Newark Academy LUMEN Fall 2023

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LUMEN FA L L 2023

YEARS OF EXCELLENCE

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FROM THE EDITORS

This issue of LUMEN is also available online.

To view the interactive experience, visit: www.newarka.edu/lumen

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FA L L 2 0 2 3

CONTENTS

F E AT U R E S

11

250th Anniversary Historical Timeline

39

Newark Scholars: Where Are They Now?

IN THIS ISSUE

7 Throwback Trivia

23

NA Arts History

26

NA Athletics Through The Years

32

Faculty Focus

42

Impact Report on Giving

46

Alumni News

52

Class Notes

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

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LUMEN FALL 2023 Donald M. Austin Head of School Lou Scerra Chief Strategy Officer

FROM DONALD M. AUSTIN, HEAD OF SCHOOL

EDITORS

Dr. Renée Walker Director of Communications and Marketing Julie Kayzerman Assistant Director of Communications and Marketing ASSISTANT EDITORS

David Beckman Evan Nisenson ’99 Lou Scerra Barbara Sine CONTRIBUTORS

Jim Coe

Noelle Shirey

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Anthony Bianciella Michael Branscom Brian Hatton

Da Ping Luo James Worrell Joy Yagid

DESIGNER

Symmetre Design Group COVER ART

Katherine Guo ’24 BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Executive Committee Samuel W. Croll III ’68 Chairman Lawrence G. Cetrulo ’67 Secretary

Our Enduring Strength

Patricia Budziak Marika Alzadon ’89 Lauren Hedvat ’01 Donald M. Austin Wayne D. Kent ’85 John H. Bess ’69 Robert Marcus

As I write to you today, we are a few months into a very special year that celebrates Newark Academy’s 250th anniversary,

Trustees Millwood Hobbs, Jr. Rohit Bawa ’93 Rebecca Moll-Freed ’94 Debra Caplan Basel Kayyali David Castelblanco Andrew Kogan ’90 David Crall Lisa Powers Dr. Ajay Dhankhar Michael Rockoff ’87 Lorraine Dias-Sotiriou Rasheea S. Williams Hall ’95 Robert Fink Dr. Kalenah Witcher ’87 Karen Guy-Smith Elizabeth Christou Woodall

also known as its sestercentennial. We kicked off the school year with a series of milestones, including the introduction of a new alma mater composed and written by faculty member Jack Bender and the dedication of a new plaque affixed to a rock in Newark’s Harriet Tubman Square that commemorates

Emeriti Louis V. Aronson II ’41 Joe McGrath ’81 William Bloom David McGraw ’77 Paul Busse ’38* John L. McGraw ’49 Robert Del Tufo ’51* Jon Olesky ’74 William D. Green ’69 Ellen Polaner David Hardin ’73 Robert S. Puder ’38* William D. Hardin ’44* Gary Rose Nancy Baird Harwood ’75 Julianne Rose Kim Hirsh ’80 Bob Silver Jeff Kaplan William T. Wachenfeld ’44 K. Kelly Marx ’51 Jane Wilf

the first Academy building in 1774.

Looking back at the school’s storied history, one of the questions I have been frequently thinking about is “what is the secret to Newark Academy’s longevity?” This issue of LUMEN answers that question in a commemorative edition that highlights the many ways in which the school continues to not only overcome difficult challenges, but also flourish as a leader of independent school education. The visual historical timelines celebrate the school’s resiliency, adaptability,

*Deceased

and innovation, tracking the school’s evolution across five different

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 LUMEN is produced twice a year by the Newark Academy Office of Communications and Marketing.

locations and two and a half centuries.

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Can You Find the Red-Winged Blackbird?

Newark Academy’s enduring strength can be directly attributed to its people. In addition to our early school leaders, the school’s success is a result of the talented faculty and staff, both past and present, whose expertise in the classroom and unwavering commitment to students have allowed our school to provide

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

a first-in-class education. Our students are consistently encouraged to take intellectual risks, think creatively and find joy and meaning in their learning. I am proud to report that these remain hallmarks of a Newark Academy education.

As we reflect on the past 250 years, we are reminded of the countless individuals who have generously supported this institution. We feel particularly indebted to those of you who contributed to the Newark Academy Fund during our 249th year. Last year, we raised more than $1.5 million, the largest amount ever contributed to the NA Fund. You can read more about the impact of those gifts in this issue.

We invite you to dive into the rich tapestry of Newark Academy’s past as our school both looks back at our first 250 years and plans for our future. We also welcome you to join our ongoing 250th anniversary celebrations throughout the year, including at our schoolwide event on May 4. It will be a moment to remember, and we look forward to seeing you there!

In each issue of LUMEN, there is a hidden red-winged blackbird (see above) located somewhere in the pages of the magazine.

Can you find it?

Once you spot it, email us at communications@newarka.edu

by December 31, 2023 with its location to be entered for a chance to win NA SWAG! Red-winged blackbird illustration by Tess Kesler ’22.

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NA NEWS

Newark Academy Kicks Off Its

HISTORIC 250TH YEAR Newark Academy students, faculty, staff and representatives from the Alumni Board of Governors gathered to kick off the Academy’s historic 250th school year with the annual Convocation ceremony on Wednesday, September 6, in the Coraci Performance Hall. The event included a keynote address by Pulitzer Prize winner Dr. Salamishah Tillet ’92, the debut of a 250th anniversary celebration video and the recognition of long-serving faculty and staff.

“Newark Academy has endured for 250 years because of its spirit of resilience, the resolve and commitments of its teachers and leaders, and the school’s capacity to adapt,” said Head of School Donald M. Austin in his welcoming remarks. “We all benefit from the experience of those that have come before us … Simply knowing that thousands of students who walked these halls before you faced similar challenges and have gone on to live lives of meaning and purpose should give you the confidence to know that you too will thrive and succeed, even if there are setbacks along the way.”

School Council President Jamie Shen ’24 addressed her peers and encouraged them to embrace change, even when it may be daunting. “As we come together and celebrate the 250th year of evolution that has brought us the education,

Dr. Salamishah Tillet ’92 delivers the keynote address at Newark Academy’s Convocation.

arts, athletics and community we have today, I would like to tell everyone in

During her keynote speech, Salamishah

“You have more access to information

this room that you are exactly where

asked that students spend this historic

than any generation before you, which

you’re supposed to be, doing exactly

year celebrating investigation, diving

means that you understand how the

what you’re supposed to be doing and

into inquiry, embracing life’s messi-

past lives on today and also how we

being exactly who you’re supposed

ness, trying to repair what has been

might learn from it to be kinder to each

to be,” she said. “Just like Newark

lost and being excited about what there

other, to look out for one another and

Academy … you just need time to grow.”

is to discover.

to actually change the inequalities that

‘‘

Newark Academy has endured for 250 years because of its spirit of resilience, the resolve and commitments of its teachers and leaders, and the school’s capacity to adapt.”

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– Donald M. Austin, Head of School

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Faculty & Staff MILESTONES At Convocation, the following faculty and staff were recognized for longevity milestones.

A.

NA’s Head of School Donald M. Austin and Keynote Speaker Dr. Salamishah Tillet ’92

‘‘

You have more access to information than any generation before you, which means that you understand how the past lives on today and also how we might learn from it to be kinder to each other…”

B.

C.

D.

E.

– Dr. Salamishah Tillet ’92

we’ve inherited that benefit some of us while still hurting many of us today,” she said.

Concluding her remarks, Salamishah looked 250 years into the future with hope that a later generation of Newark Academy students will look back on

A. 5 YEARS: Jim Coe, Noelle Shirey, Cori Eggert, Danny Petrillo ’06, Ian Vallone, Kathleen Ollen and Rochelle Edwards

this generation with pride.

B. 10 YEARS: Alexis Romay, Moussa Fall, Dana Pomykala and Jessica Cohen

The ceremony concluded with the singing of NA’s new alma mater,

C. 15 YEARS: Jeff Vinikoor, Lisa Mulligan, Beth Sparacino, Eileen Petrillo and Marissa Stephenson

“Toward the Light,” composed by

D. 20 YEARS: Rich DiBianca and Tom Ashburn

Music Teacher Jack Bender, performed

by Academy Voices and conducted by

E. 30 YEARS: Nancy Celente and Deb Tavares

Arts Department Chair Viraj Lal.

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NA NEWS

I

SOCIAL MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS

Barbenheimer Day During Spirit Week, our students had a blast dressing up as Barbie or Oppenheimer during Barbenheimer Day!

Traveling Back in Time To conclude Newark Academy’s 249th school year and shepherd in the 250th, more than 130 faculty and staff members gathered for a bus tour of the school’s four previous locations in Newark this past June. #250YearsofNA

Fall Homecoming Festival Our annual Fall Homecoming Festival and pep rally capped off an epic Spirit Week at NA! We loved seeing your school spirit and pride during our community-wide gathering!

Follow Us to Stay Updated on All Things NA Instagram: @NewarkAcadem

y

Senior Mountain Day Throwback In honor of this almost 50-year tradition, we’re throwing it back to Senior Mountain Day trips from ’76, ’77 and ’94! #250YearsofNA #TBT

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Facebook: @NewarkAcadem y X: @NewarkAcadem

y

LinkedIn: @NewarkAcadem y

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NA NEWS

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TRIVIA

THROWBACK TRIVIA! The Spring 2009 issue of Newark Academy’s magazine, then called Outreach, tested the NA community with trivia questions through the decades. We’re re-running a few of our favorite questions from the issue and adding a few for the 2010’s. If you get stuck, the answers are at the bottom of this page. Good luck!

1950s & 1960s 1. Who were the “Four Horsemen” of the 1961 NA football team?

2. What was the name of NA’s first rock ’n’ roll musical group, organized by the members of the Guitar Club in 1965?

3. What was the quotation in Bob Hendrickson’s office?

1970s & 1980s 4. What was Joe Borlo’s signature phrase in his German classes in the mid-70’s?

1990s & 2000s 7. Which varsity team “borrowed” the school’s canoe?

8. Which esteemed faculty member had an unwavering

5. What year did the Stanley Cone Tournament start?

6. NA had its first girls’ soccer team in what year?

passion for frogs?

9. Which famous pop singer was rumored to have applied to Newark Academy?

2010s 10. In what year were the first classes held in the new Upper School Wing?

11. What was the destination of NA’s first Immersion trip outside of Europe and the Americas?

12. Which June Term course filled up first every time it was offered?

12) Food and the American Identity with Mrs. Schottland 4) Schnellar, fellar! 5) 1984 6) 1987 7) The 1999 ice hockey team 8) Hampton Abney 9) Britney Spears 10) 2012 11) Sutlej River Valley in Northern India Answers: 1) The Class of 1962’s Pat Ciccone, Ralph Pellechia, Whitney Russell and Mickey Yeager 2) The Rejects 3) “I don’t care how much you know until I know how much you care.”

