like this is such an important thing because they help you, cheer you on and bring you up from losses,” Sobia Reid ’23 says. Dan feels that creating that team atmosphere is beneficial not only for improving students’ ability to analyze the other team

and find their weaknesses, but also for helping them build life skills to succeed as individuals in the larger world. “A lot of people out in the world are looking for someone who can work hard on their own but also work well in a group,” Dan says. “High school fencing is a great experience to develop those qualities, and I want those to be some of the top qualities we have in some of our fencers.” For the upcoming 2021 – 22 season, Dan envisions continuing to grow a culture within the program that is passionate and uplifting. While he fully expects the boys’ team to remain dominant, he is most excited about the opportunity to field a full girls’ program for the first time in over four years – and he foresees the team upsetting some of its top competitors. “I think the growth stems from the girls that are part of the team [already],” Dan says. “A lot of our female fencers really led the team to building

‘‘

In fencing, having a community like this is such an important thing because they help you, cheer you on and bring you up from losses.”

a social component when we weren’t together. The quality of the athletes that are in the program, that’s drawing people there.” The success of the Minuteman fencing program is due in part to the physical renovations

– SOBIA REID ’23

and technological upgrades to the Cetrulo Family Fencing Center, which was completed during the winter of 2019. The upgrades, funded by donations from the Cetrulo family, including NA Trustee Lawrence G. Cetrulo ’67, made the facility one of the finest

NATIONALLY NOTABLE

Although the COVID-19 pandemic changed the 2020 - 21 fencing season’s trajectory, the Minutemen were still able to compete in a limited capacity and saw several individual accolades. On the boys’ side, Konrad Czyzewski ’22 placed second in sabre at the New Jersey State High School Individual Championships, where Michael Pyo ’22 boasted a fifth-place finish in foil. In epee, Torata Mishima ’23 and JJ Whitehurst ’22 tied for third.

Konrad was also part of the first-place foursome who won the 2021 Summer Nationals Senior Team Men’s Sabre event. During the 2019 - 2020 season, both Konrad and Michael were named USA Fencing All-Americans. At the 2021 Summer Nationals, members from the girls’ team represented NA with excellent individual showings. Jenna Shoman ’24 took third in Junior Women’s Sabre and ninth in Cadet Women’s Sabre.

fencing centers in the United States. New specialized flooring and five state-of-the-art strips for electronic scoring top the list of improvements within the center. “It’s more than any high school fencer could ask for – and I would say even more than many college fencers could ask for,” Konrad Czyzewski ’22 says. “We were very grateful to have this facility.” Director of Athletics John Amosa noted that Dan’s work to build a sustainable culture in the fencing program is grounded in NA’s pursuit of excellence in athletics and beyond. “We are really inspired to see what’s transpired over the past two years and are excited about what’s to come,” John says. “Both our boys’ and girls’ programs are on the rise, and the future of NA fencing is bright.”

NEWARK ACADEMY

NA NEWS

EQUITY AND INCLUSION

MEET ROCHELLE EDWARDS

NA’s New Director of Equity and Inclusion

Rochelle Edwards shares her journey to Newark Academy and why global awareness and multicultural intelligence should be present in all aspects of an NA education.

Newark Academy’s new Director of Equity and Inclusion

law students of color, and participated as an active

Rochelle Edwards never planned to pursue a career as a

member of the Association of Black Women Lawyers.

diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) professional. Even so,

Rather than take on DEI work as a full-time professional,

Rochelle has long been actively involved in equity and

though, Rochelle pursued her career in law, working with

inclusion efforts: she worked in the Office of Multicultural

big corporations on labor and employment issues.

Affairs as an undergraduate at Rice University, mentored

DIVERSITY EQUITY INCLUSION

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But when Rochelle realized that law just wasn’t feeding her soul and didn’t fit her extroverted and outgoing personality, she decided to go back to graduate school for a Ph.D. in history to begin a career as an educator. Even then, she didn’t envision DEI work as her primary focus. “I really tried to stay away from doing DEI work because

‘‘

I love building relationships with young people because I think this is the most important part of their development right now. It’s part of why I became an educator.”

I wanted people to see the value in the other work that I

– ROCHELLE EDWARDS

could do around scholarship, curriculum development and faculty professional development,” Rochelle says. “I didn’t want to be pigeonholed into doing work that

positive change and decided it was time to take on DEI

I thought people were just going to ask me to do because

roles in a greater capacity.

of the way that I looked.”

In her new post, Rochelle aims to ensure that the respon-

Now, after three years at Newark Academy in her roles as a

sibility of diversifying the curriculum is not solely that of

humanities teacher, chair of the Humanities Department,

the humanities or English departments, believing that

and Upper School Equity and Inclusion Coordinator,

global awareness and multicultural intelligence should be

Rochelle will take on her biggest opportunity at NA yet

present in all aspects of an NA education.

as Director of Equity and Inclusion.

“I think it’s the responsibility of every department in

While Rochelle had initially been hesitant to pursue DEI

the building to make sure their teachers are culturally

professionally, that all changed when she began having

competent and that they incorporate diverse voices into

conversations with students of color and learning what

their curricula,” she says.

challenges they were facing. After the murder of George Floyd galvanized the nationwide Black Lives Matter movement, Rochelle knew she had the skill set to bring about

While Rochelle has many goals and visions for DEI work at Newark Academy, her immediate priorities are to rework programming in a way that is more student-centered and student-run.

Rochelle’s Tips for Navigating Difficult Conversations

1. Before engaging in the conversation, recognize

your own power and privilege and acknowledge your ignorance.

2. Be authentic! Don’t be afraid to get it wrong and don’t let fear stop you from trying.

3. Listen as much as you talk, and ask good questions that foster dialogue rather than debate.

4. Never let your viewpoints deny others the right to define their own social identities, invalidate their feelings or minimize their humanity.

5. Understand and accept that closure might not be possible and that maintaining civility is critical. Be prepared to walk away if necessary.

“I would love for students to take ownership of some of our programming because I think they have a better handle of how they can connect with their classmates than the adults can,” she says. In terms of supporting faculty and staff, Rochelle wants to provide a more hands-on approach. She aims to do this by reframing professional development to give faculty members time to rewrite and work on their curricula with a DEI lens, as opposed to the traditional format of bringing in consultants for lectures. Above all, Rochelle is excited about the opportunity to build relationships with students, such as hosting “diversi-teas,” where students can walk into her office, sip some tea and have open conversations in a safe space. “I love building relationships with young people because I think this is the most important part of their development right now,” Rochelle says. “It’s part of why I became an educator.”

NEWARK ACADEMY

NA NEWS

COMMUNITY SERVICE

SERVICE LEARNING

Connecting the Curriculum to World Issues

Watch Director of Community Service Sarah Fischer’s interview with NA service partner, The Apostles’ House.

By Sarah Fischer, Director of Community Service

Newark Academy provides many opportunities for students to put their academic learning into practice, as seen through programs like the Immersion Experience and Senior Projects. Recently, NA faculty have incorporated a number of

new classroom service learning experiences and community service partnerships designed to enhance student mastery of NA’s “Six Cs”: critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, communication, character, and cultural competency. Service learning provides opportunities

profit organization Heart of Dinner, which

change in the world. Kaitlyn led class

classroom to societal issues through proj-

in New York City’s East Asian population.

anti-Asian violence in the wake of the pan-

to connect what students learn in the

ect-based learning. What is unique about

service learning at NA is its organic development; student interest has grown as students push for a deeper connection

between their academics and the social justice challenges facing our world.

For one of the new initiatives, Kaitlyn Chee ’22 spearheaded a partnership between NA teacher Shun-Yao Chang’s Upper

School Mandarin classes and the non-

provides meals to food-insecure families Students in Shun-Yao’s classes wrote

uplifting cards in Mandarin to include

with each meal, helping elders who were isolated during the COVID-19 pandemic feel less alone and more connected.

Kaitlyn also co-taught several of Shun-

Yao’s classes during NA’s annual Month of

Action, which promotes diverse dialogues about civic engagement and offers ways for all students to take action and create

discussions about the impact of rising

demic, allowing students in Mandarin 2 to practice their communication skills while exploring a pressing issue in the world.

Also in the NA Languages Department, Spanish teacher Patty Pascal has partnered for the past three years with the

First Friends of New Jersey and New York’s

Stamp Out Despair initiative, which serves detainees in New Jersey’s three U.S.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement

detention facilities. The program provides packages of stationery and other writing

supplies to detainees for communication with family and friends. Along with the

supplies come short cards of encouragement, letting the recipients know they

are not alone. Since many detainees speak Spanish, Patty incorporates the card writ-

ing into lessons that examine immigration and its impact on Latinx communities.

The Stamp Out Despair partnership allows students to directly engage with a topic of study, while enhancing their Spanish composition skills.

Last year, Patty deepened the service

learning experience by partnering with NA’s Mi Casa Club during the Month of

Action. She invited club members to lead

class discussions about issues confronting the Latinx community, introducing the

Stamp Out Despair project as an opportunity for student action. Students in Sandy Palmer’s science class learn about sustainability through service learning projects.

