Author Archives: fjames@newarka.edu

IB Art Exhibits 2021

Posted on June 1, 2021 by fjames@newarka.edu

Post compiled by Stella Gilbert ’22. Recently, the works of senior IB artists Ben Tolpa, Kylie Bill, Michelle Wong, and Silvy Zhou were featured in NA’s Teiger Art Gallery. Here are some highlights from the exhibit, photographed by James Worrell … Continue reading →

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Skywalker Li ’22 wins 2021 NCTE Achievement Award

Posted on May 21, 2021 by fjames@newarka.edu

Skywalker Li ’22 has won a Certificate of Superior Writing from the National Council of Teachers of English for his essay, “To Play Jazz,” and his short story, “Ҳикояи марг,” which you can read below. This year, 284 juniors from … Continue reading →

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Senior Intern Spotlight: Silvy Zhou ’21

Posted on May 13, 2021 by fjames@newarka.edu

In 2018, the WAM blog introduced the intern position in an effort to expand the blog and cultivate more student involvement. Senior Silvy Zhou took on this role from the beginning and, for the past 3 years, has curated posts … Continue reading →

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Interview with Michael Pyo ’22, Founder of Living Zine

Posted on April 21, 2021 by fjames@newarka.edu

WAM was recently able to interview Michael Pyo ’22, founder of Living Zine, allowing us to gain insight into his inspiration and creative process in developing his zine. What was your inspiration for creating Living Zine? Living Zine started as … Continue reading →

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WAM Montage 2020

Posted on April 6, 2021 by fjames@newarka.edu

After various delays due to snow storms and the pandemic, the annual WAM montage is finally here! Navyaa Jain ’23 edited this beautiful video highlighting the visual art, writing, music, and more that Newark Academy students, faculty members, and alumni … Continue reading →

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Chocolate Poetry Competition Winners

Posted on March 30, 2021 by fjames@newarka.edu

On February 24th, Newark Academy celebrated its annual Chocolate Day. Among the Chocolate Day festivities was a chocolate poetry competition. Andrew Zabelo ’21 won first place, with Oliver Adelson ’21 in second! The two winners received large chocolate prizes as … Continue reading →

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Community Art Show 2021 — “The Nature of Things”

Posted on March 9, 2021 by fjames@newarka.edu

Last month, the Teiger Gallery was filled with art submitted by the students, teachers, parents, and alumni of the NA community. Here are a few highlights from the exhibit, photographed by James Worrell (faculty). The full photo gallery of the … Continue reading →

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Month of Action Posters

Posted on March 5, 2021 by fjames@newarka.edu

Newark Academy’s Month of Action ran from January 18 to February 10. Over 25 clubs and student groups participated. Several groups contributed art to the Month of Action Art Exhibition. You can see posters and infographics designed by Asian Diversity … Continue reading →

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2021 Scholastic Writing Awards—Regional Winners

Posted on February 9, 2021 by fjames@newarka.edu

Congratulations to the 22 Newark Academy student who won a total of 28 Scholastic Writing Awards! Gold Key winners Drew France ’22, Annika Inampudi ’21, Sammy Lederman ’22, Olivia Palker ’24, Kaya Patel ’22, and Lily Sternlieb ’24 will go … Continue reading →

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2021 Scholastic Art Awards—Regional Winners

Posted on February 4, 2021 by fjames@newarka.edu

This year, seven Newark Academy students won thirteen Scholastic Art Awards. All award winners, their families, and their teachers are invited to attend an awards ceremony at the Montclair Art Museum on February 25, 2021. Congratulations to the following artists: … Continue reading →

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Event Highlight: Student Council Paint-Along

Posted on January 20, 2021 by fjames@newarka.edu

In the second week of virtual classes after winter break, School Council partnered with several clubs to create Amateur Classes! These classes were hosted and attended by students, coming together to learn new skills and have some much-needed social time. … Continue reading →