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NA NEWS

STUDENT SPOTLIGHTS ▲

NAACP Newark ACT-SO Award Winners

Kieri Keys ’24 and Tiana Evans ’24 each earned accolades in the NAACP Newark Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO) program. The ACT-SO is a year-long academic and cultural enrichment mentoring program in which students attend master classes in their respective categories and work on individual projects to showcase at an annual statewide competition.

Kieri earned a gold medal award in the sculpture category and Tiana received a silver medal in written poetry. Kieri’s gold medal gave her a spot in the

Mehmet Acikel ’24

NJ Chemistry Olympiad

National Sculpture competition, where she took home a bronze medal.

▲

This past spring, Mehmet Acikel ’24 was one of just 15 students from Northern New Jersey — and one of 1,000 nationwide — who advanced to the National Chemistry Olympiad exam. Mehmet earned this prestigious spot with his outstanding performance in three separate tests in the NJ Chemistry Olympiad, which he’d spent months preparing for with NA science teacher Dr. William “Bill” Hobson.

Kieri Keys ’24

Strategic Plan 2023-2027: Putting People First Newark Academy’s 2023-2027 strategic plan, Putting People First, builds on the institution’s many strengths while offering an aspirational and inspirational roadmap for the future. The plan’s four goals are to: 1) Support faculty and staff — our greatest asset 2) Prioritize an excellent student experience 3) Promote authentic and meaningful community engagement 4) Commit to impactful spaces and sustainable practices Scan the QR code to view the full plan.

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Tiana Evans ’24

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11 CHANGE-MAKERS Inducted as Trustee Emeriti

Since its founding, Newark Academy has been guided by a group of leaders who have helped steer the course of the school. In 1774, NA’s founder Reverend Alexander Macwhorter, alongside a group of men then referred to as “governors,” became responsible for overseeing the construction and initial operations of the school. When the Academy reopened in 1792 after being burned down by the British, a more formal Board of Trustees was formed, with Isaac Gouverneur as its first president.

250 years after its founding, Newark Academy — with the trustees at its helm — continues to fulfill its mission by graduating leaders year after year. On October 4, 2023, Newark Academy bestowed the honor of trustee emeritus on 11 former trustees who have served on the Board for at least six years and made significant contributions or impacts to the school.

n William Bloom - Years of service:

n Jeff Kaplan - Years of service:

2009-2017, Co-Chair and Rise & Flourish Campaign Executive Committee Member

2009-2019, Rise & Flourish Campaign Executive Committee Chair

service: 1985-2006, Fulton MacArthur Award recipient n Kim Hirsh ’80 - Years of service:

2008-2017, Fulton MacArthur Award recipient, Women of NA honoree, Rise & Flourish Campaign Executive Committee Member

behind NA’s progress on access and affordability n Jon Olesky ’74 - Years of service:

2009-2015, former Board Chair during the Rise & Flourish Campaign, Fulton MacArthur Award recipient, leader of the Athletic Excellence for Newark Academy study after serving as varsity cross country and track and field coach n Ellen Polaner - Years of service:

1983-2004, Women of NA honoree

The newly inducted trustee emeriti include:

n David Hardin ’73 - Years of

Jeff Kaplan, Kim Hirsch ’80 and Bob Silver accept their trustee emeriti honors on October 4, 2023.

n Joe McGrath ’81 - Years of service:

2003-2013, Fulton MacArthur Award recipient, Rise & Flourish Campaign Executive Committee Member n David McGraw ’77 - Years of

service: 2007-2020, former Board Chair during the Rise & Flourish Campaign, Fulton MacArthur Award recipient, driving force

n Julianne Rose - Years of service:

1998-2006, Women of NA honoree n Bob Silver - Years of service:

2005-2011, Chair of the Advancement Committee n Jane Wilf - Years of service:

2006-2018, Rise & Flourish Campaign Executive Committee Member, 2013 AFP Outstanding Philanthropist Award recipient

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NA NEWS

NEW TRUSTEES SPOTLIGHT Basel Kayyali — Current Parent Basel and his wife, Andrea, have two children at NA, Alexander ’27 and Madeleine ’25. In addition to serving as a member of NA’s Strategic Planning Committee, Basel sits on the board of his undergraduate alma mater, Pennsylvania State University’s Schreyer Honors College.

Basel Kayyali is a senior partner at McKinsey & Company, a global consulting firm where he heads the McKinsey Healthcare and Public Sector Digital and Analytics Practice globally. He has worked primarily with several large prominent high-tech and telecom

clients across a wide range of topics. In addition, he serves healthcare and public sector clients on large digital and analytic transformations and has more than a decade of experience operating at the intersection of healthcare, technology and operations. Prior to McKinsey, Basel spent three and a half years at Intel Corporation, as a marketing strategist and processor architect who helped design the Pentium III processor.

Basel graduated valedictorian from Pennsylvania State University’s Schreyer Honors College with an electrical engineering degree and earned his M.B.A.

from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania as a Palmer Scholar — the highest distinction bestowed to the top five percent of the graduating class.

Lorraine Dias-Sotiriou — NAPA President Lorraine and her husband, Evan, are parents to Sebastian ’24 and Carolina ’25. Lorraine is currently the president of the Newark Academy Parents Association (NAPA). She was the NAPA vice president during the 2022-23 school year and an Upper School parent liaison in 2021-22.

Lorraine is the chair of the Board of Trustees of the Moms Helping Moms Foundation, serving also as chair of the foundation’s finance committee. Over the last nine years, she has focused on strategic planning and finance issues with the Moms Helping Moms leadership team to shepherd the foundation’s exponential growth in providing New Jersey families with the essentials they need for their children, such as diapers, clothing, car seats, toiletries and period products.

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company address the stages of its own monumental growth. Most recently, she headed the Corporate Services Division, which oversaw the Project Management Office, Corporate Sourcing and Vendor Management Office, and Facilities and Real Estate. Lorraine was also a key leader of the merger team for the Deutsche Boerse (a majority owner of the ISE) and NY Stock Exchange merger.

Prior to the ISE, Lorraine also worked for Merrill Lynch, the American Stock Exchange and Price Waterhouse.

Lorraine has held various senior management positions in the financial exchange and banking industries. She spent nearly 11 years at the International Securities Exchange (ISE) in various cross-functional positions helping the

Lorraine has an M.S. in management of technology from New York University (Polytechnic University) and a B.S. in international business and management from Northeastern University.

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250

TH

ANNIVERSARY

1774 - 2 ₀ 24 HISTORICAL TIMELINE

Since its founding in 1774, Newark Academy has occupied five different locations, overcome difficult challenges and flourished as a leader in independent school education. During its 250th anniversary year, we invite you to learn more about the Academy’s past through the following visual historical timeline.

✷

✷

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250TH ANNIVERSARY

1782 | Newark Academy reopens in rented quarters as an all-boys school “May this Academy rise and flourish … promote useful learning … and diffuse far and wide the beams of that sun of liberty, which has arisen in this western hemisphere.”

- Reverend Alexander Macwhorter, 1782

1792 | Rising from the Ashes The cornerstone is laid for the second Newark Academy building at the corner of Broad and Academy Streets in Newark.

1774 | The Academy is Founded Newark Academy was founded by a group of civic leaders and Presbyterian minister Alexander Macwhorter. The Academy is unique in enrolling students from a wide range of backgrounds, offering courses in trades and business skills and establishing a division for girls.

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1776 | Declaring Independence

1780 | Temporary Setback

The United States declares independence from Great Britain.

British troops attack Newark Academy in search of Continental soldiers stationed there during the ongoing Revolutionary War. The Academy building is burned to the ground.

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250TH ANNIVERSARY

1797 | Construction of the Academy’s second location is completed.

1802 | Girls return to the school and a dedicated wing is added.

1825 | Lafayette Visits Marquis de Lafayette, the famous Frenchman who fought for the United States Continental Army during the Revolutionary War, visited Newark Academy during the course of his travels.

Ad Lumen — Toward the Light Newark Academy first adopted a seal in 1802, featuring a book inscribed with the words of the school’s founder Alexander Macwhorter: “Will faithfully endeavor to promote useful learning and secure good morals in this institution and diffuse far and wide the beams of that sun of liberty.” The seal was updated in 1888 and then again to its current design in 1984, to bear the school’s motto, “Ad Lumen”—meaning “toward the light.”

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250TH ANNIVERSARY

1857 | On the Move NA moves to its third location at the intersection of High, William and Shipman Streets in Newark (eventually, High Street would be renamed Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard). Under the direction of the Reverend Frederick A. Adams, NA establishes a full four-year high school curriculum and continues to enroll boys and girls.

1857 | Curriculum Catalog The first modern Newark Academy Catalog was published in 1857, providing a detailed four-year curriculum with courses in English, mathematics, science, history, geography, bookkeeping, “Mental and Moral Sciences,” rhetoric, ancient and modern languages, art, music, and gymnastics and calisthenics (strength training).

1859-1865; 1875-1908 | The Farrand Era Begins Samuel Farrand serves as Headmaster and establishes Newark Academy as an all-boys school. Under his leadership, enrollment increases and the Academy’s reputation grows.

“For forming the character of a child it is important that his better emotions be continually called into exercise.”

— Samuel Farrand, Headmaster, 1859-1865, 1875-1908

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250TH ANNIVERSARY

1882 | The Class of 1882 is the earliest class picture in the archives.

1883 | Athletics Arrives Newark Academy introduced extra-curricular athletics in 1883. However, the first team for which we have solid evidence of its existence was the football team in 1885.

1861 | Serving the Nation In response to the outbreak of the Civil War, Newark Academy hosted a number of cadets who readied for battle should their nation call upon their service.

1865 | Semi-Annual Examinations These Semi-Annual Examinations were given to students in the 1860s.

The copies in the Newark Academy Archives include Junior Department Arithmetic, Middle Department Greek, Middle Department Latin and Senior Department Latin.

Morning Meeting Morning Meeting at Newark Academy is a community tradition that likely dates back to the Farrand era. These meetings initially began as chapel services and included a Bible reading, hymn and prayer. These chapel services continued during the move to Livingston despite a large Jewish student population — the auditorium even had a recessed pit for the organ. Within five years of the move to Livingston, Morning Meeting became completely secularized, transitioning into the gatherings we partake in today which celebrate student achievements and cultivate a close-knit school community.

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250TH ANNIVERSARY

1890 | The Polymnian The Polymnian makes its first appearance as a magazine created by students in the Polymnian Literary and Debating Society.

1927 | NA’s First Yearbook The Polymnian is first published as an independent yearbook.

1908 | A New Headmaster Headmaster Samuel Farrand dies at the age of 78 and is succeeded by his son, Wilson Farrand.

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1911 | Spelling Aid Issued

1929 | Fourth Location

Newark Academy’s Fifty “Dangerous” Words Frequently Misspelled in Upper Form Compositions was an aid issued to students to help fortify their studies.

Newark Academy moves to its fourth and final Newark location along the historic Morris Canal on First Street. This building features NA’s signature cupola.