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Science teacher Sandy Palmer spearheaded one of the most exciting new service learn-

ing opportunities, challenging her students

Sandy now plans to expand the project,

about biomes, animal and plant life, and

students continue to work on it through-

to put into action what they had learned

sustainability. Through collaboration and creative thinking, students identified a

community need, deeply researched the

topic, and then planned and implemented a solution. The resulting student projects ranged from building gardens based on

indigenous farming methods to installing pollinator gardens.

During the activity, Krisha Chhabra ’26

learned to plant and maintain vegetable

and flower beds. “The project also helped

me learn that giving and helping the community will always have an impact, no

matter how big or how small the actions taken are. Every little thing done to give back to the community is worth the effort,” she says.

‘‘

introducing it each fall and having her out the year. Students will explore the concepts of community and service

learning to discover how issues of environmental justice and environmental stewardship connect to many aspects of the seventh-grade curriculum.

Through these new service learning projects, students gain a deeper understanding of global issues and actively use what

they learn in the classroom to solve realworld problems. Providing opportunities

for students to leverage their intellectual skills to address real-world issues is one of the many ways NA seeks to fulfill its

mission of contributing engaged individuals to the world.

Louis Whitley ’26 gives a “thumbs-up” while gardening.

The project also helped me learn that giving and helping the community will always have an impact, no matter how big or how small the actions taken are. Every little thing done to give back to the community is worth the effort.” – Krisha Chhabra ’26

At left, students learn how to plant and maintain vegetable and flower beds.

Below, Kaitlyn Chee ’22 co-teaching Shun-Yao Chang’s Mandarin classes during NA’s Month of Action.

NEWARK ACADEMY

NA NEWS

FACULTY FOCUS

Newark Academy Welcomes New Faculty

Welcome Faculty! Cynthia Davis – Science Faculty

Prior to Newark Academy, Cynthia taught at The Winston School in Short Hills, N.J. and The Pike School in Andover, Mass. She earned a B.A. in biology from Colby College and her Ph.D. from Columbia University, and then embarked on a career of research in heart disease at the cellular level. She is excited to teach science at Newark Academy, primarily because of the wonderful community and the state-of-the-art science labs.

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Micah Duhaime – Humanities Faculty

Micah comes to NA from Kent School and Collegiate School in Connecticut where he previously taught history. He earned a B.A. in history and political science from the University of Connecticut and an M.A. in History from Brown University. After completing his education, he taught history and English in Shenzhen, China for four years. Micah looks forward to helping AP U.S. History and Ancient World students utilize the tools of a historian to explore the past and see the present with a new perspective.

Charles Grossen – Mathematics Faculty Charles earned a B.A. in mathematics with a focus on secondary education from Colorado State University and an M.A. in mathematics education from Western Governors University. He taught

math, computer science, physics and engineering at the middle and high school levels in Pueblo, Colo., for the last six years. Charles was drawn to NA because of the school’s reputation and its commitment to students. He is excited to share his enthusiasm and passion for mathematics with NA students.

Dean He – Economics Faculty

Dean joins NA after working as a teaching associate, research associate and student advisor at Columbia University Teachers College. He earned his B.S. in science accounting and his Bachelor of General Studies in business management from Fort Hays State University and his M.A. in economics from Wichita State University. He later received his M.Ed. and Ph.D in economics and education from Columbia University Teachers College. He looks forward to teaching economics, which he describes as an essential part of everyday life, to his students.

Mitchel Jurasek – English Teaching Fellow

Mitchel earned a B.A. in English literature from Bowdoin College. The opportunity to teach intellectually fearless students brought Mitchel to NA as a Teaching Fellow. He specializes in queer, ecological and global literature and looks forward to supporting the literary adventures of his students. Mitchel is from the rural town of Talkeetna, Alaska, and traveled more than 4,000 miles to join the Newark Academy community.

Julie Miao – Mathematics Faculty

Julie earned a B.S. in mathematics from Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pa., and completed a teaching fellow program at Avenues: The World School in New York City. She was

attracted to NA for many reasons, including its rich history, beautiful campus and collegial working environment. Julie hopes to support students to become their best selves through curiosity and commitment.

Sky Monroe – English Faculty

Prior to joining the NA faculty, Sky taught English at Bernards High School and Pingry. She earned a B.A. in English from Barnard College and an M.A. in English Education from Columbia University Teachers College. Sky has also taught yoga, trained yoga teachers and worked as a professional actor. Sky was drawn to NA because of its commitment to rigor, equity and inclusion, and fostering intellectual curiosity in students.

Melissa Sarmiento – Humanities Faculty Melissa earned a B.A.in history and Latin American studies from Cornell University. After teaching English in Tokyo, Japan for four years, Melissa returned to the U.S. and earned an M.A.T. in social studies from Brown University. She is excited to get to know the NA community, to have important history discussions with students and to contribute to the school’s equity and inclusion initiatives.

Inma Serrano – Spanish Faculty

Inma comes to NA with 20 years of teaching inspiring Spanish lessons in the New Jersey private school sector. She received a B.S. in business administration and science from the College of Saint Elizabeth and an M.A. in Spanish literature from Montclair State University. Be aware, she suffers from a rare form of wanderlust, bibliophilia and cinephilia! She looks forward to working with talented colleagues and amazing students.

NEWARK ACADEMY

NA NEWS

FACULTY FOCUS

Newark Academy Welcomes New Staff Annie Acken – Advancement Office Manger Annie joined NA in July 2021 after having worked as the Assistant Director of Alumni and Parent Relations at Drew University and, most recently, as a development associate at P.G. Chambers School in Cedar Knolls. She earned her B.A. in art history from RandolphMacon College in Virginia. Annie is looking forward to connecting with not only current students, but also faculty, parents and NA alumni.

Andreas Aponte – Director of Auxiliary Services

Andreas joined NA in July 2021 as the Director of Auxiliary Services. She is from San Juan, Puerto Rico, and earned her B.S. Economics from the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, where she majored in economics and minored in accounting. Most recently, she worked at Saint John’s School in San Juan as the Activities Coordinator. She was drawn to Newark Academy because of the school’s forward-thinking philosophy and is looking forward to challenging herself to find creative solutions to everyday problems and developing strategic partnerships that will benefit the NA community.

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Henry Fuentes – Operations

Henry was born in El Salvador. He is a chef by trade and a talented landscaper. Henry worked for SAGE dining before taking a position with NA’s Operations Department. Henry’s main responsibilities will be landscaping and athletic fields maintenance. At home, Henry loves to cook for his wife and kids. He is a passionate Real Madrid fan and plays soccer in his spare time.

Danny Gelir – Operations

Danny was born in the city of Eskisehir, Turkey, and worked as an elementary school teacher before moving to the United States. After moving to the U.S., Danny began working in construction. He decided to take a position in the Operations Department because he missed being in a school environment. Danny enjoys sports, especially soccer and fishing. His main responsibilities at NA will be dealing with mechanical, electrical and plumbing issues.

Matt Grimaldi – Media Support Specialist

Prior to joining Newark Academy in June 2021, Matt worked for a talent agency in New York City and spent several years teaching film and media production at a charter school in Center City, Philadelphia. He earned a B.A. in media and communications from Muhlenberg College and an M.A. in multicultural education from Eastern University. He was very drawn to the history of NA and is excited to be in a position that allows him to work with all of the members of the community.

Kristen Johnson – Associate Director of Admission

Kristen joined the Office of Admission and Enrollment Management in December 2020. A seasoned admission professional, she has spent the last 26 years working both fulltime and part-time in the Admissions Office at Lafayette College. She earned a B.A. in international affairs and French, with a minor in Spanish from Lafayette College. In her post as Academy’s Associate Director of Admission, Kristen will play an active role in applicant interviews, communications, event planning, the Parent and Student Ambassador Programs, as well as the committee review process.

Julie Kayzerman – Assistant Director of Communications and Marketing

Julie joined the Communications and Marketing team in June 2021 after working as the Social Media and Public Relations Manager at Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU) for the past three years. She earned a B.A. in journalism from The College of New Jersey and a Master of Sports Administration from FDU. She was attracted to NA by the supportive and family-oriented environment and is most excited about interacting with all members of the NA community, working as the editor of LUMEN and growing the school’s social media efforts.

Alyssa McPherson ’13 – Assistant to the Dean of Students

Alyssa is no stranger to NA, having spent some of the most formative years of her life as a student. In 2020, she returned to NA amidst a global pandemic as a teaching assistant, supporting teachers – many of whom helped her grow as a lifelong learner – as they navigated teaching behind masks, screens and several feet of distance. In her newest role as Assistant to the Dean of Students, Alyssa is looking forward to providing support wher-

ever needed and offering her perspective on promoting and embodying equity and inclusion initiatives. Alyssa earned her B.A. from Brown University.

Allyson Richardson – Admission Office Manager

Allyson joined NA in August 2020 in the Dean of Students Office before moving to the Admission Office in June 2021. Prior to Newark Academy, Allyson worked at Christie’s for six years, most recently as Business Manager for Commercial Finance. She earned a B.A in art history from Bucknell University and an M.A. in art history from Columbia University. She is eager to get to know prospective families and serve as a first point of contact and resource for them during the school search and admission process.

Role Changes

Rochelle Edwards, formerly a Humanities faculty member and the Upper School Equity and Inclusion Coordinator, is the new Director of Equity and Inclusion. In her new role, Rochelle will push DEI efforts forward at Newark Academy through reimagined student programming and professional development.

