Lumen, Spring 2017

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LUMEN THE

MAGAZINE

OF

NEWARK

ACADEMY

FINAL FRAMES Two legendary faculty members are retiring this year: Blackie Parlin and Scott M. Jacoby

O N TH E COV E R :

Blackie Parlin has photographed young performers at their rehearsals for decades. This shot was taken during the dress rehearsal for the 2017 Winter Musical, On the Town.

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CONTENTS F E AT U R E S

19 Technology@ Newark Academy Fostering Relationships

24 Every Dollar Matched in 2017 Anthony Petrello ’72 Offers $1.5 Million Matching Gift Challenge for Newark Academy’s Rise & Flourish Campaign

29 Final Frames Blackie Parlin: 58 Years Scott M. Jacoby: 35 Years

IN THIS ISSUE

2 Perspectives

4 NA News

24 Advancement

47 Alumni News

51 Class Notes

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13 VISIT NA on the web at www.newarka.edu LIKE NA on Facebook @newarkacademy FOLLOW NA on Twitter @newarkacademy FOLLOW NA on Instagram @newarkacademy

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PERSPECTIVES

S P R I N G 2 017 Donald M. Austin Head of School

FROM DONALD M. AUSTIN, HEAD OF SCHOOL

Lisa Grider Director of Institutional Advancement EDITOR

Debra Marr Director of Communications ASSISTANT EDITORS

Hannah Beck David Beckman CONTRIBUTORS

Jessica Lubow Evan Nisenson ’99

Alexis Romay Jeff Vinikoor

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Chairman David D. McGraw ’77 Secretary Jane Wilf Vice Chairs Kim Hirsh ’80 William Bloom Jeffrey Kaplan Patricia Budziak Larry S. Wieseneck Samuel W. Croll III ’68 Suzanne Willian Scott L. Hayward

Inspiring Teachers and Memorable Mentors

Trustees Anjali Gupta Marika Alzadon ’89 Lauren Hedvat ’01 Donald M. Austin Gigi Loh Maria Rice Bellamy ’85 Joshua Nadell John H. Bess ’69 Samir Pandiri Lawrence G. Cetrulo ’67 Tiffany Taylor Smith Lara Coraci-Basile ’88 Glenn A. Waldorf ’90 Mary Ellen O’Connor DeNoon Patrick B. Wang Cuong Do Betsy Zimmerman

Blackwood Parlin and Scott Jacoby, two iconic faculty members with a combined 93 years of dedicated service to Newark Academy, are retiring this year. They leave a tremendous legacy of teaching and mentoring, of care for their students and their school, and of commitment

Emeriti K. Kelly Marx ’51 Louis V. Aronson II ’41 John L. McGraw ’49 Paul Busse ’38* Robert S. Puder ’38* Robert Del Tufo ’51* Gary Rose William D. Green ’69 William T. Wachenfeld ’44 William D. Hardin ’44*

to their craft. In addition to inspirational teaching that has enlightened hundreds of students, each has indelibly marked Newark Academy and made us a better school.

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD OF GOVERNORS

As we express our gratitude for their countless contri-

President Glenn A. Waldorf ’90

butions and read testimonials in these pages about

Amanda Addison ’06 Gillian Javetski ’07 Michele Chiles-Hickman ’86 Lauren Kaplan ’09 Daniel D. Cronheim ’72 Jennifer Mandelbaum ’11 Brett Finkelstein ’05 David Mazzuca ’03 Giulia Mercuri ’10 Jacqueline Lipsius Fleysher ’93 Ed Pursell ’02 Rebecca Moll Freed ’94 Justin Garrod ’93 Jed Rosenthal ’93 Kumar Ghafoor ’10 Alex Senchak ’02 Pete Gruenberg ’81 Evan Sills ’03 Shannon Hedvat ’03 Brian Silver ’09 Lauren Jacobs-Lazer ’98 Andrew Somberg ’07 Joelle Tutela ’90

how profoundly these teachers impacted students and colleagues, we reflect on how they embody the qualities of excellence, generosity, and care.

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Emeriti Jeffrey Silverman ’82 Lance Aronson ’74 William Stroh ’48* J. Richard Beltram ’41* Richard Watson ’50 Leo Gordon ’69 Newark Academy Office of Institutional Advancement 91 South Orange Avenue Livingston, NJ 07039 Telephone: (973) 992-7000 Email: dmarr@newarka.edu www.newarka.edu *Deceased

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We are certainly fortunate to have had such wonderful teachers, and such fine people, at Newark Academy.”

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My first contact with Mr. Parlin came

Mr. Jacoby has also impacted the

Mr. Jacoby, who has served as an

through a long handwritten letter in

school with his generosity, courage

influential mentor and friend to so

early 2007. Shortly after I had been

and sensitivity. In addition to his

many of these student performers

appointed Head of School, when I was

outstanding promotion of the arts at

over the years.

still living in France, Mr. Parlin wrote

Newark Academy throughout his 25

to me about his plan to restore and

years as chairman of the arts depart-

frame a recently discovered Newark

ment and theater director, Mr. Jacoby

Academy baseball uniform from the

has deftly overseen the morning

early 20th century. Of course, at that

meeting program and scheduling for

time I had no knowledge of this arti-

many years. In this largely invisible

fact or the implications of framing

role, he determined which students

and displaying it in the Great Hall, but

groups perform in front of the full

this early correspondence revealed

school, and he often worked behind

Mr. Parlin’s commitment to keeping

the scenes to be sure that proposed

Newark Academy’s rich history alive. It

acts were prepared and appropriate.

was also the first of many handwritten

True to form, Mr. Jacoby would

notes that I would receive from Mr.

occasionally allow certain acts that

Parlin about a range of topics, from

stretched and provoked, often leading

curricular matters to the well-being

to discussions that lasted long after

of students or faculty, to occasionally

the assembly had ended. Because

tongue-in-cheek send-ups of some

morning meeting is the primary gath-

current school issue. These notes were

ering, when the entire school comes

reminders of the many roles that

together, it serves as the central

Mr. Parlin served for Newark Academy:

community experience, where school

school historian, advocate for stu-

values are promoted and enacted over

dents and faculty, protector of tradi-

a long period of time. The choice of

tions, and interpreter/commentator

programs, and the assurance of their

on all things Newark Academy. Above

high quality, has become a central

all, they revealed how engaged he was

part of Newark Academy’s unofficial

in the life of the school and how much

curriculum, a time for students learn

he cared personally about promoting

to look carefully, listen patiently, with

all those unique elements of the

an open mind and a generous heart.

school that set us apart.

Of course, those traits also describe

One common thread between these two legendary teachers is a depth of commitment to Newark Academy that extends into their personal lives.

In Mr. Parlin’s six decades as a teacher and administrator of a complex school, he somehow made time to attend and photograph hundreds of athletic contests and performances.

Mr. Jacoby, as the theater director and chairperson of the arts department, also gave generously of his evenings and weekends to Newark Academy arts program. We also give special acknowledgement to their wives and partners, Joan Parlin and Julie Madison Jacoby, both former Newark Academy teachers, for their contributions and for their support of their husbands throughout their careers.

Both the Parlins and the Jacobys have at different times opened their homes to students, extending their care and generosity. We are certainly fortunate to have had such wonderful teachers, and such fine people, at Newark Academy. We salute them and wish them well in retirement.

NEWARK ACADEMY

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NA NEWS

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FACULTY FOCUS

FACULTY ACHIEVEMENTS Elaine Brodie (Arts Department Chair) presented “Mindfulness in Education: Benefits for Teachers and Students” at the New Jersey Association of Independent Schools conference in October 2016.

Vanessa Gabb (English), author of Images for Radical Politics, has received a starred review from Publishers Weekly for her “trenchant debut collection” of poetry.

Elaine Brodie

Rebecca Gordon (Mathematics) has co-authored The Joy of SET: The Many Mathematical Dimensions of a Seemingly Simple Card Game with Liz McMahon, Gary Gordon and Hannah Gordon. The book was published in November 2016 by Princeton University Press.

Benson Hawk (Humanities) is the author of an article titled “Beyond Effort and Cleverness: Technology, Language and Community in Education,” which was published in the National Association of Independent Schools’ Winter 2017 issue of Independent School.

Vanessa Gabb

Rebecca Gordon

Benson Hawk

Tess Callahan James

David Kapferer

Kirsti Morin

Alexis Romay

Julius Tolentino

Tess Callahan James (English) discussed her publishing journey and her novel, April & Oliver, in a podcast interview with Daniel Ford, of Writer’s Bone.

A series of photographs taken by David Kapferer (Director of Technology) was recently published in a book exploring the religious beliefs and practices of members of the Apsáalooke (Crow) nation in southeastern Montana. The book, Crow Jesus, was written by Mark Clatterbuck and published by University of Oklahoma Press.

Congratulations to Kirsti Morin (Humanities) who was chosen by a search committee composed of NA faculty, students and administrators for the new position of Middle School Counselor, beginning in Fall 2017. Kirsti has taught nearly every grade in the school and recently earned a master’s degree in counseling. She brings to her new role a wealth of experience in the classroom as well as great dedication to her students.

Alexis Romay (Spanish) discussed Mark Kurlansky’s new book, Havana: A Subtropical Delirium, with the author at the Montclair Public Library’s “Open Book/Open Mind” series.

Julius Tolentino (Arts) was recently appointed Middle School Jazz Academy Director at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York. This year he will be a clinician for the Bergen County Teen Arts Festival and the Regional Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Festival in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. In addition, he serves as the Director of Large Ensembles at Jazz House Kids in Montclair and recently presented at the Jazz Education Network’s conference in New Orleans. The Jazz House Big Band and the Newark Academy Combo, both directed

by Julius, were finalists at the national Charles Mingus Festival.

In addition, NA’s Chameleon has been chosen as one of 15 national finalists to appear at the Essentially Ellington Festival this May.

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When History Meets Twitter Fifty-five years ago, world leaders relied on letters and telegrams to communicate during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Today, students are growing up in a world where communication is easy and instantaneous, thanks to social media sites such as Twitter.

Making such communications substantive and effective is not always easy, though, as a group of Newark Academy IB history students discovered.