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250TH ANNIVERSARY

1935 | Farrand Era Ends Wilson Farrand retires as Headmaster, closing out a combined 66 years of leadership by the Farrands.

1940 | Minute Man Mascot The Newark Academy “Minute Man” mascot is created by Dean H. Upgrove of the Class of 1916.

1939 | English V Here’s an example of an English V Exam from January 1939.

1940 | First Student Newspaper Students begin a newspaper, The Newark Academy News, later renamed The Minute Man.

1956 | Robert M. Butler 1940 | World War II

is named Headmaster.

H. Paul Abbott, the first Headmaster born in the 20th century, adds naval science and aviation to the curriculum in the wake of World War II. NEWARK ACADEMY

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250TH ANNIVERSARY

1970 | Return to

Coeducation 1964 | Move to Livingston

Newark Academy returns

Newark Academy sells the First Street property and moves to its 68-acre campus in Livingston, under the leadership of Headmaster Robert M. Butler.

to its coeducational roots following a unanimous vote by the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees to admit girls.

1966 | Honoring Our Brave Newark Academy dedicates the football and track field in memory of Medal of Honor recipient Samuel S. Coursen ’45, who was killed during the Korean War.

1971 Newark Academy enrolls its first cohort of young women since 1859.

“The attitude and atmosphere prevalent within Newark Academy has taken definite change for the better.”

— E. Standish Bradford, Jr., Headmaster, 1967-1977

1967 | E. Standish Bradford, Jr. is named Headmaster.

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250TH ANNIVERSARY

1972 | Steering the Future Trustees, administrators and faculty hold a leadership conference to discuss the future of NA. The conference’s conclusion is that Newark Academy needs to be innovative to prepare students for their entire futures, not just college.

1979 | Allan E. Strand is named Headmaster.

1974 | Bicentennial President Richard Nixon congratulates Newark Academy for its bicentennial celebration.

1991 | IB Diploma Newark Academy becomes the first school in New Jersey to offer the International Baccalaureate diploma as part of the curriculum.

1974 | Hawkes Library Completed The new Richard C. Hawkes Memorial Library (officially dedicated in 1982) is completed.

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250TH ANNIVERSARY

1992 | Arts Center The 20,000-square-foot Elizabeth B. McGraw Arts Center opens with new instrumental and choral facilities, classrooms and studios for ceramics, drawing, printmaking, painting and photography. It is also now home to the Lautenberg “Black Box” Theater for acting students and the David Teiger ’47 Gallery for Studio Arts to showcase student art and the works of artists-in-residence.

2001 | Field House The Simon Family Field House is completed, adding 57,000 square feet to the school, featuring a gymnasium, six-lane pool, fitness center, locker rooms, athletics offices and storage space.

1997 | First Female Head of School Elizabeth “Penney” Riegelman is named the first female Head of School.

1999 | 225 Years!

Newark Academy celebrates its 225th anniversary.

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2001 | Schedule Change Newark Academy changes its daily schedule from eight, 41-minute periods to six, 55-minute periods to prioritize depth of inquiry.

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250TH ANNIVERSARY

2001 | Off-Campus Study The Board of Trustees approves tuition forgiveness for Off-Campus Study, allowing students to attend semester schools around the globe each year.

2007 | At the Helm

2002 | Nature Trail

“A common spirit and purpose

Donald M. Austin is named the Academy’s 49th Head of School.

bind the Newark Academy

The Carol J. Heaney Nature Trail opens with two outdoor classrooms, an astronomy lookout and a pond for aquatic biology and chemistry studies.

community together, as do the traditions we share.”

— Donald M. Austin, Head of School, 2007-present

2008 | Global Speaker Series Newark Academy launches the Global Speaker Series, bringing distinguished individuals from around the world to enrich students’ understanding and broaden their intellectual horizons. One of the first speakers in the series was Ethan Zohn, winner of Survivor: Africa.

2003

“Stay true to your core values and make happiness real for others.”

— Ethan Zohn, Global Speaker

2009 | Immersion Experiences NA institutes the Immersion Experience requirement and kicks off the program with an inaugural trip to Madrid, Spain.

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250TH ANNIVERSARY

2011 | June Term and Capstone Experiences June Term and Capstone Experiences kickoff during the final two weeks of school, replacing spring exams.

2012 | Upper School Academic Center The Catherine and Frank Petrello Upper School Academic Center is completed, including the addition of Kaltenbacher Hall, an octagonal lecture hall.

2012 | Kacur Field

2013 | Coursen Memorial Field

Renovation and dedication of Kacur Field is completed.

Renovation of Coursen Memorial Field is completed.

2018 | Wilf Middle School

2024

The Wilf Middle School wing opens with two floors of classrooms, labs, offices and common spaces.

Newark Academy celebrates its 250th Anniversary!

2020 | Coraci Performance Hall The Coraci Performance Hall is completed.

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Scan the QR code to watch the anniversary video.

S A V E T H E DA T E !

M A Y 4 , 2024

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ARTS

NEWARK ACADEMY ARTS HISTORY After Newark Academy’s first location was burned down by British troops, a committee was formed in 1791 to fund a new building for the Academy. According to Suzanne Geissler’s 1993 book A Widening Sphere of Usefulness: Newark Academy 1774-1993, the group specifically included the teaching of the arts in their educational plans.

In 1796, we know that a space in NA’s second location was

In addition, students can participate in 20 different choral

rented to a dance teacher named Mr. Mitchell. In 1802, the

and instrumental groups, seven visual art exhibits, two major

Academy opened a girls’ division and began advertising

drama productions and two major dance productions

classes for drawing and for vocal and instrumental music.

each year.

Today, Newark Academy’s arts program offers eight disciplines of study: photography, dance, choral music, instrumental music, theater, visual arts, film and technical theater.

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ARTS

MEMORABLE MOMENTS The Laramie Project 2002 - NA’s Drama Production is Featured in The New York Times In 2002, Newark Academy was among the first high schools to stage Moisés Kaufman’s play The Laramie Project, which shed light on the 1998 murder of Matthew Shepard as an anti-gay hate crime and on the need for stricter hate crime laws. On December 1, 2002, Newark Academy’s production of The Laramie Project, directed by then-Director of Theater Arts Scott M. Jacoby, was featured in the Sunday New York Times arts and leisure section.

“The community was awakened, and shortly thereafter, a Gay-Straight Alliance was formed,” says Scott. “Newark Academy had taken a major step towards fostering greater understanding throughout our increasingly diverse community.”

2018 - NA’s Second Production of The Laramie Project Sparks Curriculum Change In 2018, 20 years after the death of Matthew Shepard, Director of Theater Arts Rachel Shapiro Cooper directed the

2006 – Lyric and Vigoroso Trip to Ireland In 2006, Upper School a cappella singing groups, Lyric and Vigoroso (now Academy Voices and LumeNAtion), ventured overseas to Ireland. Students were hosted by local families and were treated to several special events.

Highlights of the tour included performances at a hospital for mentally disabled

school’s second production of The Laramie Project. Reggie Fluty, the policewoman who first responded to the crime scene in Laramie, was in touch with NA cast members, and Cathy Renna of the National LGBTQ Task Force served as a consultant on the production.

The Laramie Project is now a fixture of the NA theater program’s curriculum: all sophomore acting students present excerpts from the play when learning about verbatim theater and the impact of theater on social justice issues.

adults, an evening with a Keats scholar, and singing in a cathedral in Dublin’s city center.

For 12 years during spring break, the singers went on tour performing at hospitals, nursing homes, schools and special events. Touring destinations included New Orleans; Boston; Washington, D.C.; the Berkshires; Martha’s Vineyard and Charleston, S.C. Acclaimed dancer Jonathan Lee was the Artist-in-Residence in 2015.

2007 – Artist-in-Residence Program Launches In Fall 2007, the Artist-in-Residence Program welcomed its first artist, Bill Bowers, a professional mime, actor, storyteller and educator. The program has since hosted many incredible

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performing and visual artists each year, including two alumni: Thomas Bradshaw ’98, a Guggenheim Fellowship Award recipient, actor and playwright; and Tracy Jacobson ’06, a bassoonist and founding member of the wind quintet WindSync.

TIME-HONORED TRADITIONS 24-Hour Playwriting Festival In 2008, then Director of Theatre Arts Scott M. Jacoby launched NA’s first 24-Hour Playwriting Festival. This formative experience for those in advanced acting pushes students to write, act and direct an original play and perform it — all within just 24 hours!

6:30 p.m. — Sound check takes place while actors get into costume.

7:30 p.m. — Showtime!

This tradition — which many students have cited as instrumental in their decision to pursue theater arts after graduation — remains a pivotal experiential learning opportunity 15 years after its inception.

O Holy Night and Hallelujah Chorus For over 16 years, since Arts Department Chair Viraj Lal became Choral Director, the winter choral concert has concluded with the singing of “O Holy Night” and “Hallelujah Chorus,” with alumni and audience members joining the choir on stage.

Essentially Ellington

While it has gone through changes and is no longer an on-campus overnight, the schedule goes something like this: 6 p.m. — Arrive on campus for various team-building activities, prop exploration exercises, and theater work.

Newark Academy’s jazz band, Chameleon, regularly qualifies as one of 15 finalists in the nation for the highly-regarded Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Competition & Festival at New York City’s Jazz at Lincoln Center. The group has made seven appearances at the festival and has also won 11 straight New Jersey Association for Jazz Education (NJAJE) state championships.

8 p.m. — Writers brainstorm with faculty and NA alumni.

Actors and directors continue to participate in team building and other workshops.

10 p.m. — Students depart campus.

11 p.m. - 7:30 a.m. — Each playwright writes a script throughout the night, collaborating with NA theater alumni and faculty via Zoom.

8:30 a.m. — All students return to campus, have breakfast and participate in the first table read of the scripts! Revisions are quickly made.

10 a.m. — Playwrights are encouraged to nap. Actors and directors begin rehearsal.

2:30 p.m. — Directors hand in technical notes for lighting as well as set and costume requests to faculty, who pull the items needed and prepare the lighting.

3 p.m. — Directors and actors rehearse plays and work on memorization while the technical directors prepare.

6 p.m. — Everyone breaks for dinner.

The Community Art Exhibit The Community Art Exhibit is a 20-year-old tradition in which all members from the NA community — students, faculty, staff, alumni, parents and friends — contribute works of art inspired by a common theme. The artwork is featured in the David Teiger ’47 Gallery for Studio Arts throughout the month of January each year.

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ATHLETICS

NA’s football team defeated Montclair Academy, 14-0, to tie for first place in the North Jersey Ivy League in 1959.

MINUTEMEN ATHLETICS THROUGH THE YEARS Organized athletics made its way to Newark Academy in the 1880s.

The first team for which we have solid evidence of its existence

Today, Newark Academy offers a robust athletics program

was the football team, which began playing in Fall 1885 and

of 16 interscholastic sports in the Upper School and 14

was organized entirely by students. The team played two

interscholastic sports in the Middle School. In its history, the

games that first season, against Pingry and Newark

Minutemen have won over 400 total championship titles.