Dana PomyKala, formerly the Advancement Office Manager, is now the Middle School Office Manager. Lou Scerra, formerly the Director of Institutional Research and Strategy, is now the Senior Director of External Affairs and Strategy. In his new role, Lou coordinates and oversees the work of External Affairs (Admissions, Advancement, Athletics, Auxiliary Services, and Communications and Marketing) and leads selected school-wide strategic initiatives.

NEWARK ACADEMY

NA NEWS

Newark Academy Welcomes New Trustees Rohit (Ro) Bawa ’93 – Alumnus

Ro joins the Newark Academy Board of Trustees after serving for three years on the Alumni Board of Governors (BOG). While at NA, he was editorin-chief of both The Minuteman and Polymnian. He graduated summa cum laude from NA and earned his B.A. in political economy from Williams College. Ro began his career on the bond trading desk of D.E. Shaw and later joined Deutsche Bank, serving as managing director. After a 20-year career on Wall Street, he founded his own private investment company, Green Lantern, focusing primarily on real estate development. Ro and his wife, Vini, have two young children.

Debra (Debbie) Caplan – Current Parent

Debbie and her husband, Ken, are current Newark Academy parents to Leo ’23 and Evan ’25. Debbie is a leading voice for Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), she serves as a current Board Member, chairing both their Governance and Nominating committees, as well as being a trained volunteer Advocate. CASA advocates for the welfare of children who have been removed from their homes because of abuse, neglect or abandonment. She is also an Executive Board Member of the National Council of Jewish Women, Essex County Section (NCJW), where she co-chairs the Period Project which focuses on the issue of menstrual inequity. Debbie serves as Vice President and Co-Founder of the Lisa B. Fishman Foundation, an organization that provides critical funds for Hodgkin’s lymphoma research. Debra’s older sister Lisa, passed away from Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2001. Each week Debbie volunteers with Meals On Wheels delivering hot meals to homebound individuals who are unable to purchase or prepare their own meal. Her prior Board and Volunteer work include: Pencils of Promise, Sundara, EIES, The Place2Be Organization and The Knightsbridge School in London. At NA, she has served as a Parent Liaison, a Monitor for The Apostles’ House tutoring program, and a Parent Ambassador for the

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Annual Fund. Debbie graduated with a B.A. in Business and Psychology from the University of Michigan. She spent 10 years in the Fashion Industry as Vice President of Sales for Levi’s/Dockers Women’s Clothing and Vice President of Calvin Klein Mens’ Underwear.

David Crall – Current Parent

David is the chief executive officer and chief investment officer of Nomura Corporate Research and Asset Management (NCRAM), a subsidiary of Nomura Holdings that manages portfolios of highyield bonds and other credit products for institutional clients around the world. He is also a member of NCRAM’s board of directors. Previously, he was a portfolio manager and investment analyst with NCRAM, having joined the firm after earning a B.A. in English from Yale University. David and his wife, Hilary, have three children at NA – William ’23, Ted ’25 and Emma ’27.

Kimberly (Kim) Hobbs – NAPA Representative to the Board of Trustees

Kim became president of the Newark Academy Parents Association on July 1, after serving as vice president. Kim is a committed community volunteer with the Junior League of Montclair-Newark, Toni’s Kitchen in Montclair, and the Jack and Jill of America organization. She has previously served as president, head of fundraising and head of programming for the South Mountain PTA. An active and devoted alumna of Rutgers University, she spent more than a decade in sales and marketing roles with Bristol Myers Squibb, Cephalon (now Teva Pharmaceuticals) and HBOC (now McKesson). Kim and her husband, Milwood, who is also a member of the NA Board of Trustees, have two children, Christopher and Corey ’26.

Rebecca Moll-Freed ’94 – Alumni Board of Governors Representative to the Board of Trustees

A member of the NA Class of 1994 and the parent of two NA students – Lauren ’22 and Ethan ’24 – Rebecca has been an active and loyal alumna for many years. She joined the Board of Governors in 2015, and she has also been instrumental in garnering support from her law firm, Genova Burns, and other Newark organizations for NA’s Newark Scholars program. As a member of the BOG, Rebecca served as chair of the Affinity Committee, as programming chair, and as chair of the Life of the Academy Committee. Rebecca earned a B.A. in English and political science from Tufts University. In 2001, she graduated from Georgetown University School of Law and was admitted to the New Jersey Bar that year and the New York Bar in 2002. Rebecca credits her years on the NA Mock Trial Team for her interest in pursuing a law career. A partner at Genova Burns, she also chairs the firm’s Corporate Political Activity Group and its Nonprofits, Trade Associations & Tax-Exempt Organizations Group; serves on its Management and Marketing Committees; and has served as co-chair of its Strategic Planning Committee. Rebecca has been widely recognized in the legal field: she was named among the NJBIZ Best 50 Women in Business in 2019, received the Mary Philbrook Award from the Women’s Political Caucus of New Jersey in 2016, and was named a Woman of Distinction by the NA Alumni Association in 2014.

Dr. Kalenah Witcher ’87 – Alumna

A member of the NA Class of 1987, Kalenah earned a B.A. with honors in education and psychology from Stanford University in 1991. She attended Teachers College, Columbia University and completed her Psy.D. at the Rutgers University Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology. Kalenah has spent her professional career as a school psychologist in and around Newark. She is also a founding board member of Newark G.A.L.S., Inc. (Girls Acquiring Life Skills), an organization that aims to develop powerful, successful and productive young women from Newark and surrounding urban communities through leadership, advice, social skills, educational planning and mentoring. Kalenah also serves as vice chair of the Central Planning Board of the City of Newark, is a member of the Newark Public Library President’s Coterie, volunteers with the Irvington NAACP, and is an advisor to local chapters of the Muslim Students Association. At NA, Kalenah participated in the Black Awareness Club, and played clarinet and softball. She particularly enjoyed her history and English classes and credits NA’s rich curriculum for her early introduction to the deep study of American and global history and culture. Her siblings, Kanileah ’89 and Kaleem ’93, and her cousin Amoni ’97 are all NA alumni. She has two children, Aliyyah Connie Torres, 24, and Idris Bilal Wheeler, 11.

NEWARK ACADEMY

THRIVING TOGETHER By Julie Kayzerman

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hen students walk through

Newark Academy’s front doors, they are greeted by warm,

smiling faces – a clear sign of the school’s welcoming

atmosphere. While joyfulness and a generosity of spirit have long been hallmarks of school culture, NA students have

responded to the challenging circumstances of the past year and a half by learning to be more resilient, empathetic and

grateful than ever. In the process, the entire students, faculty,

and staff have seen the power of a community when it comes together and supports one another.

The Rise of Resiliency, Empathy and Gratitude Upper School Counselor Carol Spooner and Middle School Counselor Kirsti Morin have seen tremendous psychological growth within NA students during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the counselors, students entered Fall 2021 with a deeper understanding of themselves, while being more readily equipped to help their peers. “I think our kids became even more empathetic last year. They continued listening to each other and amplified their compassion for one another,” Kirsti says, noting that an emerging mindset of gratitude seemed to pervade the student body. “With unpredictable and reimagined school experiences, our students have had incredible growth in their emotional strength and coping abilities.”

››› NEWARK ACADEMY

Newark Academy students and friends enjoy the 2021 Homecoming festivities.

The compassion and empathy that permeate the NA

The teachers at NA are not removed from the students –

community have allowed a sense of interconnectedness

they know the students and the students know them,”

to endure challenges like social distancing or the wearing

Robyn says. “This allows NA teachers to be sensitive to

of face masks. Although counseling in face masks has

what students need to thrive. There is also an added layer

been challenging, Carol notes that it actually forced both

of care that is present, since NA teachers take the time

students and her to learn how to read people’s eyes,

to listen to students as they voice their feelings, concerns

encouraging a higher degree of connectedness. “You

and needs. Students learn from this compassion, and they

had to really look at somebody and acknowledge them

mirror these behaviors.”

because you couldn’t read their lips or see their whole face,” Carol says. “While it was a barrier in many ways, in other ways I think it forced people to stop and acknowledge the person.”

Silverman, also an author and host of the podcast How to Talk to Kids About Anything – episodes of which have been downloaded over one million times – once saw herself as “an average student with no special academic affinities to brag about.” But throughout her years at NA,

NA alumna Dr. Robyn Silverman ’92, a leading

several teachers held up a mirror to show her

child and teen development specialist, par-

otherwise. She credits NA for providing

enting expert, and frequent media guest,

the foundation of skills that led to her

isn’t at all surprised that NA students have thrived amid the changing global

professional success. “Now I focus on

landscape. She recalls NA’s close-knit

seeing kids for their strengths – as

and supportive community as being

assets to be developed, not deficits to

critical to her own ability to gain confi-

be managed – because the teachers and staff at NA did that for me.”

dence in herself as capable of greatness, because teachers continually told her of the potential they saw in her.

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One of those strengths, Robyn says, is Dr. Robyn Silverman ’92

resiliency. “Kids see they are able to face

something that is very difficult and bounce back,” she says.

many other creative events throughout the school served to

“They can look back at it as a marker of a hurdle that they

create community and forge relationships.

were able to clear, and other simple life hurdles become dwarfed in comparison.”

