By Elliot Kung ‘25, Feature Staff Writer

The 2022-23 school year has started. Similar to previous years, beautiful artwork is displayed in the art gallery, sophomores are dropping like flies out of Honors Chem, and seniors feel the typical college application stress. Even with these annual constants, many new events have transpired this year: the production of the Fall play Clue was a huge smash! The school year is packed with fun-filled events that create friendships among new students. Along with the return of familiar faces in our community, new faces have also now joined our regime. The upperclassmen voices at Newark Academy are always loudly expressing their opinions, but I believe that new freshmen should have the right to express their views, too. Three Newark Academy freshmen were interviewed on their opinions. 

Jacob Brodsky ‘26 provides great insight on his favorite classes and favorite teachers. When asked what his favorite parts of the school year have been thus far, he replied with nothing but excitement and positivity. Brodsky has both loved and found it easy to meet new people and make new friends. Without skipping a beat, he says, “I don’t have a least favorite part, because everything about the school is wonderful.” Brodsky illustrates the excitement of many new freshmen like him, happy to be part of our community. Brodsky would especially like to shout-out his favorite teacher: “That has to be Mr. Mamukelashvili, because he is so enthusiastic about his work, and he is absolutely the best teacher, and he is so nice to everyone.” Although Brodsky has loved everything about Newark Academy, other freshmen have some critiques.

Alexis Zhang ‘26 gives her opinion on Morning Meeting, a controversial topic among Newark Academy students. “Morning Meetings… I- I don’t like sitting there.” One common theme that can be found through Newark Academy’s students (besides the Teslas) is frustration with Morning Meetings. When Mr. Crosby asks us what time it is, we know it is STEM Time. The repetitive nature of announcements and long lines to exit the auditorium can cause resentment during Morning Meeting. 

As we finish the fall semester, students are finally finding their groove at Newark Academy. Although the freshmen crowd and block the hallways, some of those blocking the halls and creating traffic are also talented artists and skilled athletes. All we can do is hope they grow into mature students as they continue to embark on their own journeys at Newark Academy.