High School.

Blast from the Past: Retired Sports at NA Did you know that Newark Academy once had teams in gymnastics, cheerleading, ice hockey, bowling and skiing?

A.

A. The 1892 NA football team.

B. The 1902 NA basketball team.

C. The 1901 NA baseball team.

B.

C.

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MEMORABLE MOMENTS 1931 — Undefeated and Unscored Upon The 1931 Minutemen football team closed out a historic season: not only were they undefeated state champions, but they never allowed their opponents to score! In 1995, the team was inducted into the Newark Academy Athletic Hall of Fame.

1971 — Baseball Legend Goes to College World Series Remember our legendary Minutemen catcher, Dr. William “Bill” D. Hardin ’71? He went on to play for Harvard University, where he was part of a team that earned a berth in the College World Series, and later played for the Italian National Baseball Team. He was inducted into the NA Hall of Fame in 2021 for his athletic accomplishments. Off the field, Bill pursued a career as a surgeon and is currently saving lives as the associate chief medical officer and professor of surgery at Children’s Hospital Colorado.

1984 — The Stanley Cone This annual floor hockey tournament began in 1984 as an Upper School tradition. It has since become a Middle School staple. The winner of the tournament earns bragging rights and adds their names to an unattractive but glorious orange construction cone — the revered Stanley Cone!

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ATHLETICS

MEMORABLE MOMENTS (CONTINUED)

1988 — NA Alum Swims to Olympic Gold!

Just five years after graduating from Newark Academy, Christopher C. Jacobs ’83 won two gold medals and a silver medal while representing the United States at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea. He received his first gold medal as the lead swimmer in the men’s 4×100-meter freestyle relay, and his second gold medal as the anchor freestyle leg of the men’s 4×100-meter medley relay. He capped off the games with an individual silver medal in the men’s 100-meter freestyle event. During his senior year at NA, Chris was named an All-American, and he was inducted into the NA Hall of Fame in 1989.

2020 — Minutemen Alum is a First-Round WNBA Draft Pick Newark Academy basketball legend and 2016 New Jersey Gatorade Player of the Year Jocelyn Willoughby ’16 was selected as a first-round draft pick in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) in 2020. She currently plays for the New York Liberty. Learn more about Jocelyn on page 40.

2014 — NA Soccer Star Signs with Sky Blue!

If you attended Newark Academy between 2006 and 2010, you’ll remember soccer star Maya Hayes ’10.

Maya was a standout on the field, concluding her NA career with 92 goals — 38 of which she scored during her senior year. Maya went on to have a stellar career with the Penn State Nittany Lions and became the youngest member of the United States Women’s U-20 soccer team. In 2014, she was a National Women’s Soccer League first-round draft pick (sixth overall) by New Jersey’s Sky Blue Football Club. Maya played for the team as a forward until 2018. She now coaches at the University of Minnesota and was inducted into the NA Hall of Fame in 2015.

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LONG-STANDING TRADITIONS Field Day In 1888, the first official Field Day was held. Students competed against each other in several activities including the 100-meter dash, high jump, 440-yard run, potato race, tug of war and broad jump. Today, field day remains at NA as an annual Middle School tradition held each June.

Tennis — Pre-match Visualization Since 1991, the boys’ and girls’ tennis teams have practiced a visualization technique to get into the right mindset to compete. All players sit in a circle with a tennis ball in front of them and spend 60 seconds visualizing what success will look like on that day.

This has helped lead both the girls’ and boys’ programs to state-wide success including a combined 23 Tournament of Champions victories, 63 state group titles, 40 conference championships and 33 county titles.

Softball — Bury the Ball In an annual tradition from 2007 to 2017, the seniors on the Newark Academy softball team signed a ball at the last practice of the season and buried it under the pine tree along South Orange Avenue — or, in the first few years of the tradition, on the Middle School softball field, where the team then played.

Field Hockey — NAFH Olympics The Newark Academy field hockey (NAFH) program continues to hold its “NAFH Olympics” each year during preseason.

In this tradition, which dates back more than a decade, the NAFH cohort is split into two teams, red and black, to compete in various field hockey-related challenges until one is crowned the NAFH Olympic Champions!

Atlantic Sports Health Of昀cial Sports Medicine Provider of Newark Academy

atlantichealth.org/sports ASH-45181-22

NEWARK ACADEMY

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EQUITY AND INCLUSION

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at NA

THROUGH THE YEARS A Brief History of Coeducation 1774 — Newark Academy is coeducational at its founding in 1774.

1792 — After the school is burned down by British troops, it reopens in 1792 as an all-boys school.

Eventually, girls return to the school at the end of the decade.

1802 — A wing for the girls’ division is added.

‘‘

The greatest thing Newark Academy offered me was opportunity. The sky can be the limit when people are just given an opportunity to succeed.”

– Dr. Eleby R. Washington III ’69

1969 — Dr. Eleby R. Washington III ’69 is the first Black graduate of Newark Academy.

1971 — Hari Sharma is hired to teach science, becoming the first known faculty member of color.

1974 — NA’s first Black Students Union (BSU) is created. Over the years, the club went through several transformations, changing its name to the Black Awareness Club in 1980 and later to Umoja to encourage unity among Black students on NA’s campus.

1859 — Samuel Farrand becomes Headmaster and re-establishes Newark Academy as an all-boys school.

1971 — Coeducation finally returns to Newark Academy under the leadership of Headmaster E. Standish Bradford, Jr., with a cohort of 49 girls in September 1971.

2009 — Newark Academy hosts its first Women of NA luncheon to honor standout female alumni.

2023 — Newark Academy hosts its first-ever Women’s Summit, bringing many generations of NA women together to explore how the school is working toward

2003

empowering and cultivating female leaders.

The Black and Latino Family Network (BLFN) is created and holds its first annual end-of-year BBQ.

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NA students host the first New Jersey Student of Color Conference in 2019.

School Council sponsors the creation

2019

2020

of the Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA)

Students create the New Jersey

In the aftermath of the racial reckon-

Students of Color Conference (NJSCC).

ing of the summer of 2020, Newark

This conference continues annually to

Academy hosts an Equity and

offer a unique setting where students

Inclusion Summit which resulted in

of color attending independent

14 key action items for the Academy

following the first production of The Laramie Project on campus.

Learn more on page 24.

2018

schools throughout New Jersey can

to address institutional racism and

Although the school previously had

gather to connect and promote dia-

to make the school more inclusive

part-time directors, Newark Academy

logue both in their respective com-

and equitable.

commits to hiring its first full-time

munities and across institutions.

director of equity and inclusion.

The Umoja executive board requests

The Newark Academy Parents

that the club revert to its original

The Gay-Straight Alliance is renamed

Association’s (NAPA) engagement

name, Black Student Union.

the Gender Sexuality Alliance to pro-

committee creates its first parent

mote the idea that gender and sexual-

affinity group, LGBTQ+ parents and

2023

ity are multifaceted and fluid — an

allies. The committee later created the

important step in helping members of

Newark Academy’s student body

Immigrant Parent Group, renamed

the LGBTQ+ community feel at home

reaches a record 63 percent people

the International Parents Network,

in the school community.

of color.

and the Diverse Abilities Group.

2023 Newark Academy hosts its first-ever Divers-A-Week to promote greater celebration and awareness of cultural, ethnic, religious, and national diversity within the school community. Highlights of the week included the sharing of cultural games, LGBTQ+ trivia, a discussion on ableism, and a Lunar New Year celebration. The week culminated with the 30th anniversary of the NAPA International Dinner.

Marshall Graves ’23, Evan Bulan ’23, Juliet Bu ’23, Jolene Wang ’23 and Nicholas Fastov ’23 host lantern-making as part of Divers-A-Week.

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FACULTY FOCUS

Hampton Abney

250 Years of

FORMATIVE FACULTY Mr. Parlin nurtured my intellectual curiosity and taught in such a way that put critical thinking and the quest for knowledge above all else.”

– Emily Litwin ’05

Blackie Parlin

Joe Ball

John Kim (at left)

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George M. King Jr.

Lisa Swanson

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Hopefully everyone has a teacher, sometime, who changes their lives in immeasurable ways. Mr. Borlo did that for me.”

– David S. Crane ’72

Joe Borlo

Allan Strand

Maria Rice Bellamy

Norm Schafler

Yes, other great teachers impacted me in my seven years at NA, but it was the great start I got with Mrs. Lynham which influenced me the most.”

– Michael Frankel ’54

John Limmer

Catherine Lynham Luis Gomez

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FACULTY FOCUS

Newark Academy Welcomes New Faculty & Staff Mark Barroso — Athletic Trainer Mark Barroso joined the Newark Academy community as an athletic trainer this fall. Mark has trained clients in various fitness centers as a strength and conditioning coach before earning his M.S. in athletic training from Montclair State University in 2021.

As an athletic trainer, Mark has worked in the physical therapy setting and looks to provide exceptional sports medicine care to NA Minutemen student-athletes.

Katherine “Kath” Brandwood — Upper School English Kath Brandwood has been an English teacher for 10 years at schools in the Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia areas.

She’s very excited to return to North Jersey, where she grew up. Kath earned her B.A. and M.A. in English literature from Princeton and Georgetown Universities, respectively. She focused on Victorian literature in school but has since fallen in love with contemporary fiction. Her favorite writers include Louise Erdrich, Charles Dickens and Isabel Allende.

At Newark Academy, she looks forward to collaborating with brilliant colleagues in the English Department and learning with diverse, global-minded and creative students.

Patrick “PJ” Brennan — Upper School Science and Mathematics Patrick “PJ” Brennan comes to Newark Academy from Gill St. Bernard’s School, where he taught physics. He earned a B.A. in physics from the College of Holy Cross. PJ has been an enthusiastic member of the NA Summer Session faculty and is thrilled to join NA’s incredible culture of curiosity, warmth and acceptance full-time. A fun fact about PJ is that he was a contestant on Jeopardy! in March 2023.

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Julianne Curro — Middle School Mathematics Julianne Curro earned her B.A. in mathematics and secondary education from The College of New Jersey in 2016.

She went on to teach seventhgrade math in the Verona Public Schools for seven years. She is currently in the process of obtaining a master’s degree in educational leadership at William Paterson University. Many of Julianne’s educational and professional values align with those of Newark Academy; she is excited to work in an environment that places an emphasis on an immersive and well-rounded education for students.

Julianne’s main hobbies include crocheting and knitting.

She enjoys making her own clothing, blankets, bags and similar items. She also loves to travel and explore new places, and she aims to visit a new country or state every year.

Nick DeChino — Physical Education and Health, Strength and Conditioning Coach Nick DeChino joins Newark Academy as a physical education and health teacher and strength and conditioning coach. He has previously worked at George Washington Middle School and Montville High School. Nick graduated from Salisbury University in 2014 with a B.S. in exercise science and a concentration in allied health. Upon graduating, he became a certified strength and conditioning specialist and began training athletes.