In a recent assignment, humanities teacher Sarah Fischer put her students’ digital communication skills to the test by challenging them to

create persuasive and informative messages in 140 characters or less. Students in pairss were given letters exchanged during the crisis by world leaders including John F. Kennedy, Fidel Castro and Nikita Khrushchev. The students were instructed to examine each letter and turn it into no more than four tweets. Through their analyses of the documents, students came up with relevant hashtags and created an imagined Twitter conversation among the world leaders.

# #!" ! " !# # " # # " " ! " ! # #!" "

! !# ! # +$* $*)+)( &&' ($ +* *$ ('*+)!%)+)!* ( &*)#+!% *+ * *& * +)!* *$& %'+ *( *+ +&'#)% * ( *'#& *+ *% ('#+&'+ " % + !# ! # +!% *+

$% )& * +$*#)$%&')+ ")+)!*+ $(( +&# $% "' *'&% & * + ("+!% *+&##"* +)!*+ &$#) !% *' * +

As frequent social media users, the IB history students thought the exercise would be simple, but they were surprised at just how challenging it was to turn a 19-page letter into a handful of tweets that could convey its key messages. “It was much easier to understand the diplomacy going on in the letters,� says Zoe Ades ’18. “That was lost in the tweets because of the character-count limitations.� “This exercise helped students explore the importance of communication and social media and helped them to acquire skills needed to be effective communicators,� Sarah said.

!# ! # ("+!% *+ $( *' ("$+)$"#) + +!( *+ ("+ & +% )+)(+ $*#)($*+("$+$* %)&('# +

# #!" ! " ! " ! # " !# # " # # " #!" "

# "#)+ ()+ ("$+ *))*$ ))!%' #+ ($+ (&'&' + *+&'+ *&' ( &))* +)(+ *% *+ *) **' )!*+ +'%)&('# + ")+ (" $*+ *&' +"'$*% &#)& +

# " *+!* + " %+ )!* )!* $*+)!$*%)*'* + !&#+&#' )+ *%')+)(+ *+( *'#& * + ")+%+ $* *')&('+ *%#"$* + # " *+ %')+ *% *+ + *) #+'() % $% %)*+)!&#+#&)"%)&('+

# " + &( %)&('+( +$" *#+ & $*#" )+&'+ ('#* "*' *# + (' )+ *)+&) ( *+ ( '+)(+)!&#+

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NA NEWS

From Aquatic Adventures to Ethical Debates NA Students are Empowered to Unlock Their Potential in Off-Campus Study Programs

Megan jumped off High Rock Cliff on her first day at the Island School and again on the last day of the trip. “Jumping off the cliff signifies jumping into a new start, bringing past knowledge to new experiences.

As soon as your feet leave the rock beneath them, you leave behind any stress or worries,” says Megan.

Newark Academy students are explorers. They thrive in settings that not only enrich their minds but allow them to reach their creative potential. The Off-Campus Study Program is an important component of the NA curriculum, offering students unique opportunities to broaden their horizons through semester-long programs worldwide.

Known nationally as a leader and proponent of off-campus study, NA is routinely recognized by partner programs for its educational vision and commitment to student growth. Upper School Principal Richard DiBianca is a major advocate for students to take part in the program because of its transcendent educational value. “Students can hone their effective communication, risk-taking and problem-solving skills while taking part in experiential

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and place-based learning experiences. These progressive educational principles are valued at NA,” Rich says.

“Students who take part in the program come back wiser, more accomplished and more self-reflective.”

Megan McCullough ’18: The Island School in the Bahamas Not many teenagers would voluntarily give up access to

their smartphones and social media for 100 days, but a fully immersive experience is what Megan McCullough was looking for when she chose to study at the Island School in the Bahamas. “Not having access to my phone was a great way to disengage from social media and challenge myself in a new environment,” says Megan.

The Island School offers transformative educational opportunities for high school

sophomores and juniors from around the world to learn in an outdoor setting. By freediving in nearby reefs, conducting aquaculture research, exploring Bahamian art and culture, and investigating celestial navigation, Megan was exposed to a plethora of hands-on learning experiences.

Part of the curriculum at the Island School involves learning about the history of the Bahamas. “One topic we

OFF-CAMPUS STUDY PROGRAMS

BY THE NUMBERS 101 students have participated in the Off-Campus Study Program since 2001

10 students have attended the School for Ethics and Global Leadership (SEGL) in Washington, D.C. 14 students have attended the Island School 22 students have attended the Maine Coast Semester Nearly 20 students have taken part in the School Year Abroad program

For a list of participating Off-Campus Study programs and more details, please visit our website, newarka.edu

studied was tourism and development, which taught me how to become a ‘volunteering tourist’ rather than an unaware, judgmental outsider,” Megan says.

The freediving experience also stood out for Megan.

This form of underwater diving relies on the diver’s ability to hold her breath until resurfacing – a newly acquired skill that Megan wanted to keep improving upon. “The best moment,” she recalls, “was during our final days of freediving when we dove off the cliff into the deep sea.

I made it down to 65 feet, the deepest we were permitted to go. It was mesmerizing to be so close to the marine life.”

Throughout her trip, Megan was able to apply skills she had learned at NA, which contributed to her success in the program. “Whether it was working in my research group to form a presentation for the Prime Minister of the Bahamas or effectively man-

aging my time to get my homework done, I felt wellprepared,” Megan says.

Living in the Bahamas and experiencing the culture for a semester was life-changing for Megan. While she developed a new perspective on the Bahamian culture, Megan also learned about herself.

She developed a keen interest in science and discovered that she learns best through active participation – by conducting deep-sea research, for instance, or scuba diving to observe reefs. “At NA, I am finding new ways to incorporate visual learning techniques into my studies. I’ve definitely grown as a student and want to pursue learning in a challenging environment.”

Greg Gilbert ’18: The School for Ethics and Global Leadership

FaceTimed with the only American to stay in Rwanda during the genocide.”

“The Off-Campus Study Program is one of the best things offered by Newark Academy,” says Greg Gilbert ’18, who is currently studying at the School for Ethics and Global Leadership (SEGL) in Washington, D.C. “Spending a semester in a completely different environment is extremely valuable.”

Greg takes advantage of all that D.C. has to offer, including studying in the Library of Congress. He is learning about foreign policy-making, tackling political case studies, and developing his ethical and critical thinking, leadership, public-speaking and debate skills through meetings with top presidential and congressional advisors. “I think this experience will give me a great perspective on the nation and the world,” he says.

Greg is learning, both in and out of the classroom, about modern business, law, medicine, domestic politics, international relations and more.

“In just one week, I met General David Petraeus, the former head of the CIA, and had a one-on-one conversation with Paul Wolfowitz, who served as the 10th President of the World Bank, United States Ambassador to Indonesia and U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense. I also

Greg feels prepared to handle the new setting because of his time at NA. “We – as students – are empowered to challenge each other’s ideas. The ability to defend my positions has been invaluable at SEGL. NA really equips you with the skills to handle any academic setting.”

Greg Gilbert ’18 with Paul Wolfowitz, former President of the World Bank, United States Ambassador to Indonesia and U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense.

NEWARK ACADEMY

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When trade and travel restrictions between Cuba and the United States began to thaw in December 2014, a curiosity about Cuba was sparked that has continued to gain momentum. In the following opinion article, Cuban faculty member Alexis Romay reflects on the fascination of tourists and the current reality in Cuba.

Westworld and Cuba: A Season Finale Op-Ed by Alexis Romay, NA Spanish faculty The Spanish version of this article was published in El Nuevo Herald on December 12, 2016.

Imagine a theme park in which outsiders enjoy privileges that are not within the reach of the locals. These strangers get to act with a level of impunity that is unimaginable to the natives.

And once they have acted out their fantasies, they are free to return home, where they go on with their perfectly normal lives. You are probably thinking of Westworld. But I was talking about Cuba.

It is hard to tell apart HBO’s new hit TV series from my native land. Both theme parks have “free” education and health care. By that I mean that in each place the robots are programmed – all their thoughts are fed through

meticulously calculated algorithms; in neither place can their captive minds think outside of the official script.

In both places, the memories of the subjects gets erased at the end of each storyline (so they’re bound to repeat them).

In each place, the theme park managers take care of the physical wellbeing of their people. Well, let me qualify that: in Westworld, the hosts get patched up because the tourists exercise upon them their wildest aberrations; on the Caribbean island, the crumbling public health care system only functions in front of foreign TV cameras as a propaganda tool, and is used also as an official excuse to

justify anything from ubiquitous repression to abundant scarcity. Another parallel: in both places, the rebels who dare question reality are recalled, and taken out of the game.

In neither context would the visitors accept to live for a day under the rules and conditions the theme park has set in perpetuity for its natives.

Aside from that, the main (perhaps the only) difference between Westworld and Cuba is that while the tourists who visit the former acknowledge that the life they’re living is only possible at the expense of the hosts, and they understand the artificiality of the setting and how it is orchestrated to make it exciting yet safe for them, the people who visit the latter – the legions who’ve told me over the years that they “want to go to Cuba before Castro dies” – buy the official narrative to the point that they feel entitled to tell Cuban runaways about the

benefits of living under the theme park’s management.

Is it a wonder that Cubans have expressed joy over the death of their Programmer in Chief ? The man who just died decided what we could eat, think, do, hear and say during his 47 years in power.

The man who just died decided what constituted not only a Cuban, but also a human. He branded the opposition “worms;” he stripped the critical thinkers of their humanity – because it is easier to crush a worm than a human. Perhaps this explains why my first reaction to the death of Fidel Castro was to remember his victims.

Nothing has changed with his death. And still, I am celebrating that the man who left in his wake a nation in moral and economic ruin and who was the cause of the division in the Cuban family (my family included) is no longer among us. I am celebrating.

But perhaps I shouldn’t be.

A STEP BACK IN TIME Recalling the NA Faculty Trip to Cuba In 2011, 14 members of the Newark Academy faculty traveled to Cuba to navigate their way through a land that was, at that time, foreign to most Americans.