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An Interview with Self-Taught Crocheter Penelope Jennings ’22

Posted on January 14, 2021 by fjames@newarka.edu

Post by Stella Gilbert ’22 Over the summer, junior Penelope Jennings taught herself how to crochet, creating dozens of crocheted creatures for her friends and family. Penelope looked up basic stitch videos on YouTube and practiced them until they looked … Continue reading →

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Outdoors Club Contest Winning Photography by Kaya Patel ’22

Posted on December 1, 2020 by fjames@newarka.edu

Each year, Outdoors Club holds a nature photography contest. This year, the winner was junior Kaya Patel, who submitted three photographs from three different locations in nature.

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She Kills Monsters — Fall Drama 2020

Posted on November 9, 2020 by fjames@newarka.edu

Working within COVID restrictions over the past few months, the NA theater department has put together a virtual production of “She Kills Monsters: Virtual Realms” by Qui Nguyen. This drama-comedy follows the story of high school senior Agnes after she … Continue reading →

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LumeNAtion and Academy Voices Now Streaming on Apple Music and Spotify

Posted on November 5, 2020 by fjames@newarka.edu

LumeNAtion, Newark Academy’s a cappella group, is now streaming on Apple Music and Spotify. NA’s top chamber choir, Academy Voices, has been streaming on Apple Music and Spotify since April. Viraj Lal, Choral Director, says, “This is a big milestone … Continue reading →

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Spirit Week Boards 2020

Posted on October 27, 2020 by fjames@newarka.edu

This year the Skiiniors, Jukebox Juniors, Secret Agent Sophomores, Fluorescent Freshmen, and Middle School Magicians competed for the Spirit Week win. One element of Spirit Week was the spirit board competition. Although the juniors were a close second, the seniors … Continue reading →

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Poetry by Kristin Duszak and Sarah Fischer

Posted on October 22, 2020 by fjames@newarka.edu
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“Lean on Me” Choral Performance, Featuring NA Students, Faculty, and Alums

Posted on October 14, 2020 by fjames@newarka.edu

Recently, several current Newark Academy choral singers and alumni gave a virtual performance of “Lean on Me” in honor of Bill Withers, Lone Sailor Award Recipient and a Navy Veteran, at the Lone Sailor Honors Reception. Performers included current singers … Continue reading →

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Chalk and Pops 2020: Event Highlight

Posted on September 29, 2020 by fjames@newarka.edu

On September 18th, the Upper School got together for the first council event of the year: Chalk and Pops! After getting some free ice pops, students created social distanced chalk art, listened to music, and enjoyed the warm weather. Photo … Continue reading →

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Michaela Wang ’21 Wins Gandhi Art & Writing Contest

Posted on September 21, 2020 by fjames@newarka.edu

Michaela Wang ’21 was selected as a top contestant in the 2020 Mahatma Gandhi Art and Writing Contest, sponsored by the Association of Indians in America. The annual contest strives to “raise awareness on the importance of Gandhi’s message on … Continue reading →

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Annika Inampudi ’21 & Lily Sternlieb ’24 Win NCTE Writing Awards

Posted on May 28, 2020 by fjames@newarka.edu

Two NA students have won recognition from the National Council of Teachers of English for excellence in writing. Annika Inampudi ’21 was awarded a Certificate of Superior Writing, the highest award available to eleventh grade students entered in the NCTE … Continue reading →

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Senior Interns Spotlight: Alison Bader ’20 and Jamie Paradis ’20

Posted on May 19, 2020 by fjames@newarka.edu

In 2018, the WAM blog welcomed four student interns to work as a part of the team, helping to curate blog posts and organize outreach to the NA community. Senior Alison Bader ’20 has since then been a valuable contributor … Continue reading →

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Lily Sterlieb ’24 Wins National Gold Medal in Scholastic Art & Writing Awards

Posted on April 14, 2020 by fjames@newarka.edu

Lily Sternlieb ’24 has won a Scholastic Gold Medal, awarded to “the most outstanding works in the nation,” for her dramatic script, “We Write The Words We Cannot Say.” You can read the winning piece below. Congratulations, Lily! Character Breakdown … Continue reading →

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Quarantine Art

Posted on April 3, 2020 by fjames@newarka.edu

Even though trips and events were canceled, Newark Academy students stayed busy and creative over spring break. Below are pieces by Stella Gilbert ’22, Michael Pyo ’22 and Kaya Patel ’22, created while the artists were in isolation. “Painting with … Continue reading →

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Call for applications: WAM needs new interns!

