By Samanvi Valiveti ’28, News Staff Writer 

High schoolers often have countless questions about life after graduation and their future. Alumni, who were once in the same position as them, can give them some much-needed insight.

The Deli Discussion series at Newark Academy, which started last year in November 2024, brings successful NA alumni to share their own career stories and life experiences to potentially inspire young students. These conversations between alumni and students help current NA students get a better understanding of different career paths and their possible futures, with an added bonus of lunch catered from either Millburn Deli or Jersey Mike’s. In addition to getting a chance to hear stories and career experiences from alumni, the students also have an opportunity for one-on-one discussions with the speaker to ask for personalized advice and build networking connections that will help them with their careers after graduation. 

Past alumni speakers of the Deli Discussions have come from a wide range of backgrounds and career industries, allowing students to connect with alumni who have pursued career paths aligned with their own interests. Some recent ones included: 

• Dr. Smita Ramanadham ’98, a plastic surgeon
• Jonathan and David Wolfe ’94, co-managing partners of Skoloff & Wolfe, P.C. 
• Jake Feldman ’04, Principal at Vertical Realty Capital LLC
• Phoebe Feinberg Dishner ’12, Associate Talent Manager at Vogue
• Sydney Feinberg ’14, Media Director at Republic Records

Mr. Evan Nisenson, Director of Alumni Relations and Giving and organizer of the Deli Discussions, shared that “one of the great benefits of attending Newark Academy is the direct access students have to accomplished alumni across diverse fields, who eagerly give back, often speaking with students.” He also added that the “Deli Discussions inspire students to pursue their dreams and realize there isn’t just one set path in life.” Not only are these conversations an opportunity for students to learn from successful alumni, but also a chance for them to build meaningful relationships and explore possible paths for their future. 

Victoria Ortega ’28 joined the discussion with Jonathan and David Wolfe ’94 to learn more about the legal field and gain perspective on a potential career in law. She said that “meeting with alumni is really interesting because they come from the same background as you, and show you the connections and opportunities that you are able to gain from Newark Academy in order to pursue what you want to do in the future.” 

By bringing back Newark Academy alumni, the Deli Discussions allow NA to bridge the gap between past and current students, giving Newark Academy students a chance to build their future by ensuring they learn about various possible paths before they settle on one.