One faculty member painted a picture of Cuba in this way: “By day, Cuba is a world of faded pastels, dilapidated buildings and roaring mufflers; by night, it is a country of humid darkness, where electricity is a luxury and sweating is the norm. The vintage automobiles, the ceaseless images of revolution and the crumbling infrastructure make us feel as though we’ve shown up to a party 50 years late…

“As the week progresses, it becomes clear that there are two Cubas, divided by a ‘silent wall’ that separates public from private. Through individual conversations and experiences not on the itinerary, we manage to climb the partition for a peek inside the classified Cuba.”

Cuba continues to be a place where aging political ideals are incompatible with current socioeconomic realities.

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Fidel Castro passed away without answering for all the people who died for him and because of him; he exited the stage leaving behind a country in which its citizens are willing to risk 90 miles of uncertainty and sharks instead of the certainty of living under his repressive regime.

In the long run, we have lost.

By “we,” I mean Cubans. We are alone. Several democratically elected heads of state and a considerable portion of the media continue to call Fidel Castro “President,” and find it morally acceptable to put his “legacy” up for debate. What about the kangaroo courts, the extra-judicial executions, the thousands lost at sea trying to escape the island? Why do these deaths not count?

The only possible victories at this point are small, intimate, individual: something as simple as choosing the food I eat, living without fear, reading a banned book… Seeing and understanding the Castro code, and deprogramming myself from it is my greatest achievement.

You may have wondered why, if Fidel Castro was such a horrible dictator, there are multitudes on the island expressing grief after his demise. You are right to question that. At some point, an Afro-Cuban woman – a doubly disenfranchised citizen, a victim of Cuban misogynoir – wails in front of the cameras. As she mourns Castro, she shouts: “It should have been me, not him.” I agree. It should have been her.

Her life should have been her life. It should have been about her. The two of us are at opposite ends of the Cuban tragedy, but her pain saddens me. That woman, too, is

Castro’s victim. That woman has offered – albeit in a fit of raw emotion – her life in lieu of the life of a 90-year old man who had the power to control every area of her life throughout her life.

Stop to think for a moment about the level of (internalized) oppression to which she’s been exposed during the more than five and a half decades the Castro brothers have been in power. That woman is more than just a meme. She is the broken soul of a damaged nation.

Remember Kim Jong-il?

During his funeral, North Koreans were equally saddened. That, too, looked like legitimate grief. But you have heard of the Stockholm Syndrome. We’d be right to call the North Koreans’ reaction the Pyongyang Syndrome. The Havana Syndrome is a bit subtler, as the media and a significant part of the intelligentsia continue to side with the kidnapper.

The fact that I am writing this proves that I am a glitch in the system. I was indoctrinated to be a spam-bot, mouthing Castro propaganda to the winds. But I went rogue.

As we look at a new year and a new U.S. administration – the 12th since the Castro family took over the island – if you feel the urge to extol the benefits of the theme park that is Cuba, do us all a favor and check your privilege.

Remember that you have a ticket out.

Alexis Romay welcomes questions and comments.

You may contact him directly at aromay@newarka.edu.

GLOBAL SPEAKER SERIES

FROM HAVANA TO THE BIG APPLE NA Welcomes Celebrated Jazz Artist and Classical Composer Paquito D’Rivera The energy in the Rose Auditorium was palpable after NA choral students brilliantly sang “Un Minuto” to officially welcome the third global speaker of the year, Paquito D’Rivera, a Cuban-born, world-renowned clarinetist, saxophonist and composer. Mr. D’Rivera composed the minute-long song for the Young People’s Chorus of New York to lyrics in English and Spanish by NA Spanish teacher Alexis Romay.

Breaking with the traditional format, Alexis, faculty leader of the Global Speaker Series, joined Mr. D’Rivera on stage for a candid conversation – touching upon Mr. D’Rivera’s inspiration in composing “Un Minuto,” his ability to move across generations and through genres and instruments, his experiences as an artist in resistance to constraints imposed by the Cuban government, and his role as a global musician. Mr. D’Rivera’s thoughtful and humorous answers encouraged students to continue the discussion in breakout sessions following the assembly.

It seemed only fitting for the morning program to end just as it had begun – with music! Mr. D’Rivera played his clarinet as part of a jazz combo with guitarist Cosimo Fabrizio ’18, drummer Teddy McGraw ’20, bassist Shaan Pandiri ’17 and saxophonist Allen Zhu ’18.

Music is a powerful form of communication and has a way of connecting people despite cultural differences. Mr. D’Rivera and the student musicians did not even need to rehearse together beforehand; instead, they let the language of the music guide them as they produced richly compelling sounds, to the great enjoyment of everyone in attendance.

About Paquito D’Rivera After persevering for many years under Fidel Castro’s socialist government, Paquito D’Rivera defected from Havana, Cuba, and landed in New York. From there, the saxophonist, clarinetist and composer launched a stellar career that has included 14 Grammy awards, tours throughout the world, and collaborations with legendary musicians such as Dizzy Gillespie and Yo-Yo Ma. He is the author of two books and has been widely recognized for both his contributions to the arts and his humanitarian efforts.

NEWARK ACADEMY

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NA NEWS

“I Serve Because…”

Newark Academy’s vibrant community service program, led by the Community Service Council and its Director Sarah Fischer, provides opportunities for students to work together to respond, in a substantive way, to the needs of the greater community.

One of the initiatives created by the Community Service Council this year was the “I Serve Because…” campaign, which illuminated the hopes and aspirations of members of the NA community. Sharing their reasons for serving helped to inspire and unite them in their efforts to make an impact in the world.

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Service comes in many shapes and sizes: from formal service, like providing healthy meals, to informal service, like offering kindness to someone in need, to civic engagement, which is service to one’s country. All service compels us to build empathy, create understanding and begin to bridge the divides that separate us.”

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– SARAH FISCHER, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNIT Y SERVICE

Trust Given, Respect Returned Seniors Inspire a Future Generation of Role Models This year, nine seniors immersed themselves in Middle School classes through the Classroom Intern Association (CIA) for two months. CIA was the result of a 2012 June Term project to strengthen ties between Middle and Upper School students for the Leadership in the 21st Century course.

“Student interns are potential role models for the Middle School students and faculty members are role models for the student interns,” said Dan Eatroff ’13, one of the founders of the program.

As interns, the seniors helped lead class discussions and lessons alongside their teacher mentors. Throughout the experience, they reflected on their own time as Middle School students while gaining fresh perspectives on life as underclassmen.

“The biggest thing that I learned from this experience is that sixth grade was never really about learning material. It was about learning skills – problem-solving, note taking, public speaking and self-confidence,” said Isabel Alland ’17, who interned with Mr. Rezvani’s sixth grade math class.

Peter Lu ’17, who interned with Mr. Jacoby’s eighth grade drama class, also found the internship rewarding and valued the teacher support he received. “Of course we all love

NA’S PHOTOGRAPHY CLUB SEES OPPORTUNITY IN NEWARK’S IRONBOUND “Giving back is so powerfully instilled in us as NA students,” says Sam Burggraf ’19, founder and president of the NA Photography Club. So when she began the club, Sam knew she wanted to incorporate community service into the group’s mission, and Newark Academy’s strong and vital ties to the city of Newark gave her an idea of how to do that.

“As a club, we recognized that children in a school system with a limited budget would not have access to photography,” Sam explains. She set about looking for ways to fill this gap, and after much research online she came across the Ironbound Community Center. “We wanted to bring our cameras to the center and help foster an enthusiasm and joy for this art form.”

“Sixth graders are innocent and carefree and it’s important to appreciate the overwhelming joy with which they look at life,” said Gabrielle Poisson ’17, who interned with Ms. Tavares’ sixth grade science class.

working with our kids, but the relationship we develop with our teachers is one of the best parts of the program.”

One of Soyi Sarkar’s ’17 favorite moments interning with Ms. Palmer’s seventh grade science class was being able to listen to her students and answer some of the questions asked. “This spirit of inquisitiveness has shown me how important questions are in the learning process and has made me rethink my own thought patterns when I learn something new.”

From working with students on research projects to discussing safety procedures in the science labs to leading writing journal prompts to inspiring students to be themselves, the seniors helped to create collaborative and fun learning environments for their Middle School students. This shared experience brought students from different backgrounds and grades together and celebrated the transformative power of an NA education.

Sam and her fellow club members traveled to Newark recently to work with a group of 24 third- and fourth-grade students in the center’s after-school program, teaching them to photograph their afternoon activities. It didn’t take long for a strong connection to form, and Sam remembers looking around the room at her peers and the children as they were talking, laughing and shooting pictures together.

Sam noticed one child standing off to the side though, “I walked over and introduced myself, and took the camera off of my neck and handed it to him. This simple exchange brought a big smile to his face, and after teaching him about the camera’s functions, I cannot remember a moment the rest of the afternoon when he was not laughing with his peers and taking photos.” For Sam, that boy exemplified what her group was trying to do, as she explains: “bringing children out of their shells and introducing them to a passion that they can pursue, despite any of the challenges that they may face.”

NEWARK ACADEMY

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NA NEWS

If You Can Play…

You Can Play!

NA Seniors vs. Faculty Basketball Game The NA community showed their support for equity in athletics at the NA Seniors vs. Faculty Basketball Game.

The event was co-sponsored by NA’s Equity and Inclusion Team and the NA Athletic Department and demonstrated Newark Academy’s dedication to ensuring equality, respect and safety for all athletes regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

Coached by Upper School Principal Richard DiBianca, 15 energetic and adventurous NA faculty members (and a few sought-after NA coaches) took on 10 seniors in front of an excited crowd of NA students and their families.

Sophomore Samantha Powell kicked off the event with a powerful rendition of the national anthem.

The seniors started off strong in the first half, relying on youth and agility to push the ball up the court on a few fast

breaks, for coast-to-coast lay-ups. But in the second half the faculty stepped up its game, relying on experience and patience to set up solid plays and secure the open shot. Rebounds were also key, as faculty proved persistent on the boards.

Throughout the game, the crowd was entertained by Tyler Mudge ’18 and Jake McEvoy ’18, who provided colorful commentary.

The game ended in a 41- 41 tie, and everyone left smiling, motivated and tired.