Claire Waskow ’23 who serves as the School Council Mental Health Committee secretary was instrumental in kicking off the Mental

FROM CONSTRAINTS TO COLLABORATION AND CREATIVITY

Health Minutes campaign during morning meetings. “There has been a recent embrace of mental health in a public

Robyn notes that the pre-teen and teenage years are stages

space, especially in regards

of life when children tend to be very self-focused. However,

to normalizing therapy and

thanks to the NA’s strong community, caring environment

mental illness, and I felt that

and focus on service-learning, students develop a commu-

it was of utmost importance

nal mindset and an affinity for helping others.

for the NA community to feel

These qualities were evident more than ever through the student-led initiatives that took place during the 2020-21 school year. In the spirit of thriving together, the NA Student Council and several other clubs began collaborating in new ways to provide joyful experiences and bring groups of people together who otherwise would not have interacted. For example, the NA School Council partnered with the Crossword Club to host school-wide advisor group word puzzle challenges. The Philosophy and Psychology Club joined forces with the Public Health Group to lead discussions about ethics during a public health crisis – even using an article published in The Minuteman student newspaper to spark conversation. In addition, trivia challenges, tricycle races, student-run classes, mental health minutes and

Claire Waskow ’23

comfortable in conversations surrounding mental health,” she says. “I take pride that the Mental Health Minutes represent our community working together to support one another and ensure everyone has a strong foundation to fall back on when needed.” Having seen the success of these events and their capacity to bring groups together through collaboration, NA Upper School Student Council President Stella Gilbert ’22 hopes the renewed focus on community-building is here to stay. She explains that last year’s restrictions on in-person activities inspired the council to take the time to reimagine how traditional events could be made even better and new signature experiences could be created. (Continued on page 36)

Students play games at the annual Back-to-School Barbecue. NEWARK ACADEMY

NA students participated in a week of experiential learning and engaging workshops through Master Classes, such as Environmental Sculpture.

(Continued from page 35)

Stella Gilbert ’22

“There’s been a sense of growth and wanting to make new things,” Stella says. “We’ve had a chance to shut everything off and rethink all of the ways we can make

everything better, so it’s super exciting.” Stella, who has been at NA since sixth grade, regards this supportive community as pivotal in her character development and growth. This year, she is leveraging the school’s close-knit relationships through meetings with classmates, teachers, administrators and former presidents in order to gain a better understanding of the community’s needs and how she can address them while enhancing her leadership skills. “The NA community has definitely been a significant reason why I’ve grown into the leader that I am,” Stella says. “There’s definitely an everyone rises together mentality.” With this collaborative ethos deeply ingrained in the school culture, the NA students, faculty and staff have truly proven their ability to thrive under any circumstances – never alone, but as a community of resilient learners. “These students have an opportunity to gain a rare perspective that they might not have received without experiencing the pandemic,” Dr. Robyn says. “That perspective becomes a gift that they can take with them throughout these years and as they emerge and go to college and beyond.”

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Counselors Kirsti Morin and Carol Spooner.

TIPS FOR THRIVING

FROM THE NA COUNSELING OFFICE ›› Practice gratitude, empathy, kindness and inclusivity. ›› Develop resilience and coping skills, and reflect on how these are transferable to any adverse situation.

›› Keep an open mind. ›› Maintain habits and routines for proper sleep, diet and exercise.

›› Connect with others. ›› Set realistic expectations. ›› Decide what your “new normal” looks like and what really matters to you.

›› Use your resources and seek help when needed.

Takes Off at Newark Academy By Sherrie Negrea

Newark Academy students are learning to build

sustainable cities, replicas of museum sculptures, and facilities to sustain human life on Mars without ever leaving their classrooms.

›››

NEWARK ACADEMY

Students in Debra Tavares’s sixth grade class clean up their 3D-printed sustainable city model.

the Upper School, a course on

3D printing has enrolled a total

of 150 students since it was launched a decade ago during June Term –

the last two weeks of the school year, when Upper School students

When Upper School physics teacher Drew Kesler created his 3D Printing and Technical Drawing course in 2012, he didn’t know it would become one of the most popular June Term offerings. In the course, students produce a self-designed 3D object and also create a model of a sculpture they select during a field trip to the Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton, N.J.

immerse themselves in an intensive,

“As much as it is a course in 3D printing, which is pretty technical,

School, a science course has long

creating something that is aesthetically pleasing or functional –

experiential class. In the Middle

incorporated 3D printing to help

students understand and propose

solutions to major world problems, such as climate change.

it’s also a design course in learning how to use the software and or both,” Drew says. For Drew’s students, the process of creating a three-dimensional object starts with determining what shapes comprise the piece they want to produce, measuring them, and then creating the forms and positioning them using two software programs, SketchUp and OpenSCAD. One important lesson they learn in the class is that 3D printing requires patience because their first attempt is likely to fail.

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3D-printed model of a sixth grade student’s computer aided design (CAD) of a sustainable city.

“You just do it again and again and it gets better and better,” Drew says. “I think that’s a valuable mindset, to know that you’re not going to get it right the first time.” In her course, Interactive Investigations in Science, Middle School science teacher Debra Tavares uses 3D printing to empower students to tackle realworld problems, such as mitigating climate change and enabling human exploration of Mars. The assignment for the course’s sustainability unit

‘‘

is to create a city that meets human needs while

With computer-aided design software and 3D printing … if you can think it, you can design it and you can 3D model it; essentially, you can make a new reality.” – Debra Tavares

avoiding all waste. The students’ final projects, standing up to seven inches tall, are produced by the 3D printer on a plate the size of a piece of notebook paper. Debra says she added 3D projects to the course when a parent donated a Makerbot printer to her about 15 years ago. “I immediately added 3D printing to my science course,” she says, “because I could see how it could be used to solve problems and inspire the innovative process.” According to Drew, learning to operate 3D printers is particularly useful for students interested in engineering and architecture. In his June Term course, for example, students learn how to use Jonah Grossman ’27 uses a dremel to clean up the 3D printing of his sustainable city model.

computer-aided design (CAD) software, a standard professional tool, to create their projects. Adrien Chouraqui ’22 was introduced to 3D printing when he took the June Term course two years ago. When he interned at a gallery in Paris this past summer, working on a team with designers and manufacturers to produce art for the space, he discovered that the technology is used extensively in the art world. Adrien, who plans to study architecture in college, has continued working on 3D projects during the school year with Drew, sometimes spending up to 12 hours on a single design. “The 3D printers give us access to creative freedom,” Adrien says. “As a person who can’t live without creative projects, it brings unconditional fun to school.” Because 3D printing has become an essential tool in a growing number of industries, Debra says it will remain part of her curriculum. “With computeraided design software and 3D printing,” she says, “if you can think it, you can design it and you can 3D model it; essentially, you can make a new reality.”

NEWARK ACADEMY

A DVA N C E M E N T

PREPARING FOR

THE ROAD AHEAD Looking towards the future, Newark Academy continues to prepare students to take their

place in a rapidly changing world through rigorous and engaging programs. To address the

school’s immediate needs for the future, three initiatives have been identified and can be met through philanthropic support. They are:

1. 2. 3.

COMMUNITY SCHOLARS PROGRAM to strengthen the NA student body and educational

access for highly qualified students. An NA alumnus or family can create and name a full scholarship for a period of four or seven years.

ENDOWED FUND FOR INNOVATION IN TEACHING to further encourage the creativity and

leadership of NA’s talented and dedicated faculty. This fund fosters excellence in teaching

and learning through innovation in curricular content, pedagogy and skill development.

RENOVATION AND RENEWAL PROJECT to ensure that teaching and learning spaces are of

the highest quality. Support for this project will facilitate classroom upgrades, updates to the Hawkes Memorial Library, and the transformation of the original classrooms into collaborative

learning spaces where students can participate in skill development for the 21st century. For more information about these initiatives,

contact Director of Development Lisa Mulligan at lmulligan@newarka.edu

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NEWARK ACADEMY

ALUMNI NEWS

Letter from Rebecca Moll Freed ’94 PRESIDENT, ALUMNI BOARD OF GOVERNORS When I was voted “Most Typical NA Student” my senior year at NA, I never could have imagined that,

27 years later, I would have the privilege of serving as the president of the Newark Academy Alumni Board of Governors (BOG). Like many, I look back on my time at NA as some of the most formative years of my life. When I graduated in 1994, we enjoyed the

I returned to New Jersey, where I have

offered many meaningful connections to

new Elizabeth McGraw Arts Wing, made

practiced law ever since.

our alumni community during an other-

calls from the payphones in the lobby, and took 20th-Century Literature with Joseph Mr. Borlo. Although the school facilities have changed since the 90s, NA’s ethos has remained the same. NA is still the warm, challenging, inspiring and collaborative place that we have the privilege of calling home. After graduating from NA, I attended Tufts University, where I majored in English and minored in political science. Thanks to my NA education, I was already familiar with many of the books that I read as an English major in college. After graduating from Tufts in 1998, I continued my education at Georgetown University Law Center. My experience on the NA Mock Trial Team inspired me to become an attorney. Upon graduating from Georgetown Law in 2001,

I currently live in Montville with my husband, Greg, and my two children, Lauren and Ethan. In our house, Greg sometimes feels like the odd one out because both of my children attend NA: Lauren in the Class of 2022 and Ethan in the Class of 2024. Ethan will have the privilege of graduating the same year that NA celebrates its 250th anniversary! As BOG President, my number-one priority is alumni engagement. I look forward to working with my fellow BOG members; like my immediate predecessor, Glenn Waldorf ’90, I want to get to know all of you! I am especially looking forward to

wise isolating time. However, based on my recent visit to campus, where I was able to go inside for the first time since March 2020, I must say that walking the halls, looking at the photos of each graduating class and catching a glimpse of the new Coraci Performance Hall made me realize there is nothing like going home to NA! As I begin my term as President, I encourage you to think about your time at NA and to share your memories with us. We would love to hear them! We also hope to see you at one or more BOG events this year. And don’t worry: we will still have virtual and regional events for those who aren’t local!

seeing and meeting alumni in person.