Posted on March 10, 2020 by fjames@newarka.edu

The Writing, Art & Music blog, affectionately known as WAM, is a forum for NA students, staff, faculty, and alumni to share creative work and support one another. WAM offers a noncompetitive, judgment-free place to enjoy each other’s artistic adventures, … Continue reading →

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Jamie Paradis ’20 published in Hanging Loose

Posted on February 24, 2020 by fjames@newarka.edu

Four poems by Jamie Paradis ’20 have been accepted for publication in the esteemed literary magazine Hanging Loose. They will be printed in an upcoming issue. Congratulations, Jamie! I can’t see in this fog but it’s okay for now I … Continue reading →

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Community Art Show 2020

Posted on February 18, 2020 by fjames@newarka.edu

Enjoy these selected works from NA’s annual community art exhibit. This year’s theme was “Figuratively Speaking.”

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2020 Scholastic Writing Awards—Regional Winners

Posted on February 3, 2020 by fjames@newarka.edu

This year, seven Newark Academy students won 15 Scholastic Writing Awards in categories ranging from Science Fiction to Critical Essay to Novel Writing. Congratulations to the following writers: Jeffery Keys ’21 Gold Key, Critical Essay: “Caricatures and Citizenship, Intertwined” Kieri … Continue reading →

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2020 Scholastic Art Awards—Regional Winners

Posted on January 28, 2020 by fjames@newarka.edu

Congratulations to Newark Academy students Stella Gilbert ’22, Jessie Luo ’22, Kaya Patel ’22 and Silvy Zhou ’21, who have won regional Scholastic Art Awards! Kaya and Silvy’s artwork, which received Gold Key awards, will be exhibited at the Montclair … Continue reading →

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“A Tale of Two Cities” by Alexis Romay

Posted on January 21, 2020 by fjames@newarka.edu

Faculty member Alexis Romay (aka Profe) writes about his complicated relationship with the city of Havana. The piece was published on World Literature Today. You can read his essay and poem in Spanish here. Havana just turned five hundred. The beautiful … Continue reading →

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Eco-bricks: A Sustainable and Creative Way to Reduce Plastic Pollution

Posted on January 14, 2020 by fjames@newarka.edu

Last semester, Green and Blue Committee began a new initiative within the school: creating eco-bricks. In various locations throughout the building are collection bins for non-recyclable waste such as soft plastics, plastic bags, aluminum foil, and styrofoam. These materials would … Continue reading →

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Sustainability DIY: Recycled Paper Tutorial by Silvy Zhou ’21

Posted on December 17, 2019 by fjames@newarka.edu

Despite NA’s initiatives to go “paperless” throughout the past few years, it is still difficult to avoid the printed tests and essays in our lives. Over the summer, as I was sorting through stacks upon stacks of paper last year’s … Continue reading →

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Jazz Performances by NA Student Musicians

Posted on December 10, 2019 by fjames@newarka.edu

Luca Moretti ’20, Teddy McGraw ’20, and Vikram Bala ’20 perform “Billie’s Bounce” and “Cottontail.”