NA Faculty Team (Back row to front row, left to right): Alex Luna, Moussa Fall, Alexis Romay, Candice PowellCaldwell, Lamar Young, Sarah Fischer, Ted Gilbreath, Rachael Reeves, Sergio Rodriguez, Lisa Mulligan, Andrew Ryan NA Seniors Team (left to right): William Fitzsimmons, Bradley Simon, Kiran Damodaran, Aman Patil, Zach Keller, Anthony Giachin, William Schwartz, Sam Fishbein, Mark Berger, Paul Brown

The halftime show included a dance performance choreographed by Summer Peace ’19, who was joined by Tiana Barkley ’17, Jada Smith ’18 and Jaqueline Taylor ’20. Choral Director Viraj Lal also led NA instrumentalists Teddy McGraw ’20 and Tyler Friedman ’17 and vocalists Indiana Rich ’17 and Zach Kessel ’19 in a performance of George Michael’s “Freedom.”

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THE DEPARTMENT OF ATHLETICS WELCOMES TWO NEW COACHES TO THE NA TEAM!

Stephen Bienko, Track and Field Coach, joins NA from the private business sector but has a long personal history in athletics. A former decathlete at Villanova University, Coach Bienko has worked extensively with a wide variety of high-level athletes including NA alumnus and United States Tennis Association professional Justin Gimelstob ’95. The diverse skill-set required to compete in the decathlon has given Coach Bienko a technical knowledge that very few track coaches in the state can claim. Over the last 10 years, Coaches Jon ’74 and Susan Olesky have built a championship-level program at NA, and Director of Athletics Ted Gilbreath is confident that Coach Bienko will continue the program’s upward trajectory.

Bob Bynum, Tennis Coach, has more than 40 years of experience as a tennis professional and high school coach. Among many other distinctions, he is certified as an “Elite Professional” by the United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA) and has been recognized as a high school “Coach of the Year” at several schools over the course of his career. The NA boys’ tennis team has a history of tremendous success and requires a special coach to keep the program functioning at its highest level – and Coach Bynum is that individual.

He brings a wealth of experience to NA, including preparing individual players, such as Rahman Smiley ’98, for demanding USTA events and years of success with high school teams.

Fall and Winter Highlights

42 Newark Academy athletes were recognized on post-season all-conference, prep, county or state teams.

Girls’ tennis won the North Non-Public B Sectional and State Non-Public B Championships.

Swimmer Mark Berger ’17 was the Essex County Champion in the 200 freestyle and 100 butterfly. He also broke a Newark Academy breaststroke record dating back to 1967 when he swam a 1:01:51 (1:02:20).

Samuel Fishbein ’17 was named the Essex County Shot Put Champion with a throw of 48 feet and 9.25 inches at the County Championship meet.

Veronica Czyzewski ’18 won the gold medal for individual sabre fencers at the district championships.

Unnathy Nellutla ’19 took first place at freshman/sophomore fencing championship at Montclair High School.

The girls’ fencing Sabre Squad took first place at the district championships.

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NA NEWS

Anthony Giachin ’17 will play baseball at the U.S. Military Academy (West Point)

Three student-athletes in the class of 2017 have committed to attend Division I colleges

Sam Fishbein ’17 will throw for the track team at Lafayette College

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Shane Iverson ’17 will fence at Penn State University

SPRING AWARDS SEASON For up-to-the-minute athletics news, follow the Minutemen on Twitter @NAMinutemen or visit the website at www.newarka.edu/athletics.

National Girls and Women in Sports: Paige Kolek ’17 represented Newark Academy at the annual National Girls and Women in Sports Day at Seton Hall University. A two-sport standout, Paige has featured for Newark Academy’s soccer and lacrosse teams for four years.

Essex County Scholar Athlete: The Essex County Athletic Director’s Association recognized the most talented scholar athletes from each school in Essex County. Newark Academy’s representatives were Kiran Damodaran ’17, a soccer and lacrosse standout, and three-sport star Isabelle Catabran-Ewert ’17 (soccer, basketball and track).

NJISSA Scholar Athlete: The best and brightest from each school in the state were honored at the State Scholar Athlete Luncheon. Newark Academy’s representative was baseball standout Anthony Giachin ’17.

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NA NEWS

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ARTS

A NIGHT ON THE TOWN WITH NA STUDENTS The Newark Academy Winter Musical, On The Town, was a glowing success! A multitude of NA students shared their talents onstage, in the orchestra and behind the scenes to present three performances to packed audiences in the Rose Auditorium.

The classic movie-musical by Leonard Bernstein tells a light-hearted story of three American sailors on a 24-hour shore leave in New York City during wartime in 1944. In awe of the big city, they want to make every second count.

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MUSIC TO OUR EARS ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE AMADI AZIKIWE The Arts Department and the entire NA community welcomed Amadi Azikiwe, a world-renowned violist, violinist and conductor, to campus as part of the annual Artist-in-Residence Program.

Mr. Azikiwe shared his expertise in classes and workshop settings, played alongside the Wind Ensemble and the Middle School String Ensemble at their rehearsals, and was a soloist in the Upper School Instrumental Concert. He also performed for students and faculty at Morning Meeting.

The week was a wonderful experience for all who participated. Mr. Azikiwe was impressed with the students’ ambition and desire to understand the technical and artistic challenges of the musical compositions he shared with them. “To be part of the learning process and artistic exploration at Newark Academy was an honor,” he said.

A LOVE OF PLAYING MUSIC Reid Christmann ’18 was chosen to be part of the Grammy Big Band, an 18-piece ensemble comprised of some of the

Mr. Azikiwe knows first-hand the dedication and precision that goes into musical

most talented high school jazz

studies and training, and the importance of learning from your peers. “The people

musicians in the country.

you meet when you are young – your classmates of today – will be your colleagues of tomorrow,” Mr. Azikiwe told the students.

The NA community was enriched by Mr. Azikiwe’s visit, his thoughtful presence and his inspiring lessons.

Reid traveled to Los Angeles in February and performed with Grammy winners and nominees at jazz venues and Grammy Week events, including the official Post-Grammy Celebration. He also recorded an album at the famous Capitol Records and attended the Grammy Awards ceremony. He was selected from among hundreds of applicants who submitted YouTube audition videos.

Reid’s passion for music began at an early age. “I fell in love with playing music in elementary school.

Today, my inspiration comes from just that – a love of playing music.”

He has been playing the trombone at NA for six years.

Reid works hard to improve his craft and understands the importance of learning from his peers. “Playing with accomplished musicians with more skill than you have can inspire and challenge you in ways that working on your own simply can't.”

Violinists Pravan Chakravarthy ’21 and Kristin Tsay ’21 had the opportunity to work with and learn from Mr. Azikiwe as they prepared their pieces for an upcoming competition.

What better place to learn from other musicians than being part of the Grammy Big Band?

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Technology @

Newark Academy FOSTERING RELATIONSHIPS

BY JEFF VINIKOOR

By almost any measure, Newark Academy is a techsavvy school. Every student has an Apple Macintosh laptop, and almost all carry smartphones. Teachers post assignments on a web-based learning management system, which allows students to track assignments and submit their work online. And students routinely access a plethora of digital tools – for collaborating with each other, for accessing information, and for producing everything from essays and lab reports to movies and computer applications.

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At

the same time, Newark Academy is a school that cherishes personal relationships. Indeed, a distinguishing charac-

teristic of the Newark Academy community is the deep connections that students have with each other and with their teachers – connections that teach social and emotional skills and that bring together, and bind together, the members of a diverse community. Protecting these relationships from technologies that threaten to disrupt them – from devices and applications that erode connectedness and diminish empathy – has, in recent years, become a persistent challenge.

“I think Newark Academy has won the cultural war over obsessions with cell phones, especially in public spaces,” observes Upper School Principal Rich DiBianca.

Students, for example, aren’t allowed to use their cell phones while at lunch or while walking down hallways.

“But there are many little battles still to be fought,” he adds. “Because we value face-to-face interactions, we make those a priority. In a relationship-centered community, we must protect our interactions.”

At the same time, Newark Academy has sought to embrace and champion technologies that enhance teaching and learning. Director of Technology David Kapferer leads a team of educators and technicians charged with identifying and implementing technologies that advance the school’s educational mission. “We seek technology that simplifies a task, makes a process more efficient, or empowers us to accomplish what is otherwise unimaginable,” says David. “We want to provide teachers who are eager to innovate with the hardware and software they need to take their classes to the next level in ways that strengthen teacher-student relationships.”

In the pages that follow, we highlight three educational technologies that are not only improving pedagogy but also deepening relationships in Newark Academy’s English, math and language classrooms. Each of these tools aims to help students grow as thinkers, creators and empathic individuals.

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Immersive Instruction in the English Classroom When Alexandra Mahoney began her career in the classroom in the early 1990s, she often found herself tethered to the chalkboard during discussions of poetry and literature. “I would usually be stationed in the front of the room recording the class’s ideas,” Alexandra says.

“As I wrote, students were focused on my movements at the board, whereas I wanted them to be focused on engaging with each other and with the text.”

In recent years, Alexandra has sought to find and adopt new tools that offer more flexibility in her classroom configuration while still allowing her to record and project content. Her search has not been easy. “I’ve tried a lot

of technology that actually impairs the fluidity of classroom conversation because it’s slow or glitchy,” she says.

“If technology interrupts the dynamic of a class, it fails.”

This year, however, Alexandra has found an effective technology that integrates seamlessly into her classroom.

Using an Apple Pencil with an iPad Pro connected to Apple TV, Alexandra can now move throughout the classroom during discussions while still projecting notes for the students to see.

This technology has enabled Alexandra not only to take notes and mark up text in visually engaging ways but also to sit among students during discussions. She uses the Apple Pencil to project her own handwritten notes for the class, which can then be stored and revisited.

“Handwriting preserves the crucial spark of connection that happens in live teaching,” she says. “These tools, then, actually enhance learning by strengthening the interactions of the students with me and with each other.”