Nick has interned with Rutgers University’s football team and the New York Jets. His passion for educating and guiding athletes drove him to get a teaching certification from New Jersey City University. After receiving his degree, Nick has loved being able to educate adolescents in a variety of different settings, including the classroom, weight room and athletic field. Nick is excited to be part of the NA community because of the strong character demonstrated by the student body and community, and he is eager

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to assist students in making healthy decisions and preparing for their futures. In his free time, Nick enjoys cooking and being with his family.

Claudia Hernández — Admissions Associate Visitation Coordinator Claudia Hernández joined Newark Academy and the Office of Admission in August 2023. She brings with her a deep passion for education and the arts, along with a dedication to supporting student growth and development.

Claudia came to the United States in the middle of her high school career and credits her school and her family with providing a solid support system and guidance during her transition. She is committed to building connections and supporting students and families throughout their academic journeys.

Claudia is also a skilled and dedicated clarinet and piano player, who hopes to inspire students to explore their artistic potential and value creative expression. She earned her B.A. from The New School, where she has also served as a Spanish tutor.

A native Spanish speaker, Claudia is also proficient in Italian.

Kwame Ivery ’89 — Middle School English Kwame Ivery ’89 is thrilled to be returning to his alma mater to teach Middle School English. He holds a B.A. in psychology from Princeton University and an M.F.A. in dramatic writing from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. Kwame worked as an office manager for 12 years before making a career change to teaching in 2012. For the next 11 years, Kwame was an educator in the district of Collingswood, New Jersey, where he taught English at all high school grade levels as well as middle school creative writing.

Kwame’s debut novel, The Problem with the Other Side, was released by Soho Teen in 2021 and is a Bank Street Best Children’s Book Of 2022.

Harcourt Lucious Sr. — Admissions Associate - Outreach and Communications Coordinator Harcourt Lucius Sr. joined Newark Academy and the Office of Admission in August 2023. Harcourt started his career in corporate risk management and insurance before deciding to pursue his passion of working with middle and high school students. Over the past 20 years, he has served in various roles focused on helping students and families navigate the high school and college application processes, as well as exploring options after college graduation. Whether serving as the director of college counseling at four charter school networks or starting a nonprofit organization, Harcourt has developed close and long-lasting relationships with students and families. Harcourt’s commitment to student success extends beyond the classroom, and for the past five years he has also served as athletic director and head coach for track and field and cross country at St. Rose of Lima Academy in Short Hills.

Outside of work, Harcourt is the proud father of two. His daughter currently attends Duke University and his son is in eighth grade. In his free time, he enjoys video production, photography, traveling, attending live sporting events and working in the yard.

Joe Monaghan — Middle School Science Joe Monaghan joined Newark Academy in the spring of 2023 as a paternity leave replacement teacher for Upper School chemistry.

This year, he is delighted to join NA on a permanent basis as the seventh-grade science teacher. Dr. Joe, as the students know him, earned a B.S. in chemistry from King’s College and a Ph.D. in chemistry from Temple University.

He is looking forward to using his background as a college professor and a chemistry researcher to inform his work in the seventh-grade science class. Dr. Joe is excited to introduce his students to the wonders of physical science and help them develop a solid foundation for their future scientific pursuits at NA and beyond.

Joe loves taking his dogs (Boey and Mookie) on hikes, playing board games, watching all things Star Wars and learning about weird science facts.

(Continued)

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New Faculty & Staff (Continued from page 35)

Elise Pacicco — Dance Elise Pacicco is originally from Charlotte, N.C. She earned a B.A. in history and communication from Wake Forest University and an M.F.A. in dance from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. Upon graduation, Elise joined the New Jersey-based Carolyn Dorfman Dance Company, working nationally and internationally as a dancer and teaching artist. She has also danced for Rovaco Dance Company in New York City and the world-renowned Momix Dance Company. She performed in two of Momix’s touring productions, Alice and Viva Momix, in cities around the globe. In addition to performing, Elise has taught Momix masterclasses across the country to people of all ages, backgrounds and levels, inspiring her students to explore their own movement potential. She is also very passionate about teaching yoga and pilates.

Elise was drawn to NA’s deep commitment to arts education and the value the school places on creativity. The arts are an essential component to a full, well-rounded education; and Elise is honored to contribute her teaching to the NA community.

Caren Pasquale — Upper School Math Caren Pasquale joins the Newark Academy Math Department after a 30-year career in public education. Caren has taught an extensive array of math courses, including Algebra (I & II), Geometry, Pre-Calculus and AP Calculus (AB & BC).

In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Caren was actively involved with curriculum development, standardized test preparation and the implementation of a school-wide honor system. She earned her undergraduate degree from Lehigh University and two master’s degrees from Montclair State University. Caren is excited to join the NA community because of its academic rigor and collaborative culture.

Caren enjoys her annual summer vacations with her family on Hilton Head Island in South Carolina.

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Alejandro Salvat — Middle School Spanish Alejandro Salvat joined the Newark Academy community last year in several different capacities, including as a coach and substitute teacher. Right from the start, he was inspired by the school’s desire to nurture talent, encourage reflection and promote community growth — all of which align with his beliefs as an educator. The son of a Spanish teacher, Alejandro is excited to join the Middle School Spanish team full-time, a new chapter following years of teaching both math and history in Manhattan as well as in his native Barcelona.

Alejandro holds a communications degree from Universitat Internacional de Catalunya with a specialization in screenwriting. A man of many passions, Alejandro coaches a semiprofessional soccer team, writes poetry in three different languages, and enjoys cooking for his friends and family.

Candice Tupajic — Upper School Science Candice Tupajic earned a B.S. in biology with a focus in molecular biology from University of California, Riverside. She went on to receive her M.S. in biotechnology from University of California, Irvine, where she studied molecular biology with an emphasis in immunology. While she enjoyed her time as a researcher, Candice fell in love with being in the classroom, where she could share her knowledge and help students achieve their goals. She has been a high school science teacher for 15 years and most recently taught AP and IB Biology at Santa Margarita Catholic High School in Southern California, where she also ran the equestrian team.

Candice and her son recently relocated to New Jersey for her new chapter at Newark Academy. They had a blast taking a two-week cross-country road trip, visiting 15 states!

Keith Veletto — Director of Security Born and raised in Parsippany, New Jersey, Keith Veletto is honored to have served in the Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department Patrol and

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NA Adds Middle School Assistant Principal Spanish teacher Hernando Santamaria was named Newark Academy’s first Middle School assistant principal. In this newly created role, he works closely with parents and other administrators to support and supervise all aspects of the Middle School experience.

Some of Hernando’s key responsibilities include classroom management guidance and increased support and attention to student supervision, discipline and success, with the aim of fostering a nurturing and conducive learning environment. He will also plan and execute special events,

such as divisional transition and programming for rising sixth- and ninth-grade students.

The addition of this position during NA’s 250th anniversary year is a key step toward accomplishing the strategic planning initiative of prioritizing an excellent student experience and renewing the school’s commitment to supporting faculty and staff.

“I am most excited about working towards creating an environment that enables our students to thrive academically, socially and emotionally,” Hernando says. “I am excited

Investigative Divisions for the past 24 years. As the department’s senior Lieutenant, Keith took early retirement for an opportunity to start a second career as the director of security at Newark Academy this past July.

A married father of five, Keith enjoys spending time with his family, going to the beach and playing golf. He looks forward to being a part of the NA community for many years to come.

Role Changes Troy Burki is now the assistant director of admissions data and research, responsible for managing all the data systems involved with the application, enrollment and re-enrollment processes, in addition to developing and conducting largescale analytics and research projects.

Bella Galvez is now the director of Middle School athletics.

She will recruit, hire and evaluate Middle School coaches as well as oversee the day-to-day operations of all Middle School athletic programming.

Anita McKenna-Murphy is the front office and operations office manager. She will continue to serve as the first point of contact for all members of the Newark Academy community.

Additionally, Anita will work closely with the Operations and Security team to support campus operations for students, faculty, staff and visitors.

Dr. Patty Pascal is now the Language Department chair, overseeing the language program to enrich students’ and teachers’ experiences in and outside the classroom.

Allyson Richardson is now the assistant director of admission and financial aid, involved in all aspects of the admission

about making a positive impact on students’ lives and witnessing their growth and achievements inside and outside of the classroom.”

process. She works closely with current families who receive financial aid as well as prospective families applying for financial assistance.

Lou Scerra is now the chief strategy officer. In this role, he will lead and shape institutional strategy and change management efforts across the school, while also coordinating, overseeing, and aligning the work of the External Affairs offices and continuing to serve as a liaison to Newark Academy’s Board of Trustees.

Noelle Shirey is now the assistant director of advancement marketing & communications. In this new role, she will be responsible for project management for the marketing and communications needs of the Office of Institutional Advancement.

Barbara Sine is now director of advancement services and planned giving. In addition to her advancement services responsibilities, Barbara will develop NA’s planned giving program and surface planned gifts for the Office of Institutional Advancement.

Alexis Sommers is the director of admission and financial aid, responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations and processes of the Admissions and Financial Aid offices as well as setting the short- and long-term strategic enrollment management goals for Newark Academy.

Richard Stilliard is the interim IB coordinator, in addition to his teaching responsibilities, and will oversee all aspects of the International Baccalaureate Diploma program.

Neil Stourton has been named Newark Academy’s director of sustainability. He will work with a range of constituents to lead and support NA’s sustainability efforts both inside and outside of the classroom.

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COMMUNITY SERVICE Share Your Immersion Memories!

MILESTONE:

Have a fun memory from your Immersion Experience?

Tell us all about it through direct message on social media (@newarkacademy) so we can share it!

The 50th NA Student-Built House in Guatemala!

The Guatemala Immersion is back! For the first time since the pandemic, Newark Academy successfully completed its ninth service-learning immersion trip to Sumpango, Guatemala, led by English Teacher Alexandra Mahoney. Students constructed six houses in 16 days with the program From Houses to Homes (De Casas a Hogares) — including NA’s 50th student-built house!

“My immersion experience was a pivotal journey that left me

granted and inspired me to be more socially conscious and

with a great sense of personal growth, cultural enrichment,

engaged in global issues.”

and a greater understanding of the world around me,” says Esther Ojo ’25. “This was an opportunity to step outside my comfort zone and embrace a new culture, language and way of life. It made me appreciate the privileges I often take for

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Billy Hales ’21 — whose Guatemala immersion trip was canceled due to the pandemic — was finally able to take the trip, joining as an alumni chaperone.

2023

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

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Honoring Our Past by

INVESTING IN OUR FUTURE Catching up with our first Newark Scholars.

For over 10 years, the Newark Scholars Program has served students from NA’s origin city. Today, NA remains proud of its historical ties to Newark and seeks to provide talented students from our namesake city with the very best independent school education. NA established the Newark Scholars Program in 2012 to provide full scholarships for up to six students each year who live in or attend school in Newark.