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Artist Alexa Meade Visits Newark Academy

Posted on December 2, 2019 by fjames@newarka.edu

Written by Jamie Paradis ’20. In the middle of spirit week, the art department hosted the innovative artist and illusionist Alexa Meade. Meade is known for her unique artwork in which she paints 2D patterns onto 3D objects, creating “the … Continue reading →

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Fall Gallery Exhibit by Paul & Irene Aspell

Posted on November 25, 2019 by fjames@newarka.edu

A recent exhibit by artists Irene and Paul Aspell in the David Teiger Gallery incorporated both their sensibilities, combining Paul’s ceramic plates and Irene’s paintings. The artists have been married for 37 years. Paul Aspell, who taught at Newark Academy … Continue reading →

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Patio Pride 2019

Posted on November 19, 2019 by fjames@newarka.edu

On National Coming Out Day, October 11th, the Newark Academy community hosted Patio Pride, an event celebrating LGBTQ+ identities. The event was made possible with the support of the NA Office of Equity & Inclusion, Offices of Student Activities, and … Continue reading →

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Bitter Fruit Review

Posted on November 11, 2019 by fjames@newarka.edu

Newark Academy students Annika Imanpudi ’21 and Samantha Parelli ’21 recently co-founded Bitter Fruit Review, an independent literary and arts magazine by and for teens. The new Editors-in-Chief, along with Senior Arts Editor Silvy Zhou ’21, have combined their experience … Continue reading →

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Student Reviews of Summer Art Programs

Posted on November 5, 2019 by fjames@newarka.edu

Interviews and write-up by Jamie Paradis ’20. Newark Academy students often spend their summers honing their creative craft in programs outside of NA. Here, students Ben Chaddha, Lori Hashasian, Jamie Paradis, Kaitlin Weiss, and Silvy Zhou reflect on their experiences … Continue reading →

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Parents’ Night Artwork

Posted on October 29, 2019 by fjames@newarka.edu

Newark Academy parents had the opportunity to meet teachers, advisors, fellow parents, and to learn more about NA curriculum at Parents’ Night 2019. As a bonus, they enjoyed a display of student artwork in the David Teiger ’47 Gallery. The … Continue reading →

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“It Don’t Mean a Thing If It Ain’t Got That Swing”: Chameleon at Essentially Ellington 2019

Posted on October 22, 2019 by fjames@newarka.edu

In 2019 the Newark Academy Jazz Program, directed by Julius Tolentino, performed for its 5th time at the prestigious Essentially Ellington Festival. This excerpt, “It Don’t Mean a Thing (if it ain’t got that Swing),” features vocalist Sammi Powell ’19. … Continue reading →

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Fall Art Exhibit Featuring Cat Delett

Posted on October 13, 2019 by fjames@newarka.edu

Cat Delett, a Maplewood resident and passionate artist, is featured this fall in the Teiger Art Gallery. During Delett’s gallery discussion with the IB and Advanced Art Classes, she described herself as a “narrative artist.” Many of her pieces incorporate … Continue reading →

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Ava Sharahy Earns NCTE Achievement Award for Writing

Posted on October 7, 2019 by fjames@newarka.edu

Each year, the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) hosts awards in a range of subjects and for different age groups. This year, Ava Sharahy (’20) was one of 15 11th grade winners from the state of New Jersey … Continue reading →

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Digital Art by Elaine Brodie

Posted on September 30, 2019 by fjames@newarka.edu

Newark Academy Arts Department Head Elaine Brodie created these pieces on her iPad using an Apple Pencil and an app that allows the Pencil to function like various media. For example, Walpack Church and Peter’s Valley Barn were done in … Continue reading →

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Artwork by Deborah Dixler

Posted on September 24, 2019 by fjames@newarka.edu

Artwork in progress by retired Arts Department faculty member and graphic designer Deborah Dixler. You can follow Ms. Dixler’s new artwork on Instagram.

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James Blume Earns NCTE Achievement Award for Writing

Posted on September 17, 2019 by fjames@newarka.edu

This essay by James Blume ’19 was part of a portfolio of work that earned a 2018 NCTE Achievement Award for Superior Writing. The Illustrated Generation To the great disdain of my parents and utter delight of his high school … Continue reading →

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