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When 6th grader Evan Bulan came across a news article that explored how Pokémon Go can be used in the classroom, he knew that his classmates would be intrigued by it. “Since games are not usually allowed in schools,” he explains, “a school that uses a game like Pokémon Go to teach science and math seemed pretty unique.”

Exploring New Technologies in the Math Classroom To share the article with his peers, Evan posted it on a digital pinboard created by mathematics teacher Rob Rezvani using the website Padlet.com. Rob began using the board three years ago in order to encourage students to contribute to his class’s ongoing conversations about the many ways in which mathematics is, as he says, “more than just numbers.” Evan’s article is one of more than 20 that students have posted this academic year.

Rob regularly devotes class time to discussing student contributions to the board. During these conversations, Rob asks the students to consider the mathematical principles that make new technologies possible. “I want my students to ask ‘What is the math behind this?’ and ‘Are there any other applications for that math?’” he says.

The discussions that ensue are driven by the students’ passionate curiosity and their natural fascination with new technologies.

The conversations typically end with the students offering their thoughts on how they would improve each technology. “It’s not unusual,” says Rob, “for students to consider how they would make a new technology even better, even more awesome.”

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Digital Conversations in the French Classroom A primary aim of the Newark Academy Languages program is to graduate students who have not only an appreciation for other cultures but also the ability to communicate with native speakers of other languages. “The best way to learn another language is to speak that language frequently,” observes French teacher and incoming Languages Department Chair Mary Lysinger. “Building the verbal skills required for conversation in a new language requires sustained and guided practice.”

While some technologies are detrimental to communication – one needs only to observe a group of teens texting instead of speaking to understand how digital devices can prevent personal interaction – the Languages Department is piloting a digital technology that encourages conversation in ways unimaginable in the traditional language classroom. That technology comes in the form of a networked software platform called Digital Language Laboratory, or DiLL for short, and it’s changing the way language students interact with each other and with their teachers.

Once it has been installed on each student’s laptop, DiLL software transforms the classroom into an interactive language lab, an environment that requires verbal participation from all students in response to teachergenerated exercises. DiLL records student responses,

enabling learners to listen to and to correct their speech.

Teachers can review student responses and offer them feedback. DiLL also allows students to hold conversations in real time with other students via the DiLL platform – even if those students aren’t in the same classroom.

“During a speaking exercise in a typical classroom, a handful of students might respond to a given prompt,” explains Mary. In a DiLL classroom, on the other hand, every student answers. “Nobody can hide,” adds French teacher Debra Ronan, who has used DiLL with her Middle School French students. “All students can practice their verbal skills without being put on the spot in front of peers.” The DiLL pilot, which began this fall in French classrooms, has been a resounding success. This spring, Spanish and Mandarin students have begun to use and benefit from the technology as well.

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A DVA N C E M E N T

“We’ve been impressed

by Newark Academy’s disciplined approach to meeting the school’s needs and by the willingness of so many members of the community to make gifts to Rise & Flourish.”

– ANTHONY PETRELLO ’72

of the campaign will be a renovation and expansion of Rose Auditorium.

Every Dollar Matched in 2017 Anthony Petrello ’72 Offers a $1.5 Million Matching Gift Challenge for Newark Academy’s Rise & Flourish Campaign Inspired by the hundreds of parents, alumni and friends who have supported the transformation of the Newark Academy campus through gifts to Rise & Flourish: The Campaign for Newark Academy, one NA alumnus – Anthony Petrello from the Class of 1972 – and his wife, Cynthia, have created The Petrello Matching Gift Challenge. The Petrellos will match every new gift and pledge to the Rise & Flourish campaign dollar-for-dollar throughout 2017.

Over the past six years, the Newark Academy community has come together to prepare NA for the future through a series of long-needed capital improvements and to secure the school’s future financial health by growing the endowment. This generational

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investment in NA is completely funded through gifts to Rise & Flourish. To date, alumni, parents, faculty, staff, area foundations and others have given $28 million in gifts and pledges. These gifts have enabled Newark Academy to construct a new Upper School

Academic Center (opened in 2012), renovate its outdoor athletic facilities (completed in 2014), construct a new Middle School facility (opened in April 2017) and create a $5 million endowment for the Newark Scholars Program. The final project

“Cynthia and I have been following the progress of Newark Academy’s campaign for several years,” Mr. Petrello says. “We’ve been impressed

by Newark Academy’s disciplined approach to meeting the school’s needs and by the willingness of so many members of the community to make gifts to Rise & Flourish. When we learned that the campaign was nearing the $30 million goal, we felt like it was the right time to do our part. By offering our gift as a matching challenge, we hope that our support will serve as a catalyst for other NA alums and families to make their gifts to Rise & Flourish. It truly is a community-wide effort and we are very proud to be a part of it.”

Every gift at every level has built upon the momentum, inspiring the next donor to join in this unprecedented effort. According to Head of School Don Austin, the gift made by Mr. and Mrs. Petrello is a cause for community-wide celebration. “This gift made by Tony and

Cynthia Petrello not only demonstrates the generosity of our alumni, but also provides a wonderful catalyst for all members of our community to become part of this history-making effort.”

The Petrellos’ gift commitment marks the fifth gift of $1 million or more given to the Rise & Flourish campaign.

NA parents Jane and Mark

Wilf and the Wilf Family Foundation provided the campaign’s lead gift of $2.5 million in 2011. Others providing campaign leadership include NA parents Ruth Redmond Bloom ’80 and Billy Bloom, alumnus Philip Kaltenbacher ’55 and The Kaltenbacher Family Foundation; and NA alumnus Brian ’65 and Sandra Maher.

ABOUT ANTHONY G. PETRELLO ’72 Mr. Petrello is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Nabors Industries, Ltd (“Nabors”).

He joined the Company and was elected to the Board of Directors in 1991. Since 1991, Nabors (NYSE:NBR) has grown to be one of the world's largest oil and gas drilling contractors. It operates in over 20 countries, employing more than 16,000 employees from 70 nationalities.

Nabors owns and operates the world’s largest land-based drilling rig fleet and is a leading provider of offshore platform rigs in the United States and numerous international markets.

Nabors also provides directional drilling services, performance tools, and innovative technologies throughout many of the world’s most significant oil and gas markets.

DOUBLE YOUR IMPACT! The Petrellos will match every new gift and pledge to the Rise & Flourish campaign, dollar-for-dollar, throughout 2017.

Prior to joining Nabors, Mr. Petrello served as a Managing Partner for Baker & McKenzie (New York office), where his practice focused on taxation, international arbitration and general corporate law.

$1.5 M (Goal) $1.4 M

He currently serves as a director of Stewart & Stevenson LLC and Hilcorp Energy. Mr. Petrello is also a member of the Board of Trustees of Texas Children's Hospital. Mr. Petrello, together with his wife, Cynthia Petrello, also provide fundraising and financial support as strong advocates for research and clinical programs to address the needs of children with neurological disorders, and for the performing and cultural arts at many institutions. In 2011, recognizing their philanthropic efforts, the Petrellos received the Smithsonian’s Woodrow Wilson Award for Public Service.

$1.3 M $1.2 M $1.1 M $1 M $900 K $800 K

Mr. Petrello holds a J.D. degree from Harvard Law School and B.S. and M.S. degrees in Mathematics from Yale University. He came to Newark Academy in 1968 as a ninth-grader and graduated in 1972.

$700 K $600 K $550,000 RECEIVED TO DATE $500 K $400 K

$300 K $200 K $100 K

To learn how you can participate, please contact Alisa Laudicina, Senior Advancement Officer for Major Gifts at alaudicina@newarka.edu or (973) 992-7000, ext. 309. To learn more about Rise & Flourish: The Campaign for Newark Academy, visit riseandflourish.org.

0 Gift amount received as of press time.

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A DVA N C E M E N T

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#GiveTheDayToNA

Rise & Flourish: The Campaign for Newark Academy is transforming our campus and having a lifelong impact on our students.

Contributions to the campaign have come from all quarters of the NA community – alumni, parents, past parents, grandparents and faculty members.

More Than $28 Million in Gifts and Pledges Received!

Red and black balloons adorned the hallway outside of the ILC. Students and faculty members wore red and black to demonstrate their NA spirit. “#GiveTheDayToNA” was trending on Twitter (within the NA digital world, at least). At 8:30 a.m., students were already on the phones. The excitement on campus was infectious as the annual Day of Giving began.

On March 7, the entire NA community came together during a 24-hour period in support of the Newark Academy Annual Fund, and the strength of the community as a whole was evident throughout the day. Faculty members brought their classes to the ILC to help make phone calls and many of the same students came back later with their friends. Parents and alumni also took to the phones and sent emails to their peers. NA faculty members Joe Borlo, Nancy Celente, Scott Jacoby, Viraj Lal, Julius Tolentino, Tony Ungaro and others were on stand-by to answer calls from alumni across the state and the country.

P R OJ E C T S TAT U S PHASE 1

UPPER SCHOOL ACADEMIC CENTER

Completed

PHASE 2

OUTDOOR ATHLETIC FACILITIES Completed

PHASE 3

MIDDLE SCHOOL EXPANSION

Completed

PHASE 4 ROSE AUDITORIUM RENOVATION

Thanks to the dedication and support of more than 70 volunteers and 302 donors, more than $187,000 was raised!

It was a day for students, alumni, faculty and parents to showcase their NA pride and dedication to the school. It was a day to celebrate all the transformative experiences they have had at NA and all of the opportunities to come.

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Serving as a home for Morning Meeting and the locale for hundreds of artistic productions since 1965, Rose Auditorium is “the heart of Newark Academy.”

The project will expand seating capacity to keep pace with NA’s enrollment growth and will provide updated capacity in terns of acoustics, lighting and theatrical technology.

FINAL FRAMES

T W O I C O N I C FA C U LT Y M E M B E R S are retiring this year, leaving behind a tremendous legacy of teaching and mentoring during their combined 93 years of dedicated service to Newark Academy! The impact of their contributions will be felt for years to come, both at NA and in the lives of the alumni they have taught.