I look forward to having the opportunity

Since March 2020, the BOG has pivoted

to welcome you home soon!

seamlessly into a virtual world, which

CATCHING UP WITH

Minuteman Veterans Over the past 248 years, Newark Academy has proudly graduated students

who have gone on to serve in the United States military. We recently caught up with three Minuteman veterans to learn how NA impacted their military careers and their lives after service in the armed forces.

Col. William “Bill” S. Kaplan ’69 Bill completed a distinguished career in federal acquisition and program management in the United States Air Force and the Department of Defense, retiring in the rank of Colonel. During his military career, he earned numerous awards and decorations, including the Defense Superior Service Medal and the Legion of Merit Medal. After 25 years of service, Bill founded Working KnowledgeCSP and wrote a widely read book on the challenges of workforce turnover and knowledge loss, Losing Your Minds: Capturing, Retaining and Leveraging Organizational Knowledge. He holds a professional degree in knowledge management from George Washington University, an M.B.A. from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, and a B.S. from Lehigh University.

Michael “Mike” R. Kay ’99 Mike was first commissioned in the U.S. Army as an infantry officer after graduating from the United States Military Academy (USMA) at West Point in 2003. After returning from Iraq in 2007, he was selected to the Green Berets and served as a commander until 2014. He deployed nearly a dozen times for operations in Afghanistan, the Philippines, Nepal and Korea. After retiring from the military, Mike went on to earn his M.B.A. from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in 2016. He currently works as an operating partner at Angeles Equity Partners, a private equity firm based in Los Angeles.

‘‘

Newark Academy taught me three critical skills that I have reused throughout my life: how to research, how to think critically and how to write for understanding.” – COL. WILLIAM “BILL” S. KAPLAN ’69

What are the most important things you gained from attending Newark Academy? Bill: Newark Academy taught me three critical skills that I have reused throughout my life: how to research, how to think critically and how to write for understanding. Just as important, I value my 50-year connection with my Class of 1969 classmates ... and value our regular Zoom calls and steak nights to keep in touch, celebrate successes and mourn the occasional loss of classmates. Mike: I met my wife, Kumi Dikengil ’99, at Newark Academy, so I’d say that our relationship is the most important outcome of my time at NA. The Academy also taught me three things. First, Character matters. The NA honor code and the focus on ethics reinforced to me that character matters above all else. Second, You can choose a career of service.

Stanley “Stan” Hsiung ’00 After graduating from USMA in 2004, Stanley served in the

Teachers like Mr. Ball and initiatives such as Senior Projects helped inspire me to serve. Third, No one succeeds alone.

U.S. Army as a helicopter pilot and aviation officer and

NA Athletics taught me the importance

was deployed twice to Iraq. He is currently working as a

of teamwork in overcoming a challenge.

medical device sales representative at Boston Scientific, a Fortune 500 company, and continues to serve in the U.S. Army Reserve.

Stan: I believe one of the most important things I gained is the desire for continued learning. This keeps me growing and improving a little every day.

(Continued on page 44)

NEWARK ACADEMY

ALUMNI NEWS

Did your experiences at NA better prepare you for a career in the military and in life? If so, in what aspects? Bill: Yes. Specifically in the ability to communicate through the written word and the discipline to follow through on something from beginning to completion.

Stan Hsiung ’00 during his

service as a helicopter pilot and aviation officer in the U.S. Army.

What inspired you to serve in the military, and how long did you serve?

Mike: At the core of success in the Green

Bill: This is an interesting

Berets is the ability to view a problem

story. Vietnam was hot

from the perspective of those that are

and heavy in 1969,

living it every day. To achieve lasting

and we had the draft.

results, you must work with your counter-

My number was 32 and

parts to develop a homegrown solution

Vietnam looked like it

to their specific challenge rather than

would be fought for a while, so I would be

imposing your Americanized point of view

going into the military after my college

the early warning Defense Support

on the situation. My time at NA taught

deferment ended – likely to the Army,

Program and the Strategic Defense

me the importance of understanding

which received most of the draftees.

Initiative.

and embracing diversity of thought

My dad was an Army Air Corps officer in

and perspectives.

Italy in World War II and during Korea,

Mike: I was drawn to the Green Berets

and his advice was to consider applying

because they are the most elite fighting

Stan: NA is a challenging school, and much

for Air Force ROTC, so if the war continued

force in the U.S. military. But more impor-

is demanded by the faculty. (I recently

I would enter the military as an Air Force

tantly I was drawn to the mission. The

confirmed this when I found my old report

officer. I applied to AFROTC and they

motto of the Green Berets is De oppresso

cards.) I may have only occasionally met

accepted me into the Flight Instruction

liber – “To free the oppressed.” Our core

Program and also awarded me a scholar-

mission is unconventional warfare, in

ship for my Lehigh years!

which we train local guerrilla forces to

those expectations, but knowing that the teachers set the bar high and believed in you motivated me to keep trying. In the end, you grow and mature. The Army is

‘‘

overthrow despotic regimes. We work In January of 1973, the Vietnam War

with the local populace to achieve strategic

accords were signed. Shortly thereafter,

outcomes in line with our national secu-

the Air Force canceled all upcoming pilot

rity interests. Our training focuses on

training slots. Since the Air Force had paid

understanding the local culture and

NA is a challenging school, and much is demanded by the faculty… The perseverance I learned at NA helped me push through the tough times in the Army.”

for my college, I was required to enter

– STANLEY “STAN” HSIUNG ’00

proud to have served my

active duty for four years as part of my agreement to accept the scholarship, but not as a future pilot. It worked out well for me. I have no regrets and I am country for 25 years. During this time, I worked on some of our country’s most critical

very similar in those elements. They put

aircraft and space programs,

incredible amounts of responsibility in

like the F-117 stealth fighter,

your hands at a young age and set you in difficult situations. The perseverance I learned at NA helped me push through the tough times in the Army.

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Mike Kay ’99 during a deployment to Afghanistan.

Bill Kaplan ’69, then and now.

Can you recall a favorite memory at NA? Bill: Winning my first wrestling match when I was a sophomore. Wrestling, while also a team language as well as the underlying causes

sport, is primarily an individual sport. Your

of regional, national and global instability.

success is a result of personal discipline,

Also, we have cool hats.

hard work, practice and strategy. Three years of wrestling developed some of the

Stan: I have wanted to be a part of the

skills I needed later in the Air Force and in

military since a very young age. After

my follow-on career.

graduating USMA, students are immediately commissioned as officers and are

Mike: Beating Montclair Kimberly

expected to take leadership positions

Academy in football in eighth grade.

throughout the Army. The minimum commitment to receive free education is

Stan: The time I spent with my friends

five years, but I served eight years on

was the most rewarding part of my

active duty, with two combat tours in Iraq.

NA experience.

I continue to serve in the Army Reserves.

‘‘

More than simply pursuing academic excellence, NA strives to create a supportive environment where students can learn and grow as leaders.” – MICHAEL “MIKE” R. KAY ’99

In your eyes, what makes NA so special?

Bill: NA provided me with an opportunity to begin to seriously define who I wanted to be and would be as an adult. NA helped me to understand choices and provided an academic rigor and a process discipline that would be necessary for my future success – though in retrospect I never appreciated it at the time. From summer school in 1964 through graduation in 1969, NA – the institution, the campus, the teachers, the sports, my fellow students – all had influence and impact, individually and collectively, on who and where I am today. Mike: What makes NA unique is that it is a community rather than just a school. More than simply pursuing academic excellence, NA strives to create a supportive environment where students can learn and grow as leaders. That environment was key to my own development, and NA’s continued pursuit of that goal is what makes it so special. Stan: There are so many talented people that are driven and have tremendous goals. You can’t help but try to be like your peers. I also would be remiss if I didn’t give credit to NA’s reputation, built by the efforts of the students and faculty before me.

