By Tyler Goff ’14, Staff Writer

With a quick pass through the Great Hall, any Newark Academy student can easily observe the trophies that the school has garnered throughout its history. However, an inevitable question soon arises: are these all of NA’s trophies? After all, Newark Academy has been around for over 230 years and must have accumulated many awards in its time. The answer to this question is somewhat surprising.

According to Mr. Parlin, a longtime faculty member at NA, certain trophies had to be discarded at one point. He indicates that some awards have more priority than others. A season championship trophies, for example, gets more attention than a less prestigious honor. Mr. Parlin noted that recently more trophy space has been built (most notably in the Great Hall) and that new trophy cases were added in various parts of the building. He noted that NA has been awarded trophies in fields other than athletics. Trophies in these other areas are displayed in corresponding classrooms; chameleon’s numerous awards are appropriately displayed in the arts wing.

Head of Athletics Mr. Manigan also offered some  insight on Newark Academy’s athletic history. Contrary to popular belief, NA did not join the “State Association” until well into the 1920’s. This association awards the trophies that most students are accustomed to viewing, such as recognition for “division champions.” After initially joining this conference, NA left and joined a prep school association. It did not return to the state association until the 1990’s.

Mr. Manigan believes that  NA’s absence from the State Association could be the reason that NA does not posses many trophies from its early years. The vast majority of them are, in fact, on display.

So that’s it! With a little determination, Newark Academy students can view all of the numerous awards that the institution has earned and are still in our posession. There is no “grand stash” of dusty trophies from 1774 lying in the basement, hidden from the public eye. All the recognition that NA has been awarded is out for the world to see. With the many trophies earned by music groups, clubs, and sports teams in the past year, it looks like we might have to invest in yet another display case!