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FINAL FRAMES

Bl ack wood (Bl ackie) Parlin Tenure: 1959 – 2017

FOR COUNTLESS NEWARK ACADEMY STUDENTS, past and present, it will be difficult to imagine the campus without the singular, steadfast and daily presence of Blackie Parlin. The same is true of his colleagues, none of whom has known a day at NA without him. Although Blackie stepped away from the classroom two years ago, he has continued to be active on campus, photographing athletics and other important campus events, and indulging the many former students who stop by for regular visits.

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Philosophy on Teaching

textbooks miss out on the key ingredient to connect students with the material they are trying to teach.”

If we had asked Blackie’s former teachers at the Dwight School for Boys in Englewood what direction his career would take, it is unlikely that any of them would have pegged him for a future history teacher.

As a student, he took great pains to avoid the subject. “History textbooks speak in a monotone voice,” Blackie explains.

“They also try to cover too much material.

History teachers who rely heavily on

How history captivated Blackie and how he, in turn, has shared his passion with NA students over the past 58 years boils down to one word: drama. Blackie believes the way to unlock history for young people is to find the human experiences behind the facts. These emotions and conflicts are rarely depicted in textbooks but are found in original sources. For example, to teach

students about Mao Zedong’s Long March in the 1930s, Blackie assigned three different descriptions of marchers crossing a strategically important bridge along the route to Northern China. “By reading carefully, students could identify the relative strengths of each description and piece together a more accurate picture of what really happened,” he recalls. “Reading original source material gives students a sense of immediacy and a palpable connection to the events and people of the past.”

F O N D R E C OL L E C T I ON S

Blackie Parlin helped to shape the education and mindset of both mother and daughter, 30 years apart.

KIM HIRSH ’80 Mr. Parlin was so much more than a teacher. He was really my first mentor. By that, I mean that he was interested in more than how I would do in his humanities classes; he was interested in how I would do in life. I learned as much from our brief but purposeful teacher-student meetings in his office as I did from his classes.

Mr. Parlin’s understanding of my style of learning, his beautifully articulated thoughts, and his genuine interest in me as an “adult-in-the-making” inspired and motivated me to be a better person, to work harder…and to aspire to speak like him one day! I must say that I have never achieved the “Parlin level” of elegant and mellifluous speech, but I have continued to aspire to be that better person, in all aspects of my life.

ELANA WIDMANN ’10 Mr. Parlin’s 12th-grade IB History class exceeded any expectations I had. Mr. Parlin taught because he wanted us to learn about the world in a really meaningful way. He wanted each of us to be able to articulate the significance of the Treaty of Versailles or of what happened in the two Sino-Japanese wars. He didn't want us to just memorize facts for an AP exam.

Mr. Parlin’s tests were mostly long-form, essay-based exams that forced us to understand people, societies and historical patterns. He always welcomed us into his office for pre-test study sessions where we could talk through different questions and concepts we wanted to practice. To this day, IB History remains one of the most impactful courses I took in high school or college.

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Of course, original sources may not always be easily accessible to high school students.

But Blackie, never afraid of hard work, spent hours editing documents in order to turn them into useful classroom tools. He recalls spending many nights, pen in hand, reshaping the material into something his students could appreciate, culminating in the final task – typing the documents for the next day’s class. For this, Blackie relied heavily on his wife, Joan, NA’s former admission director, English teacher, and Middle School principal. “I can’t emphasize enough how much she contributed behind the scenes,” he says.

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‘‘

I have always believed that Mr. Parlin could have taught at any high school, college or university. We are incredibly fortunate and grateful that he chose Newark Academy.”

– JON OLESKY ’74

F O N D R E C OL L E C T I ON S

For the Love of Newark As his colleagues and students know, Blackie is a man of wide-ranging interests and passions, including a deep affection for the city of Newark.

Blackie’s early years of teaching at NA took place at the school’s original Newark campus. As a young, newly minted teacher in the late 1950s, Blackie interviewed for teaching positions at a number of elite schools. In the end, it was the decidedly non-elitist atmosphere of NA that appealed to him. Blackie knew he belonged at NA in part because it embraced families from a wide range of backgrounds. “There were no students on campus during the summer when I interviewed,” he says, “but one look at the list of graduates, whose names included a wide variety of ethnicities, told me I was in the right place.”

Although Newark Academy’s building on First Street in Newark was located in a tidy middle-class neighborhood when it was built in 1929, by the time Blackie arrived in 1959 the city and the neighborhood were facing a decline that would become even more significant in the years to come.

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EMILY LITWIN ’05 It’s not often that I handwrite a letter. For a good stretch of time, though, I made the exception in order to keep up correspondence with Mr. Parlin, who had no interest in email. It seemed a small inconvenience in order to keep receiving his pithy advice long after graduation.

Mr. Parlin had an unusual amount of freedom in the classroom, something I assumed he earned after many successful years employing a more traditional approach. My favorite course in my NA tenure was Mr. Parlin’s original IB Revolutions class. It was everything a history lover could hope for: a course focused exclusively on the most intriguing movements of the past, focusing on powerful leaders and changing times, with not a moment wasted “teaching to the test.” (Despite the fact that our syllabus had little overlap with material on the IB exam, to Mr. Parlin’s credit I have no doubt that we all performed well.)

“Mr. Parlin nurtured my intellectual curiosity and taught in such a way that put critical thinking and the quest for knowledge above all else.”

He truly epitomized a liberal arts educator. For this reason, I continued to seek out his advice and opinions as I navigated college and first jobs, new cities, and world travels. Teachers are the most important ingredient in an education, and I count myself among the lucky (many!) to have had a Parlin-flavored Newark Academy experience.

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In 1967, three years after NA’s move to Livingston, Blackie was jarred into an unpleasant reality on a summer day in the Adirondacks when he saw a disturbing photo on the cover of the Newark StarLedger. “The picture showed the smoke of a gun battle hanging in the air over the streets of Newark, and the destruction caused by arsonists in the area. In the background, I could see the top of the cupola on NA’s old building,” Blackie says.

It was a somber moment, and one that rededicated Blackie to his love of this once-great city and his hopes for its future.

Many years later, it was Blackie’s natural instinct to bring his students back to Newark, using the familiar streets as an original source in his teaching on a major theme of 20th-century life, the decline of the American city.

Lest We Forget Blackie’s deep intellectual curiosity and love of putting things in context often led him down unexpected paths in teaching not only his students but the entire community. Former Head of School Penney Riegelman (1997 – 2007) recalls, “In 2002, around the anniversary of the September 11th attacks, Blackie created a presentation about memorials, citing examples from his many top-to-bottom walks through Manhattan, from the site of the World Trade Center to the memorial for the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire of 1911, and beyond. He gave the students a sense of perspective about how our culture chooses to remember and honor various events in history. It was the perfect thread to tie together the past and the present, and to help the whole community reflect thoughtfully at such an emotional time.”

Each year, 6th-grade students take a journey to the city of Newark on NA’s Field Trip Day. A walk through central Newark passes the Prudential Center Arena, NJPAC, and Peddie Memorial Baptist Church, where Catholic-Protestant church interiors are discussed.

The class also gets to see the four locations of Newark Academy in the city before the move to Livingston, with particular attention to the First Street location, now the site of two high rise apartment buildings. Before the return to Livingston, the bus travels down Martin Luther King Boulevard — formerly High Street — the site of NA’s third location.

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Artistic License Another lens through which Blackie will always be remembered at NA is that of his camera, as both a photography teacher and a passionate documenter of life at the school. He credits his father with planting the seed for this lifelong passion when he gave Blackie a camera for his ninth birthday. “I am the least skilled artist you can imagine when it comes to drawing,” Blackie says, “but the camera enables my artistic side.”

The rise of digital photography has been a challenge for Blackie. “There is something deeply satisfying about seeing an image emerge in a darkroom tray,” he says. “I believe the effort required in taking pictures on film gives them a certain value and importance that is lacking in digital images.” Although his darkroom days are over, Blackie has indeed adapted to the digital age, and continues to document NA athletic and arts events with the same passion as always – with a memory card replacing canisters of film.

A Spirit of Adventure Blackie’s infinite curiosity has defined so many aspects of his life, as has his physical heartiness. His students may be surprised to learn that, as a restless 18-year-old

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F O N D R E C OL L E C T I ON S

JOE SCARLETT ’62 It has been more than five decades since I sat in Mr. Parlin’s classes on Modern European history and American history. As crazy as it may sound, I can still recall much of what we learned in those classes.

The classes were so interesting that I actually looked forward to that part of school. The discussions delved deep into the details. We studied and talked about the causes of the First World War till we could nearly feel ourselves in the middle of the political climate of the early 1900s in Europe.

We studied Thomas Jefferson so intimately that I felt like part of his family.

Our study of how and why our Constitution was constructed led to a clear understanding of the intended functions of the federal government.

The classroom discussions were lively and thought-provoking.

The knowledge I developed has stayed with me for life.

I will be forever grateful for my lifelong education. Thank you, Mr. Parlin!

eager to see the country before beginning college, he was an early adopter of the “gap year” concept, working at a series of jobs – from farm laborer, to fledgling reporter for the St. Petersburg Times, to pea packer at a Green Giant cannery, to roustabout (look it up!) for the Cole Brothers Circus.

Blackie’s spirit of exploration has taken him to the open road, where he has bicycled across the entire United States

(in 30 days); from Mexico to Canada; from the north of Great Britain to the south; and, perhaps most incredibly, as a 9th grader, from his home in Englewood to his beloved summer retreat in the Adirondacks. He has traveled similar distances by kayak, including multiple trips down the length of the Hudson River, which he carefully documented with photos that would become essential teaching tools in his classroom.

Blackie has a genuine love for humanity and for this community of people in particular. His words and his actions reflect how much he wants the very best for everyone here.”

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– ARKY CROOK, NA FACULTY MEMBER

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F O N D R E C O L L E C T I ON S

JON OLESKY ’74 Several years ago, I asked Mr. Parlin a history question. After all, very few people I know are as well-read and scholarly as Mr. Parlin. I thought he would be a good person to ask. The question was a big one; in all fairness, I should have given him a few minutes to prepare, perhaps even days. Instead, I cornered him in the hallway on his way to class.

“Mr Parlin, do you have a minute?” I asked.

“Sure, what is it?” he said.