If you or someone you know is an NA veteran, please reach out to Director of Alumni Relations Evan Nisenson at enisenson@newarka.edu

NEWARK ACADEMY

ALUMNI NEWS

always wanted to start a busi-

“So much of the pain of rent-

ness, but I always thought it

ing comes from the fact that

would be a fund focused on

you have so many ancillary

emerging markets investing,”

tasks to get taken care of,”

says Nick, who worked for

Nick says. “We’ve tried to

Clarion Partners, a private

address that by aggregating

equity fund in New York City,

all of the different tasks –

before starting business school.

background checks, sublet

“That really piqued my interest

agreements, renters insurance

and it sort of changed my

and rent payments – all on

personal trajectory.” Nick credits Newark Academy’s

NA ALUM DISRUPTS NYC RENTAL MARKET New Leasing App to Launch By Sherrie Negrea

Nick Szuch ’11 believes a new leasing app he co-founded

will disrupt the New York City rental market. The platform,

Lettey, is based on one simple premise: Renters want to live near their friends.

Lettey (taken from the verb

The idea for the startup came

“to let”), which is currently

from Nick’s co-founder and

undergoing beta testing, con-

former Columbia classmate,

nects prospective renters with

Jess Rosner, who had competed

people they know by tapping

with Nick in the Spring 2021

into their social and profes-

Case Competition on Impact

sional networks. The mobile

Investing in Commercial Real

app then provides free listings

Estate, sponsored by the

of apartments available in the

University of Miami.

neighborhoods where their friends live.

for the app after having trouble

“We think that renting can be

finding a sublet in Los Angeles

fun and exciting, and that’s

for a summer internship. She

why we think social context

thought the process would have

is a total game changer,” says

been easier if she’d had a simple

Nick, who earned a B.A. from

means of locating people she

New York University and

already knew living in the city.

will complete his M.B.A. at Columbia Business School next year.

Jess came up with the concept

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When Jess approached Nick to join her as a co-founder, he immediately agreed. “I had

the platform. It’s really a simple idea.”

off-campus study program for

Another unique feature of

influencing him to take risks.

Lettey is its ranking system,

Through that program, he spent

which asks existing renters to

a semester at the School for

rate their neighborhoods based

Ethics and Global Leadership

on four factors: accessibility,

(SEGL) in Washington, D.C.

diversity, fun and value. “You

“This was a signal experience

see a preview of who you know

because it was challenging in

and you see their rating of the

the right kinds of ways,” he

neighborhood across these

says. “It created this discom-

four metrics,” Nick says. “If it

fort that made me feel kind

looks good, you can start look-

of fearless but also curious

ing for a place. If it doesn’t, you

and adventurous.”

can click into a different node

Together, Nick and Jess raised

and continue browsing.”

over half a million dollars in

Nick believes that his focus on

seed funding from friends and

bringing about change stems

family to build a userbase for

in part from his time at NA and

Lettey and to further develop

his extracurricular activities,

technology. Preliminarily, the

including helping form and lead

app generates revenue through

the cooking club, which made

its partnerships with several

lunches for a local food pantry

third-party providers offering

and packed Thanksgiving meals.

services for renters: Lemonade,

“The emphasis on being part of

which provides renter’s insur-

a broader community outside

ance; TransUnion, which does

of NA contributed to affecting

background checks; and Stripe,

change and having an impact in

which helps users pay their rent.

a positive way,” he says.

The app aims to help renters find housing near their friends.

5 OVER 50 YEARS:

NA Celebrates the 50th Anniversary of Its Return to Coeducation With Reflections from 5 NA Alumnae

Leslie Abney Ford ’74 Artist Leslie was a member of the first group of female students to attend Newark Academy in over a century. “It is only now, later in life, that I have come to realize what a unique experience it was to have been one of the first during that year,” she says. “It was an exciting time, and NA students were very happy to see us there.” Although she was often the only girl

Fifty years ago, Newark Academy returned to its coeducational roots and

admitted its first female class since 1859. NA had been coeducational at its

founding in 1774; in 1780, however, the school was burned by a raiding party of British troops and did not reopen until 1792, as an all-boys’ school. Girls returned to NA by the late 1790s and remained until 1859.

Over a century later, E. Standish Bradford, Jr., was inaugurated as the school’s headmaster, and became a champion for reimplementing coeducation. Three years into his tenure, in September 1971, the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees voted unanimously to admit girls. Forty-nine girls entered NA that year, with French teacher Annette Tomaino serving as their advisor.

in the classroom, Leslie notes that she learned how to hold her own and not be afraid to speak her mind. “I always felt that I was heard and respected at NA, which helped me in my career when I needed to stand up for myself and was a huge confidence builder for me,” she says. Leslie recalls baking cookies for the Drama Club stage crew and designing costumes and painting sets for various shows. She also fondly remembers many of her teachers, particularly Mr. Thaddeus Rudnicki, who was close friends with her father, Hampton

“The attitude and atmosphere prevalent within Newark Academy has taken definite change

Abney. The two men had an ongoing fake

for the better,” said Bradford, according to Suzanne Geissler’s 1993 book A Widening Sphere

feud, which they thought was hilarious,

of Usefulness: Newark Academy 1774–1993.

Leslie recalls.

In honor of the 50th anniversary of NA’s return to coeducation, we caught up with five

After her time at the Academy, Leslie enjoyed

alumnae, including one from each decade over the past 50 years, to see what they have

a 20-year career in art direction, creative

been up to since graduating and to reflect on their Newark Academy experiences.

(Continued on page 48)

NEWARK ACADEMY

ALUMNI NEWS

(Continued from page 47)

design and production in magazine publishing, utilizing her B.F.A. from Carnegie Mellon University. She has worked for major publications like Town & Country, House Beautiful, Seventeen, Women’s Day and Sports Afield. In 1994, she opened her own design studio, creating a capital campaign package for the Montclair Art Museum expansion, as well as catalogs of exhibitions,

foundations she built at NA have been critical in her prestigious career. Jennifer is currently serving a lifetime appointment as an Article III federal judge on the U.S. Court of International Trade, which is based in New York City and has national jurisdiction over international trade and customs cases. She was nominated by President Barack Obama and sits alongside fellow NA alumnus Honorable

annual reports and newsletters.

Leo M. Gordon ’69.

Throughout the years, Leslie has remained

Jennifer credits Newark Academy for helping

connected to NA. She has served on the Board of Governors and was involved in

her develop strong writing skills and the ability to think critically and independently,

developing a more robust NA website by

all of which have been invaluable throughout

designing a template and assisting with

her career as a lawyer and now as a judge.

the site’s migration.

Mollie describes Newark Academy as a home for her entire family: Mollie and her sister, Laurie Wilkie ’91, both attended NA; her mother was deeply involved with the

After graduating from the Academy in 1987,

Newark Academy Parents Association;

Leslie lives in the Finger Lakes region of

Jennifer earned a B.A. in English from

and her father, William Wilkie, was on the

Central New York with her husband, John.

Princeton University, a J.D. from Rutgers

Board of Trustees and was instrumental

Together they have twin sons, Ted and Nate.

Law School-Newark, and an LL.M. from

in the planning and construction of the

She now pursues her work as an artist and

Columbia Law School. After law school, she

Elizabeth B. McGraw Arts Center and

is featured at Lichtundfire, a New York City

worked as an assistant district attorney in

the William E. & Carol G. Simon Family

gallery where all artists must be invited

Manhattan and for various law ﬁrms before

Field House.

to exhibit. She is still great friends with classmate Susan Ohaus Flint ’74, and she reconnected with many others at Reunion. “I would not be who I am today had I not had the opportunity to know all my classmates at NA, and I am forever grateful for that,” Leslie says.

eventually joining the White House as senior director of intellectual property and innovation under President George W. Bush and President Obama.

friendships, experiencing incredible lessons from teachers, playing four years

and tour and brought them to sit in on one

of soccer, and developing a support system

of her English classes. While working at

that has lasted her well beyond graduation.

of Students Pegeen Galvin-Scott and French classes with Mr. Joseph Borlo and Mrs. Mary Burg, both of whom were instrumental in developing her love of travel.

to her current seat on the federal bench, Judge Jennifer Choe-Groves says the

LUMEN

I FALL 2021

strong and empathetic leader.” Her fond

she hosted NA students for a campus visit

recalls her own NA English class with Dean

attorney to her work in the White House

“But most of all, NA taught me to be a memories include building enduring

private tour of the West Wing. She fondly

From her time as an assistant district

speak up for myself, and care,” Mollie says.

NA long after graduation. While at Princeton,

teacher Mr. Robert Riley and his family on a

Honorable Jennifer Choe-Groves ’87 Federal Judge

“NA taught me how to thrive, be organized,

Jennifer maintained her relationship with

the White House, she took former English

Mollie Wilkie ’95 Brand Creative Lead

Mollie received her B.F.A. in advertising design and graphic communication from Washington University in 1999. She spent the next eight years in Chicago, working as an art director at a handful of large and small advertising agencies. She then decided to immerse herself in a new culture and moved to Madrid, Spain, for a year,

For Jennifer, NA is special because of its

during which she taught English as a

individualized focus on students. She notes

second language.

that she never felt like just one of many students because the teachers truly cared about each individual and their academic growth.

Upon her return to the States, Mollie continued her creative career as a Senior Art Director at Whole Foods Market and

Jennifer is currently married to an attorney

even picked up a substitute teaching stint

and has two children interested in pursuing

at NA. Over the last decade, she worked as a

careers in arts, writing and entertainment.

creative director for the National Football League, developing content for global

events and world-class programs. In

Tiffany, who received a four-year scholar-

Bloomfield in a soccer home opener,

September 2021, she began her latest

ship to attend NA, noticed a significant

and dynamic, fun-filled English classes

venture as brand creative lead at Nerf.

difference in the educational opportunities

with Lou Scerra, now Senior Director of

and experiences she received, compared

External Affairs and Strategy.