Students designated as Newark Scholars receive the full cost of tuition, fees, books, transportation, equipment, required field trips, the Immersion Experience and summer enrichment opportunities.

NA recently celebrated the 10-year anniversary of the inception of the Newark Scholars Program, so LUMEN caught up with students in the program’s first cohort to see what they’ve been doing since graduating from NA in 2016.

›››

NEWARK ACADEMY

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Joshua “Josh” Martin ’16

Asia Moore ’16

Marketing Professional

Diversity and Talent Development Program Manager

Josh earned a B.A. in business administration from Muhlenberg College, where he was also able to

After graduating from NA, Asia earned a B.S.

continue his passion of playing football. Upon

in industrial and labor relations from Cornell

graduation, Josh pursued a career in marketing.

University and worked in the human resources

He currently does freelance marketing for small and large companies with the goal of building his own marketing agency.

department at Bloomberg L.P. Asia now works to advance equity and inclusion in her role as a diversity and talent development program manager in Morgan Stanley’s Firm Risk Management Chief Administrative Office.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

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LUMEN

Katelynn Rodriguez ’16

Jocelyn Willoughby ’16

Architect Administrative Assistant

Professional Basketball Player

Katelynn earned a B.A. in Spanish from Drew

Just flip the television channel to the next Women’s

University and currently works for an architecture

National Basketball Association (WNBA) New York

firm in Newark as an administrative assistant. She

Liberty game to catch up with Jocelyn! A record-

works directly under the office’s principal architect,

breaker and New Jersey Gatorade Player of the Year

which gives her a front-row seat to operations and

during her time at NA, Jocelyn is now showcasing

marketing discussions, as well as conversations

her skills as a forward/guard on the WNBA courts

among the firm’s leadership. She plans to pursue a

and in Australia during the off-season. Off the

graduate degree and is currently working toward

court, Jocelyn earned a Master of Public Policy

that next step.

degree from the University of Virginia in May 2022.

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How did the Newark Scholars Program impact your life?

What advice do you have for future Newark Scholars?

Josh: Being a part of the Newark Scholars program has impacted my

Josh: First, use every resource NA gives you to make your

life tremendously. Getting a great education is a given at NA. However,

student life a great one. Take it from me, you have the best

maximizing the most potential out of your student experience is what

educators in the game and they have your back in making your

I believe makes the Newark Scholars Program so great. It’s allowed me

passions real.

to explore my education in more ways than just a textbook. During my time at NA, it gave me a community within a community.

Asia: Attending Newark Academy and being part of the Newark Scholars Program are honestly the best things that happened to me as a teenager. I did not know it then, and it still warms my heart with gratitude now, but the Newark Scholars Program gave me an amazing education, introduced me to dedicated educators and provided me with lifelong friends. Without this scholarship, my family would not have been able to afford private high school tuition. I remain in close contact with the teachers who cared so much about me personally and even consider some of my NA friends as family.

Katelynn: The Newark Scholars Program allowed me access to opportunities I otherwise would have never had. I received the chance to travel, explore and learn with less worry and less stress. I had an amazing group of people behind me, experiencing things with me, pushing me and providing me with the confidence I needed to make it through high school.

Jocelyn: When I look at my career and attempt to explain my success, some of it can be attributed to my hard work and discipline. Yet it is not lost on me that exposure and opportunity are life-altering privileges, and as a Newark Scholar, I had both of these at NA. Most obviously, the combination of a quality education and meaningful extracurriculars prepared me to attend a prestigious university. Beyond that, through guest speakers, June Term classes, Immersion trips, coursework, athletics and more, NA exposed me to new cultures and ideas. It planted the seeds of curiosities and passions that I followed through-

Second, don’t be afraid to explore the unknown. When I came in as freshman, my plan was brains and brawn. I thought I would get good grades and play every sport I could. Luckily, I was given the opportunity to explore other interests I probably would’ve never paid attention to. I realized I had a love for acting and creative writing. By junior year, I was the lead in the winter musical.

Looking back, I believe having those opportunities is a strong reason why I chose marketing as a career path.

Asia: Enjoy your time at Newark Academy; there is truly no place like it. Make NA your home, find your people, explore your interests and have fun!

Katelynn: Your fellow Newark Scholars will be your biggest allies, so make sure to hold them close. No one will understand your experiences or empathize with you more. When each other is struggling, hold each other up and be there for one another. They have the potential to be some of your most important friendships.

Jocelyn: Remember that you earned this opportunity and owe it to yourself to take full advantage of it. Walk with confidence, with purpose and without the fear or hesitancy of trying new things. Second, always aim to channel the spirit of the Newark Scholars Program by remembering, representing and reinvesting in the communities that are important to you and which invested in you first.

out college and continue to pursue today.

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IMPACT REPORT ON

GIVING

From the Chair of the Board of Trustees and Head of School Dear Members of the Newark Academy Community, We are delighted to share with you Newark Academy’s Impact Report for the 2022–23 school year. It was an exceptional year at Newark Academy, with community milestones, notable achievements and new programs.

None of those successes would be possible without the generous financial support provided through the Newark Academy Fund. We extend our deepest appreciation and gratitude to each and every one of you for your contributions. It is through your generosity and belief in Newark Academy’s mission and program that we are able to continue to provide a world-class education.

Last year, Newark Academy celebrated several impor-

Newark Academy trustees, faculty and staff members

tant institutional anniversaries, including its 10th year

donated to the NA Fund, and remarkably, 94 percent of

running the Classroom Internship Association Program

new families contributed to the NA Fund, including —

(CIA) in which seniors intern in Middle School classrooms.

for the first time ever — all parents in the 6th grade class.

It was the 20th year of the Community Art Exhibit,

We invite you to learn more about these and others’

during which students, faculty, staff, parents and

gifts at work by viewing this year’s Impact Report.

friends of the school were invited to share their works in the David Teiger ’47 Gallery for Studio Arts, inspired by a common theme, “Beneath the Surface.” The Newark Academy Parents Association (NAPA) hosted the school’s International Dinner for the 30th year.

As we move forward and celebrate Newark Academy’s 250th anniversary, we remain grateful to all our donors for your unwavering support.

Sincerely,

The evening included performances and traditional food from across the globe, allowing NA community members to come together and celebrate their diverse cultural and culinary heritages.

We also established new programs and welcomed the return of several in-person alumni events. NA launched

Samuel W. Croll III Chair, Board of Trustees

its Innovation in Teaching and Learning Fellowship Program, an incubator of innovative instructional practices. Our alumni were brought back together to engage in our Young Alumni Networking Night, our Inaugural Women’s Summit, and regional alumni receptions in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Philadelphia and Florida. This year, we will continue this momentum by bringing alumni together in additional cities, including Boston and Washington, D.C. Newark Academy raised more than $1.5 million — the largest amount ever contributed to the NA Fund.

We have many leaders, volunteers and community members to thank for this historic achievement. All

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Donald M. Austin Head of School

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IMPACT REPORT ON

Historic Year of Philanthropy:

$1,518,540 RAISED

GIVING Impact Report on Giving Scan the QR code to see the full donor list.

The 1903 Cup Congratulations to the Class of 1975!

Newark Academy first appealed to its alumni for financial support in 1903. Alumni gifts made in that first year enabled the school to purchase property on First Street in Newark, where NA would reside for nearly 35 years. The 1903 Cup is awarded annually to the Newark Academy class from the last 50 years whose giving most embodies alumni generosity, as measured by the percentage of the class contributing to the Newark Academy Fund. This year, the Cup was awarded to the Class of 1975, with 38% of the class represented.

Reunion Challenge: Battle of the Classes The inaugural Reunion Challenge found class years ending in 3 and 8 in an epic head-to-head battle for giving. The 3’s emerged victorious, with an impressive total participation rate of over 22% contributing to the Newark Academy Fund. As a token of appreciation, the winning donors were awarded NA beach towels, which they received by mail this summer.

Ad Lumen Award Congratulations to the Class of 1973!

“Ad Lumen,” the motto of Newark Academy, expresses the school’s motto, “toward enlightenment.” Because strong participation in the Newark Academy Fund is essential to furthering NA’s mission to support the pursuit of enlightenment, the Ad Lumen Award is presented in recognition of the NA class that posts the largest percentage increase in participation to the Newark Academy Fund in a given year.

The Class of 1973 increased its participation by 18% last year, earning them the award.

Historic Milestone: 100% Participation from the Class of 2029!

A remarkable achievement has been made in the history of our school as the Class of 2029 hit 100% parent participation in contributing to the Newark Academy Fund. This accomplishment reflects the unity and collective effort of the grade’s parents in recognizing the significance of supporting NA. Let’s celebrate this success and aim to achieve the same milestone once more in the coming year!

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IMPACT REPORT ON

GIVING

Snapshots from the

NEWARK ACADEMY FUND Teaching & Learning Over $180,000 was directed for “Teaching & Learning” when donors made their gifts “to the Newark Academy Fund last year, underscoring the importance of our teachers and the invaluable relationships they build with their students.

Financial Aid Each year, the number of donors choosing to support “Financial Aid” when contributing to the Newark Academy Fund steadily grows.

This trend is accompanied by a corresponding increase in the financial aid that NA is able to provide, benefiting a greater number of students in need. Last year, more than 110 donors specifically designated donations for “Financial Aid,” contributing to NA’s $4 million distribution of financial aid to 110 students. These numbers reflect our community’s unwavering commitment to ensuring that every student has access to a quality education, regardless of their financial circumstances.

“Mr. Kesler has honestly been one of my favorite teachers throughout my six years thus far at NA. Despite the challenging nature of Physics Honors, he makes every class engaging. He is always available for extra help and he often proposes new ideas to the conversation that I hadn’t even considered.

I am so lucky to have such an amazing teacher!”

– Andrew Kapferer ’24

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“Newark Academy has become more than just a school. It’s a place where I truly belong and where I am seen and valued.”

– Naveen McNeal ’26

“Mr. Parlin, thank you for making history come to life in IB Revolutions and teaching me the art of photography.”

– Biju Obi ’07

“Thanks to all of the teachers and staff for the Class of 2026!

Thanks for your hard work and efforts in blending in all new ninth graders in your classes and laying a solid foundation for their high school academics.”

– Eleanor Yuan, Parent ’26

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IMPACT REPORT ON

GIVING

NEWARK ACADEMY

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ALUMNI NEWS

THE MEN CAN’T BE SAVED Ben Purkert’s ’03 First Novel Hits Home

By Dr. Betsy Barbato LaPadula, English Faculty

I started reading an early copy of Ben Purkert’s ’03 debut novel, The Men Can’t Be Saved, on the night before a routine colonoscopy. After blasting my way through the first 140 pages, I stopped because, as I texted Ben, “I’m physically uncomfortable, and laughing hurts.” Ben’s wit came flying back: “That might be my ideal reader!”

