By Ethan Andrzejewski ’13, Feature Editor

Several current faculty members once attended Newark Academy as students. The Minuteman was fortunate enough to sit down with one of them, Mr. Matthew Gertler, and talk about the difference in spirit over the years.

Q: How does the school spirit compare now to when you were a student?

A: It doesn’t. What we do now with the back-to-school barbeque and with spirit week…there was nothing that even came close to it. There was no Spirit Week. There were no contests between grades. No one decorated the parking lot on Homecoming.

We did have a pep rally. It was awkward. I remember they would call us out and put us on the court in the positions we would be on the soccer field. So as a defender, I would go to where I lined up on the field and just stand there. It was a good attempt, and it was certainly better than nothing, but what you see now is a much better coordinated effort school-wide, not just on the part of small groups.

Q: What about in sports?

A: The night basketball games, and, now, the night soccer games are just wild and crazy stuff. We didn’t have any of that back then. Now, there’s much better attendance to a variety of a sports, whereas, there used to be a much larger attendance to the football games. Back then, it was greater part of the culture to come to the football games, not just to watch the game, but for social reasons.

Q: Newark Academy prides itself on academics, which results in a spirit of learning. Did the same type of spirit exist when you were a student?

A: There are more kids here at an earlier age who are pure learners. They want to learn. I think part of that equation is people who apply to this school know exactly what they’re getting, and, I also think it’s contagious. The more people you hang out with who are in it for themselves, instead of something else, plays a role. Most of the kids here want to learn, and I don’t think that was the case back then. It certainly wasn’t the case with me.

Q: Would you say there is a change in the attitude that students have towards Newark Academy?

A: Definitely. Today, it’s not uncool to feel good about your school. In fact, I would think those that don’t are the actual outcasts. In my day, expressing that kind of zeal and pride may have landed you in some social hot water. It’s refreshing to see kids so happy about their school without having the baggage of being afraid to look happy.

Q: As Director of Alumni Relations, have you seen alumni remain loyal to and spirited towards Newark Academy?

A: I think many, if not most, of our alumni retain that spirited feeling towards their high school even more so than their college. In fact, that’s especially true in the last fifteen years or so.