Mollie currently resides in Brooklyn with her husband, Jake, four-year-old daughter, Penny, and 15-year-old step-daughter, Cora. “NA was home for a long time. It more or less defined my and my family’s life for over a decade,” Mollie says. “When my father passed, we held his funeral at NA. The brick inscribed with his name watching over the Field House entrance reminds me that NA will always welcome me back and always feel like home.”

to those of her family members attending public schools. That recognition sparked her interest in working towards equity in education.

Katharine went on to earn a B.S. in computer science and mathematics from Hamilton College. While there, she took

“A lot of what I do in education is really

classes in women’s studies, an interest

trying to give students who come from

that was sparked during Morning Meetings

underrepresented backgrounds and under-

and conversations with friends at NA.

resourced backgrounds the opportunity for an educational experience like what I had at NA, no matter their race,” she says. Today, Tiffany is the executive director of Hack the Hood, a nonprofit organization in Oakland, California, aimed at teaching data science and coding skills to students of color. She is also currently pursuing an M.B.A. from UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business and has a B.A. in psychology from

“There are two words that come to mind when I think of NA: respect and community,” she says. “When I think back to my NA experience, it was my peers and teachers that made the difference. I had teachers that cared for me and my personal outcomes, and I had peers that challenged me to think about the world differently.” Katharine says she learned to be confident

Bryn Mawr.

and curious in the NA classrooms and

Prior to joining Hack the Hood, Tiffany

understanding and global stewardship

served as the founding senior director of university programs at AI4ALL and as the founding regional director of Black Girls Code, where she managed expansion and

Tiffany Shumate ’04 Executive Director of a Nonprofit

Following her graduation from NA,

programming for six U.S. sites and in Johannesburg, South Africa. “NA was more than a school for me – it was

“It’s the people that I remember at NA the

a safe haven,” Tiffany says. “I grew as a

most,” says Tiffany. Many of the bonds

scholar and person because of the people

she formed at NA continue to be strong to

I met at NA.”

this day. Some of her closest friendships

discovered the importance of cultural through the required Immersion Experience. The latter influenced her to study abroad at Oxford, to travel through Europe, and to spend 30 days backpacking in the Yukon. Katharine took her first full-time job in 2017 as a software engineer at IBM, where she learned how to build flexible APIs and user-friendly front-end code. Her latest venture is as a senior software engineer at Aetion, a New York City-based health startup that harnesses real-world data

were formed during morning bus rides,

to determine what medical treatments

and she has kept in touch with many of

work best for whom and when. In 2018,

her mentors. One of those, the late Judith

Katharine was honored as a Woman

Dougherty who worked as a testing spe-

of Distinction at the Annual Women

cialist at NA, largely influenced Tiffany’s

of NA Luncheon.

desire to give back in the form of education. While at NA, Tiffany worked closely with Ms. Dougherty through the Suburban Cultural Education Enrichment Program (SCEEP) Tutoring Program, which matched students in Tiffany’s hometown of Newark to volunteer student tutors from NA. “It meant so much to me, as someone from Newark, to work with Ms. Dougherty on that,” she says.

Katharine Fuzesi ’13 Software Engineer Katharine has fond memories from her time at Newark Academy: the Class of 2013’s epic Spirit Week three-peat, beating

NEWARK ACADEMY

Campus View

‘‘

LUMEN

I FALL 2021

One of my favorite spots on campus is the athletic bunker located next to the tennis courts. It is where you can see a full view of the beautiful and

expansive campus and watch multiple athletic games at the same time.” – Head of School Donald M. Austin

NEWARK ACADEMY

C L A S S N OT E S

1944 CONTACT:

robert lee (561) 747-4331 Thanks to the most recent issue of LUMEN, Bob received phone calls from both Bert Natelson ’44 and Bill Wachenfeld ’44. He also spoke by phone with Don Schlenger ’39 who lives near him in Jupiter, Florida.

1959

1966

1974

CONTACT:

douglas B. Slade Dslade542@aol.com

Warren G. Soare wsoare@optonline.net

lance t. Aronson lancetrezevant@aol.com

1960

1967

1975

CONTACT:

Frederick Katz, Jr. katzjr@optonline.net

Matthew leone mleone@colgate.edu

William J. York wyork@smallfeat.org

1961

1968

1976

CONTACT:

Curtis Cetrulo Curt.cetrulo@gmail.com

Stephan G. Kravitz sgkravitz@gmail.com

donald C. deFabio drdefabio@aol.com

peter papademetriou papadem@cs.com

Franklin C. phifer, Jr. fphifer@hecht.com

robin lechter Frank ontheqt1231@aol.com

1946

1962

1969

CONTACT:

robert Cronheim rdc@cronheim.com

Bernard J. d’Avella, Jr. bud@davellafamily business.com

John H. Bess bessjh@gmail.com

1952 William (Bill) Van Winkle billvw7334@aol.com

1955

CONTACT:

1971

Charles A. Fischbein cafpac@Earthlink.net

CONTACT:

1964

CONTACT:

Edward l. levitt eezyed@comcast.net

1958

CONTACT:

Michael r. Yogg michaelyogg@gmail.com

1965

CONTACT:

Stephen Knee shknee@hotmail.com

CONTACT:

Van S. Stevens drvanstevens@gmail.com

2021–2022

NA ANNuAl FuNd luMEN

I FALL 2021

1979 CONTACT:

1963

CONTACT:

leo M. Gordon gordon43b@gmail.com

Francey Burke was recognized by the Cape May County Chamber Education Foundation as their 2021 honoree.

Michael Schneck Mschneck@schnecklaw.com

William d. Hardin, Jr. whardin@ptd.net Mark Menza menza613ha1@aol.com

1972 CONTACT:

daniel d. Cronheim ddc@cronheim.com

1980 CONTACT:

Kim S. Hirsh KHirsh@jfedgmw.org In July, Stuart risch was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General by the Chief of Staﬀ of the Army.

Harry Hazelwood III drhazelwood@massmed.org

A gift today has an impact that lasts a lifetime! Support NA: www.newarka.edu/donate

1981

1990

CONTACT:

Arthur (Artie) Williams IV artiekid@aol.com

Glenn A. Waldorf gwaldorf@bellenvironmental.com

1984

K. Lesli Ligorner was included in Benchmark Litigation’s 2021 list of APAC’s Top 100 Women in Litigation.

Pierce Malloy ’23 and laura Gardner remington ’90 have been part of the same summer community for a few years but just learned of their Newark Academy connection in August. Kabeyun is an overnight camp for boys on Lake Winnipesaukee where Pierce was a camper for six years and Laura is on the staﬀ. At camp this summer, Pierce did a lot of hiking in the White Mountains with Laura’s sons, including an epic, one-day traverse of the Presidential Range — that’s 23 miles, 7 summits above 4,000 feet, and 9,000 feet of elevation gain they covered in 13 hours! Laura, her husband, Jay, and their sons live outside of Boston. She enjoys tennis, mountain biking, hiking, paddling, and crosscountry skiing. Most of all, she loves living, working, and playing at Kabeyun each summer.

1988

1991

CONTACT:

lara Coraci Basile ljc@norpak.net

richard l. Worth richardworth2001@ yahoo.com

CONTACT:

William E. Markstein WEMarkstein@gmail.com

1985 CONTACT:

Kimberley Griﬃnger Wachtel kgwachtel@gmail.com

1986 CONTACT:

Betsy dollinger Bernstein bdb1@mac.com James C. Schachtel Jschachtel@verizon.net

1987

Matthew Mctamaney mattheynow@yahoo.com Melissa dollinger Shein msheinus@yahoo.com

1989 CONTACT:

Stacey Bradford stacey.bradford@gmail.com Kwame Ivery is the author of the debut YA Contemporary novel The Problem with the Other Side, which was released by Soho Press on September 7, 2021.

1992 Salamishah tillet was selected as a 2021 Andrew Carnegie Fellow. The Andrew Carnegie Fellows Program provides philanthropic support for scholarship in the humanities and social sciences that addresses important and enduring issues confronting our society.

1. Francey Burke ’76 is the Cape May County Chamber Education Foundation 2021 honoree. 2. Stuart Risch ’80 was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General by the Chief of Staff of the Army. 3. Kwame Ivery ’89 authored The Problem with the Other Side. 4. Pierce Malloy ’23 and Laura Gardner Remington ’90 at Camp Kabeyun.

NEWArK ACAdEMY

C L A S S N OT E S

1993 CONTACT:

was named Vice PresidentElect to the NJ Society of Professional Journalists.

lauren Hedvat is the Founder and CEO at Laudon Bridge Group.