Ironically enough, Ben’s book

he retreats into passivity,

begins with a joke about

and Ben rolls out lush

incontinence. Protagonist

images, just to make the

Seth has just scored a big win

reader cringe a bit more at

at his branding agency, after

the disconnect: “I could

his tagline for an obscure

pick out a few constella-

brand of men’s adult diapers

tions … a dipper, a crab,

slide on by, if only for a while.

goes viral. It’s the first of

a man’s belt. All these

Ben’s jabs at how a person

random objects in the night

Ben’s novel is a laugh-out-

who manipulates others for a

sky, as if some massive

living can fool himself into

shipping container had

thinking he’s living an exam-

cracked open and spilled

ined life. By the time readers,

out its varied contents

trapped in Seth’s relentlessly

across the cosmos, I’d never

narcissistic narration, watch

stopped to consider the ran-

him soothing himself with

domness of it all. I accepted

the sound of his parents’

it, and that was that.”

dishwasher “lightly knock[ing] the plates and glasses and

loud evisceration of our time, where so many of us seem to be rushing headlong toward some ineffable professional goal without stopping to clean up after ourselves, or bothering to learn the stories of the stars. As the book garners praise from major outlets

Ben majored in English at

like NPR, The Washington Post

Harvard University, so it

In his acknowledgements,

would be easy to assume that

Ben remembers former faculty

his college English professors

member Joseph Borlo, and

had the greatest impact on his

quotes his 11th-grade teacher,

literary journey. But ask him

Mario Costa, Jr. ’91: “The

and he’ll tell you that his love

only thing more tragic than

of literature was shaped at

tragedy is comedy.” Mario

Newark Academy. “English

“I’m excited for the next

recalls Ben fondly, “I remem-

classes were my hardest

challenge. I can’t wait to start

ber him having an open and

This bildungsroman for the

classes, but they were also the

on the next book, and then

inquisitive mind, and more

21st century, where “26 is the

ones where grades mattered

follow it wherever it goes,”

importantly, and more rarely

new 18,” contains a Holden

the least,” Ben says. “We were

Ben says.

found, an intellectual honesty.”

Caulfield-esque gamboling

reading books about such big

Those qualities shine through

search for connection. But

themes, like life and love and

in this book, where that rare

every time Seth veers close

loss. That was the stuff that

strain of honesty reveals

to an authentic insight,

held weight.”

the parts of ourselves that,

silverware back and forth, jostling them, getting them just clean enough,” we are still only somewhat inoculated against the discomfort of settling for partial truths — only getting part of the dirt, as it were.

46

like Seth, would just like to

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and The Boston Globe, one might assume that the author is riding high. But that kind of affirmation isn’t what leads him to write.

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New Alumni Board of Governors for 2023–2024 The Newark Academy Alumni Board of Governors (BOG) welcomes two new members to the group for the 2023–2024 school year. The BOG works closely with the Office of Institutional Advancement to plan and manage more than 20 alumni events and programs each year. Meet the new members:

Matt Cowen ’13 Matt joins the BOG after serving as Class Ambassador for the past 10 years, since graduating from NA in 2013. He spent

Alumni Association Board of Governors

four years as a strategy consultant in

Rebecca Moll Freed ’94 President

New York and most recently attended

Nicole Andrzejewski ’13

Columbia Business School, where he

Asha Talwar Coco ’99

received his M.B.A. earlier this year.

Matt Cowen ’13 Daniel D. Cronheim ’72 Justin Garrod ’93 Kumar Ghafoor ’10 Susan Goldberg ’79

Seema Sangani ’95 Originally from Livingston, Seema recently moved back from Hoboken with

Peter Gruenberg ’81 Jade-Addon Hall ’98 Shannon Hedvat ’03 Sydney Hershman ’11 Lauren Jacobs-Lazer ’98

her husband and nine-year-old daughter.

Jordan Jett ’11

An alumna of the Class of 1995, Seema

Lauren Kaplan ’09

is looking forward to engaging with the NA

Steve Lozowick ’63

community and supporting the

Dr. Kathleen Mangunay Pergament ’95

250th anniversary celebrations.

Seema has over 25 years of experience in account management, sales and marketing. In 2010, she joined her father and older brother as a financial services professional with New York Life.

Nicholas Murray ’15 Nnadilim Okafor ’09 Ed Pursell ’02 Jed Rosenthal ’93 Lena Hill Ryals ’94 Seema Sangani ’95

Their practice has served clients in over 40 states for the last 50 years.

Emeriti

Prior to joining, she was with the Corporate Executive Board (now

Lance Aronson ’74

Gartner), a business advisory firm supporting C-level executives at Fortune 1000 companies. Seema earned her B.S. in international business from The George Washington University and holds an M.S. in integrated marketing communications from Northwestern University.

J. Richard Beltram ’41* John H. Bess ’69 Hon. Leo M. Gordon ’69 Jeffrey Silverman ’82 William Stroh ’48* Richard Watson ’50 *Deceased

NEWARK ACADEMY

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ALUMNI NEWS

From the Archives:

NA’S DEL TUFO BROTHERS

By Jim Coe, Archivist

Just before the start of this school year, the Newark Academy archives received a visit and a generous donation from John Pascal, an English teacher at Seton Hall Prep, spouse of NA’s Language Department Chair Dr. Patty Pascal, and nephew of two highly-esteemed NA alums: Judge Raymond Del Tufo, Jr. ’37 and NA Trustee Emeritus Robert J. Del Tufo ’51.

and Robert J. Del Tufo ’51 (right).

“While there are many other

“Robert’s accomplishments

saw Robert as the head of its

to Raymond from then-

notable figures, both public

of being first assistant attorney

legal creation. Beyond this,

President Eisenhower, for his

and private, in the NA alumni

general and director of the

his honorific as an NA Trustee

time in office as the United

community, it is a singular

Division of Criminal Justice,

Emeritus speaks to the high

States attorney for the State

rarity to have two brothers

U.S. attorney, head of the

regard in which the institution

of New Jersey.

born in Newark who were

New Jersey State Commission

clearly holds him.”

both U.S. attorneys for the

of Investigation, and New

State of New Jersey,” John

Jersey attorney general are

says of his uncles.

nothing short of extraordinary,”

Both brothers were successful in fighting organized crime and racketeering, white-collar fraud and public corruption; in enforcing anti-pollution laws; and in reorganizing their offices for greater efficiency — all to serve the public and see that justice was done at all times, without a concern for self-publicity.

Raymond was an extraordinary individual, working as a U.S. attorney, a professor of Constitutional law at Seton Hall University School of Law, and an Essex County District Court Judge, while battling multiple sclerosis, which ultimately resulted in his quadriplegia.

Ultimately, this devastating disease cut short Raymond’s life at only 50. However, his untimely passing motivated his younger brother Robert to push his legal career into greater acts of public service and the pursuit of justice.

48

Raymond Del Tufo, Jr. ’37 (left)

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says John. “Most citizens today have no idea that the entire existence and operation of the Meadowlands facilities

If you have any significant

Among John’s donations to

Newark Academy memorabilia

the Newark Academy Archives

you would like to donate to the

are an NA diploma, Ad Lumen

Archives, please contact Jim Coe

Award, scrapbooks with

at jcoe@newarka.edu.

newspaper clippings of the brothers’ accomplishments, and a signed commendation

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SAVE

the

May

4

DATE

250 TH CELEBRATION EVENT

2024

NEWARK ACADEMY 250TH Anniversary Steering Committee

Celebration Ambassadors*

Hon. Leo M. Gordon ’69 - Chair

Peter Berhle ’69 William Berhle ’00 Elaine Brodie Dr. Curtis Certulo ’61 Bernard “Bud” D’Avella ’62 Rebecca Moll Freed ’94 Hon. Leo M. Gordon ’69 Ilene Jacobs Julie Madison Jacoby - former faculty Scott M. Jacoby - former faculty Marjorie “Margie” Jameson ’77 Maria Teresa McNeilly–Anta ’93 Blackwood “Blackie” Parlin - former faculty Joan Parlin - former faculty Jackie Pinchuk ’05 Lisa Powers Dr. Van Stevens ’65 Dan Urban ’05

Lisa Powers - Vice Chair and Newark Academy Trustee Representative Donald M. Austin - Head of School Andrew Binger ’09 Elaine Brodie - Faculty Member Jim Coe - Faculty Member Bernard J. “Bud” D’Avella ’62 Mae Hacking - NAPA Representative Nancy Baird Harwood ’75 Benson Hawk - Faculty Member Dr. Rose McSween - Chief Advancement Officer Lisa Mulligan - Senior Director of Advancement Evan Nisenson ’99 - Director of Alumni Relations and Giving Von Rollenhagen - Faculty Member Dr. Renée Walker - Director of Communications and Marketing Adrien K. Wing ’74 Student representatives from the Class of 2024

*Committee still in formation

NEWARK ACADEMY

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Campus View 2-5-0!

All Newark Academy students and employees came together to form the number “250” on Coursen Memorial Field in honor of our sestercentennial!

Scan the QR code to view the time-lapse video.

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C L A S S N OT E S

photos from their yearbook, Al led a discussion on topics such as technology, aging, health care and civil discourse.

Since this call, Hal Levitt passed away and will be greatly missed by the class.

CROSSING PATHS Faculty and alumna While attending the White Privilege Conference in Mesa, AZ, Humanities Teacher Jim Coe ran into alumna Adrien K. Wing ’74. Both are members of Newark Academy’s 250th Anniversary Steering Committee.

1951 On April 11, Lee Neuwirth spoke to the Newark Academy Math Club about his time as a student at NA. He also donated several models of polyhedra and knots, which he used to discuss Euler’s Theorem and its application to the solids.

(See photo on page 53)

1952 The Class of 1952 held its third annual Zoom gathering, hosted by Al Levin. Paul Forman, Jerry Tarr, Norm Grossblatt, Frank Ray, Hal Levitt, Joe Fitzsimmons and Bill Van Winkle were all on the call. Each person had three minutes to share a life update. After screen sharing

1958 After NA, Mark Fleischman continued his education at UPenn, University of Chicago and UCLA, where he earned a doctorate in biological anthropology in 1972. He went on to teach at Syracuse University for 32 years before retiring to California in 2002.

He’d love to connect with his NA classmates.

1964 After serving as Internal Revenue Service (IRS) associate chief counsel (corporate) since 2015, Bob Wellen retired from that post in March. He has returned to Ivins, Phillips & Barker, a Washington, D.C., law firm

specializing in tax law. Bob had been a partner in the firm for 22 years prior to joining the IRS.

1979 Bob Beck attended Lafayette College, where he was cocaptain and played first singles and doubles for the 1983 men’s tennis team. The team was just elected into the Lafayette College Hall of Fame. In addition to being the only undefeated men’s

tennis team in Lafayette history, they were Division I East Conference and ECAC champions that year, and they were ranked top 10 Division I in the Eastern Region. Fewer than 20 athletic teams have ever been elected into the Lafayette Hall of Fame in the school’s 197-year history.

Bob is now the owner of Bob Beck Sports Collectibles in Livingston, New Jersey.