“I have a quick question.” (That was a lie, there was nothing quick about it.)

“What is it that you wish to know?” (He had such a nice way of phrasing things.)

The Red-Winged Blackbird Blackie was ahead of his time yet again as an early and avid bicycle commuter. On his well-traveled route to school from his home in Livingston, Blackie recalls a particular copse of trees near the Livingston Mall which became the unlikely backdrop for what he says is the most reliable harbinger of spring in the area: the arrival of the red-winged blackbird. Blackie’s announcement of the bird’s arrival each year at Morning Meeting has become one of Newark Academy’s cherished traditions.

“In your opinion, what were the great civilizations in history?” I asked.

Mr. Parlin was not the first person I had asked this. Others had offered up the perennial favorites: the Roman Empire, Ancient Egypt, the Greek Empire, the Chinese Empire and the Islamic Golden Age. From my days as a student, I knew that Mr. Parlin did not always approach topics like everyone else. Still, I could never have anticipated the answer he gave.

“There were none,” he said, without hesitation.

Maybe he hadn’t heard the question correctly, I thought.

“None?” I repeated. “Why none?” There must be a catch, I thought.

“None – because they all had slaves.”

If I had asked that question of a thousand others, I’m not sure I would have heard that answer a second time. While there are many things that define Mr. Parlin, it is his uniquely centered and pure moral compass that distinguishes him.

I have always believed that Mr. Parlin could have taught at any high school, college or university. We are incredibly fortunate and grateful that he chose Newark Academy.

Moral Compass Arky Crook, beloved NA math teacher and tennis coach, and a longtime friend of Blackie’s, thinks of him as the moral compass of Newark Academy. “Blackie has a genuine love for humanity and for this community of people in particular. His words and his actions reflect how much he wants the very best for everyone here.”

Penney Riegelman recalls with admiration, “Blackie has always been openminded, always interested, and never afraid. He would relish the opportunity to learn about people and culture, and his curiosity makes him a wonderful role model for young people.”

“When Blackie served as assistant head of school and dean of faculty, he worked tirelessly to create a deeper sense of community around the values of kindness and understanding of others,” Joan Parlin recalls. Blackie and Joan have always adhered to these values and have brought several NA students into their home, where they could provide much-needed stability and support for weeks, months, or even an entire year.

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F O N D R E C OL L E C T I ON S

ALLAN STRAND, FORMER HEAD OF SCHOOL (1979 – 1997) For 58 years, Backie Parlin has dedicated his incomparable abilities, energies and commitments to the welfare of the people of Newark Academy and to the institution itself. The value of that contribution is beyond measure.

I recall a respected colleague once saying to me, “Blackie could take a telephone book into a classroom and teach a riveting lesson!” I shall never forget his eloquence in addressing Morning Meeting on memorable occasions such as the 200th anniversary of the establishing of the Constitution and the 100th anniversary of the opening of the Brooklyn Bridge; his delightful retelling of Mason Weems’ account of George Washington’s cutting down the cherry tree; his announcing the annual return of the red-winged blackbirds; his addressing the school on issues regarding our communal life; the trips he took to Ellis Island with his American Experience classes; the ridiculous bicycling cap he occasionally wore to Morning Meeting; and the countless action photographs he took of student-athletes and artistic performers, giving copies to each and posting those images along hallways. Finally, and very substantively, Mr. Parlin recruited, mentored and supervised a superbly talented faculty.

Throughout the generations, Blackie Parlin’s integrity, rectitude, respect for and enjoyment of young people has endured. He has been a powerful force in making NA what it was, is, and will become.

We salute him with all honor and gratitude.

I N C LO S I N G , Blackie shares his vision and his greatest hope for NA’s future: “I would very much like to see Newark Academy create an affiliated school in Newark – an academy that would provide a top-notch middle school education for talented students who would go on to study at our Livingston campus for upper school. I would like this for the sake of the city of Newark and its residents, and I see it enriching our community in countless ways.”

One thing is certain: should that dream become a reality, we know a fine photographer who will happily document the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

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RASHEEA WILLIAMS HALL ’95 Mr. Parlin taught me the importance of being informed — that it was crucial for me to stay aware of local and world events.

At the very least, he advised, I should read the front page of the newspaper every day.

I took his advice and went on to earn a graduate degree in broadcast journalism.

More important than this intellectual influence, though, was the safe haven that Mr. and Mrs. Parlin provided me with during a tumultuous time in my teenage years. Whether through summers in Lake George or an overnight stay at their house in Livingston, they demonstrated that life could be expansive and that I could improve my circumstances through hard work. I will forever be grateful to them. Thank you!

FINAL FRAMES

Scot t M. J ac oby TENURE: 1982 – 2017

ALTHOUGH SCOTT M. JACOBY HAS WORN A gown at every graduation ceremony since he began working at Newark Academy in 1982, this time around he will be graduating along with NA’s Class of 2017. “The term ‘graduating’ feels more accurate to me than ‘retiring,’” Scott says. Perhaps this is because, after so many years living a life centered around NA, he is deeply attuned to the rhythms of the academic calendar.

Or perhaps it is because his accomplishments in NA’s art and theater universe are so varied, interesting and profound, that the only thing left is to find out what’s next. After 35 years teaching theater at NA, including 25 years as Arts Department Chair, that’s exactly what Scott has decided to do.

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Current Arts Department Chair Elaine Brodie, Scott’s longtime friend and colleague, explains: “Scott has been innovating since he arrived at NA 35 years ago.” Elaine marvels at the productions he has mounted over the years – from The Inner Circle, a play about the early years of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, written by one of Scott’s graduate school classmates, to the Broadway classic A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. Add to this eclectic mix the

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thought-provoking play The Laramie Project and the deeply emotional A Shortage of Quotes, an original piece written collaboratively with its NA student cast, and you get a sense of the variety and depth of material Scott has explored with his theater students over the years.

Scott’s most significant and longtime collaborator is his wife, former NA Choral Director Julie Madison Jacoby. Their personal and professional partnership has yielded countless smash musicals, for which she directed the music, costumes

and makeup. Their work with NA students has even extended into their own home, where they have taken in several NA students over the years, some for just a few nights or weeks, others for months or even years at a time.

Julie explains that these arrangements have always evolved organically. “We didn’t plan to have students live with us, but each time it was just evident to us that a particular kid could really benefit from the stability we could provide, and Scott was on board right from the start.” From Scott’s perspec-

F O N D R E C OL L E C T I ON S

BETSY DOLLINGER BERNSTEIN ’86 Scott Jacoby arrived at Newark Academy in 1982, two years after I arrived as a student. I graduated in 1986, but luckily for so many NA students it took Scott 35 years before he was ready to leave.

Scott made acting fun for everyone, but for those of us who had a real passion for it, he was the director we wanted to please, the coach who made us better, and the mentor who supplied constant encouragement and sage advice.

Scott believed in me when I was an enthusiastic, prepared, but inexperienced young sophomore and cast me in my first leading role, as Adelaide in Guys and Dolls. Every year I worked hard to prove to him that I was worthy of roles like Emily in Our Town, Polly in The Boyfriend, and Mollie in The Mousetrap.

In his college recommendation and on my last report card, he wrote, “Like Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof, I feel like I am losing a daughter.”

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Scott encouraged me to explore and discover new things both on and off the stage. When I asked him how to become a better actress, he replied that I needed to have more life experience and suggested I do something like hitchhike across the country. My parents didn’t love that idea, but I realized that his point was that I needed to get out into the world and live more.

Scott taught me to take risks, work hard and follow my passions, which is just what he is doing now. So, upon your “graduation” Scott, I look to Fiddler once more and wish you “L’chaim — be happy, be healthy, long life!”

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Scott Jacoby believed in me and inspired me to dream. So I dreamed. And I dreamed big. I felt small inside, but Scott’s unending commitment to teaching showed me how big I could really be.”

– LIZ MACCIE ’93

tive, it is “Julie’s enormous and generous heart” that prompted him to become a “parent” for the first time at age 50. They have maintained powerful connections with countless NA students over the years.

“We are always going to our former students’ weddings, graduations – and now even their children’s bar mitzvahs,” Scott says happily.

Former Head of School Penney Riegelman (1997 – 2007) describes what she sees as Scott’s most important legacy at NA: his commitment to maintaining a central role for the arts in the life of the school. Scott’s compelling productions have been his greatest contribution, and Penney credits him with selecting plays that fit into the intellectual and spiritual life of NA. “It’s as if he would ask himself, ‘What would be a good conversation for the school to be having right now?’ and then he would get the ball rolling through his choice of material,” she explains.

24-Hour Playwriting Festival If you ask Scott’s students about their most memorable theater experience at NA, many will point to their participation in the 24-Hour Playwriting Festival.

This event has occurred every other year since its inception in 2006.

Scott borrowed the concept for the workshop from a post-9/11 fundraiser developed first in New York City. Participants gather in the Lautenberg Black Box Theatre at 7:30 p.m. on a Thursday evening, each bringing along a prop or a costume piece. This collection serves as inspiration for the entire team, and will ultimately be incorporated into the three resulting plays.

The gathering of students includes between three and five writers, who immediately get to work on their scripts; meanwhile, the remaining students, who will be either directors or actors, amuse themselves (and hopefully catch a couple hours of sleep) while they await the scripts.

When the writers are finished — usually in the wee hours of the morning — they find a quiet spot for some much-needed rest, while the directors and actors get to work. At 7:30 p.m. on Friday, 24 hours after the students’ work began, the audience arrives and the plays are performed.

Elaine Brodie agrees: “Scott’s plays are filled with the perfect combination of substance and heart. He has earned the complete trust of the administration for the ways he has tackled difficult subject matter through theater. When complex issues are raised in the plays, Scott always incorporates discussion. For him, being moved is essential to everyone’s experience – from the audience, to the cast and crew themselves.” (continued on page 46)

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LIZ MACCIE ’93

JOSH GREENHUT ’92

Scott Jacoby believed in me and inspired me to dream. So I dreamed. And I dreamed big.