1998

2002

CONTACT:

Jack A. Hyman jahyman@gmail.com

Joshua Jacobs joshua.s.jacobs@gmail.com

lauren Jacobs-lazer laurenjacobslazer@gmail.com

Sarah r. uslan and her family welcomed home baby boy, Finley Morris Duncan, born on March 2, 2021.

timothy E. Herburger burgermac@mac.com Jed S. rosenthal jedrosenthal@gmail.com

We Fondly Remember

1994 CONTACT:

pamela Helfant Vichengrad pamelavich@hotmail.com

Jerome Bess ’40 October 5, 2021 Lori Caren Rappaport - LaCroix ’77 October 4, 2021 John Barry Phelan ’58 September 17, 2021 George W. Small ’42 September 13, 2021 Judith Woolley Briod NA staff member from 1990 –2000

August 4, 2021 Harold Mercer Blanchard Jr. ’51 July 24, 2021 Walter Kunisch ’61 May 20, 2021

lena ryals founded LMR Consulting, a full-service project management firm specializing in IT and DEI initiatives. The 2021 edition of Chambers High Net Worth (“HNW”) has ranked Skoloff & Wolfe’s CoManaging Partner, Jonathan W. Wolfe, in Band 1 for High Net Worth Family/ Matrimonial in the state of New Jersey. Jonathan is one of only three lawyers to receive this recognition, which HNW explains “identifies the leading professional advisors to the private wealth market in New Jersey.”

1995 CONTACT:

Evyan turner evyanturner413@gmail.com

Howard Kern ’51 April 5, 2021 Lawrence Swensen ’55 February 10, 2021 Gordon Litwin ’46 April 5, 2020

luMEN

I FALL 2021

Jenna Smith Schwerdt jenna@smithdesign.com

1999 CONTACT:

John Gregory Jcg681@gmail.com Asha K. Coco asha.talwar@gmail.com Jodi luciani Cohen and her husband, Ryan, welcomed their baby, Jagger Ty Cohen, home. dania Matos has been named UC Berkeley’s Vice Chancellor for Equity and Inclusion

2000 CONTACT:

tim ralph and his wife, Michelle welcomed their baby boy, William Jude Ralph, home on July 5, 2021. Edward pursell and his wife, Director of Human Resources Sarah Guelich, welcomed baby boy Graydon Michael Pursell on July 9, 2021. Marcelo C. porto mark.c.porto@gmail.com Alexander C. Senchak alex.senchak@gmail.com

2003 CONTACT:

lauren H. Anderson lauren.h.anderson@gmail.com david N. rattner drattner07@gmail.com

Alison poole lasher alisonklasher@gmail.com

Evan p. Sills evan.sills@gmail.com

Maria Villafranca and her husband, Miles Morton, welcomed home baby boy, Nico Villafranca Morton, on April 5, 2021.

Congratulations are in order for Jessica M. Griggs Giegucz and her family who welcomed their baby girl, Marlene, home.

Andrew Slutzky andrewzky@gmail.com

lauren Wolﬀ and her family welcomed home their newborn son, Hunter.

Erica G. Bromberg and her family welcomed home baby Owen Haze, born on May 5, 2021.

1997

2001

CONTACT:

Amanda rubinstein Black amandahblack@gmail.com

Colin r. Griggs cgriggs13@yahoo.com

Alexander Hill, WBGO Afternoon News Anchor and Producer of Newark Today

Brian McGaughan bmcgaughan@gmail.com

1996 CONTACT:

Michael Shusteroff ’56 April 21, 2021

Smita ramanadham smitar2280md@gmail.com

Jason S. Granet grizo1222@yahoo.com

Congratulations to lauren Anderson Handwerker and her family who just welcomed home their baby girl Danielle, born on June 22, 2021.

Ben purkert’s poem, “A Violent End” , was published in the August 2021 issue of The Nation.

2007

2004

Catherine pfeﬀer catherine.pfeﬀer@gmail.com

CONTACT:

danielle Grunebaum Barrett dlsimon85@gmail.com Kathryn pagos katie.pagos@gmail.com Stephanie reingold simma.reingold@gmail.com louise Ball Schutte louisehira@gmail.com

2005 CONTACT:

Jonathan Allocca jonathan.allocca@gmail.com Gabriel Gaviola gabe.c.gaviola@gmail.com Molly McGaughan molly.mcgaughan@gmail.com Bridget duﬀy raines Bridgetpraines@gmail.com

CONTACT:

david doobin doobind@gmail.com

Emily Crystal emily.c.simon@me.com Andrew Somberg asomberg@gmail.com

Congratulations to Savannah Galbraith who welcomed home the newest member of her family, baby Georgie Francis Saﬁeh. Karen Kirk and husband Bryan Mills ’08 welcomed their ﬁrst child, son James, in late June 2021.

2008 CONTACT:

david Frank david.frank44@gmail.com

Alexa Gruber Kitchin alexa.gruber@richmond.edu Maximilian C. Staiger mstaiger41@me.com

2006 CONTACT:

Julia Appel appel.julie@gmail.com Sarah Marcus Hansen sarahmarcushansen@ gmail.com Brandon Hedvat bhedvat@gmail.com Ilana Mandelbaum Sterling ilana.mandelbaum@gmail.com Asia Stewart asiamstewart@gmail.com Amanda Addison welcomed home baby boy Davis Addison Julien with her husband. Allison Behrle and her husband welcomed their baby girl Quin home on Feb. 18, 2021. Congratulations to Alli and her family.

ryan Keur was named as a Top 10 Under 10 Alumni Award Recipient at Elon University. patricia rodrigues welcomed her baby girl Hadiya home. Congratulations to her and her family. Kimberly Vita Cornell celebrates the birth of her daughter, Taylor Brynn Cornell who was born on June 27.

2009

5. Salamishah Tillet ’92 was named a 2021 Andrew Carnegie Fellow.

CONTACT:

6. Edward Pursell ’02 and Director of Human Resources Sarah Guelich’s son, Graydon Michael Pursell.

Andrew S. Binger abinger1990@gmail.com

7. Amanda Addison ’06 and her baby boy Davis Addison Julien with Associate Dean of Student Life Kristin Duszak.

Christina A. Colizza christina.colizza@gmail.com

8. Rohan Sawhney ’11 and Tara Gadde ’11 graduated from medical school together. 9. Katie Johnson ’11 and her husband, Josiah Panza, at their wedding.

NEWArK ACAdEMY

C L A S S N OT E S

prianka Murthy is a clinical psychology doctoral candidate at University of Connecticut.

BECoME A ClASS AMBASSAdor! Class ambassadors perform a valuable service to the NA alumni community: they communicate school and class news, support key initiatives such as Reunion, and encourage participation in the Annual Fund. Sign up online at www.newarka.edu/classambassador.

2016 CONTACT:

Courtney Cooperman courtneycooperman@ comcast.net rebecca Curwin rebecca.curwin@gmail.com Shannon lam Webster shannonrlam@gmail.com Brian l. Silver briansilver0711@gmail.com

2010 CONTACT:

lisa Fischer lisasueﬁscher@gmail.com patrick Kelly patrick.o.d.kelly@gmail.com Brian McHugh mchugh.brian10@gmail.com

2011 CONTACT:

Sydney Hershman Smhershman@gmail.com Jordan I. Jett jordanjett13@gmail.com Jennifer Mandelbaum jmande15@bu.edu Jourdan McGhee jourdan.mcghee@gmail.com Chris Cutri is a Restoration Engineer at EDG Architecture and Engineering. Jordan Jett was promoted to Vice President at AEA Investors LP.

luMEN

I FALL 2021

rohan Sawhney and tara Gadde graduated from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School together.

Matt Cowen mcowen95@gmail.com

Katie Johnson married Josiah Panza on July 10, 2021.

Charlie Bushnell and Carly McMahon got married on Saturday, June 12, at the Short Hills Club.

2012

2014

CONTACT:

Shane S. Neibart ssneibart@gmail.com

Jai Ghose jghose@andrew.cmu.edu

Carissa E. Szlosek szlosek@wisc.edu

thomas pan tpan14@gmail.com

priya Shah was named an NJBIZ Public Healthcare Hero. She is the Dental Care and Education Chair for the New Jersey Medical Student Coalition (NJMSC). This past year, she co-authored and published the Kids Quarantine Challenge Book. She also created and spearheaded the Dental Care and Education Initiative.

lauren Whelan lmw025@bucknell.edu

2013 CONTACT:

SaVonne Anderson savonneanderson@gmail.com Nicole Andrzejewski nicole@go.wustl.edu

Jacob Wieseneck jwieseneck@gmail.com

2015 CONTACT:

Madeline delamielleure maddydelamielleure15@ gmail.com

Jacob Furst Jacobfurst20@gmail.com Joshua Martin Martinjoshua029@gmail.com Elizabeth Merrigan Elizabeth.merrigan16@ gmail.com Samuel Vazir samvazir@gmail.com Bryan Wilensky bryanwsemail@gmail.com Mackenna Woods Mackennavalle@gmail.com

2017 CONTACT:

Chloe Yu chloeyu@college.harvard.edu Recent graduate Anthony Giachin was named to the Patriot League First Team All Patriot League Baseball team.

Jasmine Gamboa jgamboa19@amherst.edu

2018

Nicholas Murray nsm407@gmail.com

Over the summer, Ben leit studied comedy in a program hosted by the Chicago improv group The Second City.

Zachary persing zcpersing@gmail.com Matthew thekkethala matt@learnforlife foundation.org

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2022 REUNION – JUNE 4 Celebrating years ending in 2 and 7

Celebrate and Reconnect with NA! LEARN MORE: www.newarka.edu/alumni