(See photo on page 56)

2023 U.S. RHODES SCHOLAR Kai Youngren ’19 Newark Academy alumnus Kai Youngren ’19 earned the prestigious honor of being named a 2023 Rhodes Scholar, a highly-coveted international postgraduate award to study at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom. Named as one of just 32 Rhodes Scholars across the country, Kai began his graduate studies at Oxford this fall, pursuing an M.S. in global governance and diplomacy. He graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 2023 with a B.S. in law and legal studies.

Kai’s desire to serve his country stemmed from the death of his grandfather Robert LeBlanc, an Air Force veteran and professor of cultural geography at the University of New Hampshire, who died during the 9/11 terrorist attacks. With this in mind, Kai found mentorship from fellow NA alums Nick Williams ’13 and Anthony Giachin ’17, who also attended West Point.

Scan the QR code to read more about Kai!

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“NA provided a great foundation for me as a scholar and a leader,” Kai says. “NA has a tremendous academic curriculum that pushes students to excel past basic academic requirements. I found that I outpaced my peers and fellow leaders at West Point by ways of having respectful intellectual debate, thinking critically and abstractly when problem solving, communicating clearly and concisely, and appreciating diversity and culture.”

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1981 Artie Williams ’81 visited Ben Bressler ’80 in Boulder, CO, in July 2023. (See photo on page 56)

1987 Brad Piver returned to school in the fall to pursue his executive doctorate in business administration at the University of Tampa’s Sykes College of Business.

1989 This past fall, Kwame Ivery returned to NA as a Middle School English teacher.

(See more on page 35)

1992 Robyn Abeles Silverman’s book How to Talk to Kids about Anything was released on October 10, 2023. The book is the culmination of six years of research, interviews, writing and editing. Robyn also has a popular parenting podcast (2.5M downloads to date) with the same name.

In both the book and podcast, she provides tips, scripts, stories and steps to make even the toughest conversations easier.

Scan the QR code to listen to an interview with Robyn Abeles Silverman ’92 on the NA Voices podcast!

1

1996 Matt Gutman’s book No Time to Panic: How I Curbed My Anxiety and Conquered a Lifetime of Panic Attacks was released on September 14, 2023.

2002 Yana Shulman Levine and her husband, Howard, welcomed their second daughter, Sophia Yvette Levine, on October 19, 2022. The Levine family resides in Boca Raton, FL. (See photo on page 55)

2

2004 Hillary Dixler Canavan’s book Eater: 100 Essential Restaurant Recipes from the Authority on Where to Eat and Why It Matters was published on September 19, 2023.

C R O S S I N G PAT H S Classes of 1987 and 2019 While on an admitted students visit to Hobart and William Smith Colleges with her child, Loren Weiss Selig ’87 was delighted to meet alumna Maddie McEvoy ’19 and bond over their shared alma mater.

3

1. On April 11, Lee Neuwirth ’51 spoke to the Newark Academy Math Club about his time as a student at NA. He also donated several models of polyhedra and knots, which he used to discuss Euler’s Theorem and its application to the solids.

2. During the Spanish exchange students’ visit to Newark Academy last spring, the group took a trip to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, where they met up with Cadet Kai Youngren ’19, who now attends Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar.

3. While on a recent study abroad trip to Spain, Akshay Bhandari ’20, was able to introduce his parents to the Spanish family he had lived with during an Immersion Experience trip to Spain in 2018.

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C L A S S N OT E S

CROSSING PATHS

We Fondly Remember Class of 1943 James Beckett – June 12, 2023 Class of 1946 Stephen Boyle – August 3, 2023 Alan S. Moscowitz – July 17, 2022 Class of 1949 John L. McGraw – July 4, 2023 Class of 1951 Richard Castellane – June 18, 2023 Harry B. Silverman – January 30, 2023 Class of 1952 Richard Turi – August 10, 2023 Class of 1958 Peter A. Lagana – October 2, 2022 Class of 1959 Edward “Peter” Ryan – September 24, 2023 Class of 1960 Don E. Hershey – May 28, 2023 Class of 1969 Paul Kasoff – May 5, 2023 Class of 1981 Geoffrey Edgar – September 2023 Class of 1996 Carrie A. Wharton Priest – June 20, 2023

2012 Elizabeth Coscia and Jessie Arnell both graduated from the Georgetown University Law Center this past May. (See photo on page 55)

2016 Gatorade Player of the Year alumna and current WNBA New York Liberty star Jocelyn Willoughby returned to campus for a

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Classes of 2012 and 2004

surprise visit in June! “It was really nice to reconnect with my former teachers and administrators, and also meet new faculty members,” she said. (See photo on page 55)

While at an office gathering at Barclay Damon, LLP, co-workers Pranav Katti ’12 and Jamie Dughi Hogenkamp ’04 connected and realized they were both NA alums!

2018 While competing at Penn Model Congress, students in NA Model Congress reconnected with Amanda Cohen, who is currently attending the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School, and Micaela Alpert ’21, who is an undergraduate at the university.

2019 During the Spanish exchange students’ visit to NA last spring, the group took a trip to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, where they met up with then-Cadet Kai Youngren, who now attends Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar. Kai also connected with Lieutenant General Stuart Risch ’80

during Stuart’s visit to West Point last spring.

2020 Phillip Kim returned to NA during the final two weeks of school to assist Art Teacher Elaine Brodie in the Art of Ceramic Raku Firing June Term course.

2021 While competing at Penn Model Congress, students in NA Model Congress reconnected with Micaela Alpert and Amanda Cohen ’18, who are both currently studying at the University of Pennsylvania.

Lexie Guastello returned to NA to teach the Art of Coaching, June Term course with girls’ varsity soccer coaches Scott Rowling and Alejandro Salvat.

2022 Sadie Kim returned to NA to assist faculty members Dr. Richard DiBianca and David “Dati” Mamukelashvili in the debut of their new June Term course, Adventures in Time Travel.

SUSTAINABLE STATIONERY SaVonne Anderson ’13 SaVonne Anderson ’13 grew up watching her dad run his own aquarium business and always knew she wanted to be an entrepreneur. In 2019, SaVonne launched her sustainable stationery brand, Aya Paper Co. As an advocate for environmental justice, she wanted to ensure that Aya Paper Co. didn’t perpetuate problems like climate change and pollution, which disproportionately impact communities of color. Aya Paper Co. has been featured in Time, Marie Claire, Forbes, Black Enterprise, Architectural Digest, and other publications.

When asked about her time at NA, SaVonne recalls, “I developed a lot of critical problem-solving skills in my courses. Outside of class, I learned how to be a leader by being president of clubs, choreographing for dance concerts and presenting in Morning Meeting. These experiences all gave me the confidence and communication skills required to be a successful business owner.”

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4. Former Minutemen lacrosse teammates Will Mulligan ’19 and Jack Snyder ’19 faced each other during an NCAA Division III matchup between their respective college teams, Franklin & Marshall and Swarthmore. They caught up for a mini NA lacrosse reunion after the game!

5. Evan MacGregor ’19, Liam Corliss ’19, Anthony Maldonado ’19 and Juliana Soranno ’19 ran the 5k race in Sea Girt, NJ, together.

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8. Yana Shulman Levine ’02 and her husband, Howard, welcomed their second daughter, Sophia Yvette Levine, on October 19, 2022. The Levine family resides in Boca Raton, FL. 9. Former NA classmates Elizabeth Coscia ’12 and Jessie Arnell ’12 both graduated from the Georgetown University Law Center this past May.

6. Look who was haunting the NA hallways! Asher Grodman ’06, who currently stars in the hit CBS series Ghosts, returned to campus.

10. Gatorade Player of the Year alumna and current WNBA New York Liberty star Jocelyn Willoughby ’16 returned to campus for a surprise visit in June!

(See more on page 54)

7. Wayne Kent ’85, Leo Gordon ’69 and Rubin Sinins ’87 reunited during a mission trip to Israel with the Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ.

11. Julie Jacobs ’01, third from the right, helped organize a consumer event for women hosted by BMO Capital Markets where she is managing director.

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CROSSING PATHS Classes of 1979 and 1986 Maria Miele ’79 and Sheryl Newman Odza ’86 serve on the Gallery Committee for Martinarts, a nonprofit arts organization in Stuart, FL, that serves all of Martin County. Maria and Sheryl found themselves co-chairing a members exhibit and, while getting to know each other, realized they were both NA grads working to enhance the arts in similar ways in Florida. They are also both art teachers. Sheryl is currently teaching at Stuart Middle School, and Maria recently retired from teaching fine art and photography at The Pine School, an independent school in Hobe Sound. They enjoy getting together in downtown Stuart to discuss the particulars of their upcoming projects.

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12. Andrew Binger ’09 attended an NYC performance of Thomas Bradshaw’s ’98 play The Seagull/Woodstock, NY. 13. Arielle Scheichet ’23, Camryn MacGregor, Hilary Adelman ’23, Kyra Gallagher ’23 and Rachel Usatine ’23 reunite at Wake Forest University where they currently attend.

14. Bob Beck ’79 is the owner of Bob Beck Sports Collectibles in Livingston, New Jersey. (See more on page 52) 15. Lieutenant General Stuart Risch ’80 and Kai Youngren ’19 connected during

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Stuart’s visit to the United States Military Academy at West Point last spring, while Kai was a cadet. Stuart is currently the Judge Advocate General, the highest-ranking lawyer in the U.S. Army.

16. Artie Williams ’81 visited Ben Bressler ’80 in Boulder, CO, in July 2023.

17. Athletic Hall of Famers Danny Petrillo ’06 (Basketball & Baseball), Robin Carter Feldman ’03 (Tennis) and Joseph Lutz ’71 (Swimming) were honored before the Newark Academy football game during Fall Homecoming Festival on Saturday, September 30.

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PLANNED GIVING:

Leveling the Playing Field Even as a young student at Newark Academy, Dr. Lesly A. D’Ambola ’78 was interested in finding ways to reconnect the Academy with its origin city of Newark – also her hometown. In fact, she dedicated her senior project to that aim, which culminated in a slideshow of the city to her classmates. She was also instrumental in organizing multiple class trips to Newark, including to Integrity House, an outpatient rehabilitation center, to learn about the social issues facing the city at that time.

Forty-five years after completing that senior project, Lesly has magnified her efforts to enhance NA’s ties with Newark through a bequest to support the Newark Scholars Program (learn more on page 39). Lesly feels forever grateful to have been educated and supported by beloved teachers like Blackwood “Blackie” Parlin, Joe Borlo, Mary Burg, Tony Ungaro (with whom she is pictured above) and her faculty advisor Ray Cruitt, and it is not lost on her that she was lucky enough to be born into a family with the financial resources to send her to NA. Now Lesly wants to pay that forward to students in need of financial assistance who live in Newark.

“The Newark Scholars Program really does level the playing field for these students who are so talented,” Lesly says. “All of these kids deserve a chance. I truly believe that every Newark Academy alumnus – especially those of us who came from the city of Newark – should contribute to the Newark Scholars Program.”

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

newarka.giftplans.org

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