I felt small inside, but Scott’s unending commitment to teaching showed me how big I could really be. He showed me how art is transformative, and how the pain of my personal story could yield healing for others as well as for myself. His theater became a place to safely explore all the corners of my experience. I worked hard, and I wondered, and Scott gave me the road map to unlock my imagination. He cared.

He really cared. And he spent tireless hours proving that to his students. Little by little, Scott’s belief in me became contagious…to me. I wanted to prove him right — to prove that I could put goodness out into the world by means of art. He set a bar for me and I wanted to not only reach it but exceed it, so that one day, after 35 years of inspired teaching and selfless giving, Scott could read this tribute and know that he didn’t just change my life: he saved it. Thank you, Mr. J. To this day, all that I do, I do to make you proud.

As a kid, I learned to play the role expected of me pretty well — I got lots of applause — but when the curtain came down at night, it didn’t feel right. I knew of only one way to be, one role to play, and it didn’t feel like me, not really.

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And then, in ninth grade, I was directed by Mr. Jacoby. More than anyone else in my life, Mr. J taught me that there were other ways to act — ways that were messier but truer, more vulnerable but stronger. “Make choices!” he taught us. He cast teenagers in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, never doubting our readiness to explore its dark depths; we took a field trip to Greystone Psychiatric Hospital to talk to patients, and he secured off-color playing cards for the poker scene — not to be provocative, just to be real. Mr. Jacoby took us to plays in New York, odd off-Broadway gems that left us whispering giddily in the backseat on the way home. He had no patience for the easy way out: in All My Sons, my character’s son died, and he urged me not to just pretend to cry, because that would be a cheap shortcut.

Mr. Jacoby hasn’t only been a teacher; he has been a role model and a friend. To this day, I look at him and think: See? That’s another way to be. I see how he has given his all to “his kids.” I see how he pushes himself. (Haven’t done Shakespeare in decades on the job? Time to try.) I see how he and his wife have opened their home to so many kids facing tough times over the years. I see how he pulls off the Hawaiian shirts and the earring.

Scott Jacoby performs on life’s stage boldly, with a generous heart, delighting in the successes of others. That’s worthy of a standing ovation, all by itself. So just imagine us now, Mr. J, cheering, at long last, for you — for all that you’ve accomplished, for the ways you changed our lives, and for the promise of your next act.

Scott Jacoby performs on life’s stage boldly, with a generous heart, delighting in the successes of others. That’s worthy of a standing ovation, all by itself.”

– JOSH GREENHUT ’92

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NORM SCHAFLER, NA FACULTY Scott Jacoby and I first met when we both started our careers at Newark Academy in 1982. We hit it off immediately, due to a shared religious faith, a similar sense of humor, and an enthusiasm for tennis, crossword puzzles, generally unhealthy food and — as we discovered on the faculty trip to Cuba — extreme air-conditioning. He has been my friend for 35 years. If Scott Jacoby is your friend, you are a very lucky person indeed.

Because we came to NA in the same year, I have no knowledge of what the fall dramas and spring musicals were like before our arrival. I can only assume that Scott raised the bar for these productions.

From Shakespeare to Molière to Neil Simon to whoever wrote Klemperer, Scott has directed a wide range of theatrical offerings, often pushing the envelope and hoping for a thought-provoking evening of theater.

We have had quite a few incredibly talented student actors over the years, for which Scott has been grateful, but it is with the less innately talented participants that Scott really shone as a teacher and director. I have seen him patiently go over line readings with students who maybe didn’t understand the humor of their lines, teach them inflection or volume or whatever it took for the line to come out as funny as it was intended. And he did this while dealing with high-strung actors, stage parents, sometimes nervous administrators, choreographers, techies, and fellow faculty members to whom he gave cameo roles — even when they found it difficult to memorize their lines. (No need to mention names here.)

As chair of the Arts Department for many years, Scott was responsible for the increased visibility and quality of arts programs at NA. He has been a tireless and effective advocate for the Arts Department and its place in school life. Whomever Newark Academy hires as the next theater teacher will have some very big (both literally and figuratively) shoes to fill. Well done, Mr. J! You will be missed.

ERIC FATTAKHOV ’08 While interviewing at Newark Academy, I heard about Mr. Jacoby’s musical Annie and could imagine nothing that I wanted to be a part of more. The theater program that Mr. Jacoby has built is a sanctuary of artistic expression and student wellness that has extended itself into a powerful recruitment tool.

As I pursue a career in medicine, my life does not involve the theater. Yet, when I am nervous or absent-minded, I imagine that I am back in the Black Box, where Mr. Jacoby is instructing me to “commit to the role.” In fact, I try to channel my inner Jacoby whenever I see patients, as his standard of compassion and attentiveness is an ideal to which I aspire.

I know that I am only one of many students who admire Mr. Jacoby not only

for his teaching but also for his impact outside the classroom. When Mr. Jacoby noticed that my living situation had become complicated, he opened his heart and his home to me. This is something that the Jacobys have done for many of Newark Academy’s students — and they never even required an audition!

Their unconditional kindness has been their greatest gift to many students.

It is impossible to talk of Mr. Jacoby’s contributions to Newark Academy without including Mrs. Jacoby. They are a magnificent teaching and artistic duo, a crucial part of Newark Academy’s history.

It would be an understatement to say that it will be difficult to fill Mr. Jacoby’s shoes. His is one tough act to follow.

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Scott’s staging of The Laramie Project is a perfect example. The play tells the true story, through a series of monologues from various perspectives, of the brutal 1998 murder of Matthew Shepard, a young gay college student in Laramie, Wyoming. For the cast and crew, a highlight of the experience was a series of workshops led by the renowned playwright Moisés Kaufman. But Laramie was also transformative for the school as a whole. One lasting impact from the production was the birth of NA’s Gay-Straight Alliance, which continues as a key campus organization to this day.

The arts, perhaps more so than any other academic discipline, bring out the emotional side of its participants. Scott’s colleagues marvel at his ability to stay calm during potentially volatile moments with his student actors, writers and directors.

According to Penney, “Scott’s leadership was always firm yet kind, never forgetting that the needs of the group have to come before those of each individual. Yet he made even his most vulnerable students feel valued and heard, always.”

ALLAN STRAND, FORMER HEAD OF SCHOOL (1979 – 1997) Trying to encapsulate the 35 years that Scott Jacoby has devoted to Newark Academy — years in which the lives of countless students have been affected by the arts, years that saw his leadership of the Arts Department result in a wonderful flourishing of offerings, and years in which the spirit of the Academy was uplifted because of his work — is a challenging task. A few emblematic incidents come to mind.

I think of the time I called Mr. Jacoby to my office to discuss his plan to stage a somewhat progressive play rather than a more traditional offering. I shall not soon forget his fierce resistance to having rather staid administrators interfering with his artistic judgment. He once told me that his work was about preparing students to become future patrons of the arts, in museums, concert halls and theaters — a goal he has brilliantly achieved.

I think also of the moment when, as I was in the midst of announcing in Morning Meeting my plan to retire soon, Mr. Jacoby shouted from the rear of the room, “How old are you, Dr. Strand?” There were several such interruptions over the years, whenever he sensed the need for a change in the atmosphere of a room. They were always timely, illuminating, and usually amusing. I was very grateful to Scott. He was extraordinarily in touch with the school and its people. He cared.

Scott Jacoby is a masterful educator. Newark Academy has been blessed that he has dedicated a 35-year career to us and to this place.

LO O K I N G B AC K , on his years at NA, Scott has much to be proud of. As Arts Department Chair, Scott brought on board many of the arts faculty who remain at NA to this day, and he presided over the department during the construction of NA’s magnificent McGraw Arts Center. He has been a mentor to countless NA students, many of whom have pursued careers in the arts as a direct result of their work with Scott during their high school years. Elaine Brodie sums it up: “I think of NA as a community with equal parts heart and humor, which truly describes Scott himself.”

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ALUMNI NEWS

Message from Glenn Waldorf ’90 President, Alumni Board of Governors

Nourishing and Advancing NA’s Alumni Network Newark Academy has an outstanding community of alumni with incredible experience, knowledge and leadership involvement in numerous industries. In order to further the career and business prospects of our alumni, NA’s Alumni Board of Governors has expanded our programming to provide a variety of networking opportunities and resources.

We are glad that so many alumni have responded to these efforts by attending our events and downloading the NA alumni mobile app, which provides a searchable directory with professional information of NA alumni.

Networking Events

In order to make the network effect of the NA community even stronger for our alumni, the Board of Governors continues to develop new initiatives to foster career development and engagement. This year we were pleased to host a newly combined In-College Networking Workshop and NYC Networking Night. Thanks to Elana Widmann ’10 for leading our seminar for college-aged alumni on navigating paths toward interesting

WHAT CAN YOU DO TODAY? Start by downloading the NA alumni mobile app to have the contact details of other alumni right in your pocket.

For iOS: Visit the iTunes app store (itunes.apple.com) For Android: Visit the Google Play app store (play.google.com) Be helpful when an alum calls or emails you for some advice.

I remember the assistance that so many others have given me during my career and always look for opportunities to return the favor and “pay it forward” whenever possible. Taking on a mentoring role and sharing a little career guidance can have a big impact.

Sharing “what I did right” or “what I wish I had done to get ahead” can be invaluable for other alums who will benefit from your guidance and experience. Your generosity helps build a virtuous circle for our community.

Share your accomplishments with NA so we can help publicize them and make friends aware of your achievements. We are all very proud of our alumni, including those who in just the last year have authored business and health books, served as a judge in high-profile cases, appeared on lists of top lawyers and women in business, played in the band backing Rihanna during the MTV awards, produced great TV segments, performed at Dollywood, received confirmation as a

and rewarding internships and jobs. Our main program during the Networking Night had a new format, with three accomplished alumni giving their perspectives on how to overcome career challenges and seize new opportunities. We are especially grateful to Jon Olesky ’74, Nancy Aronson Chilton ’78 and Dr. Nesochi Okeke-Igbokwe ’99, who gave exceptional talks, sharing insights from their careers in financial services, health care and communications. We were pleased to welcome alumni who attended these improved events in record numbers.

federal judge, published op-eds in the New York Times, and become the president of a baseball team – among so many other accomplishments. We would love to highlight and read about your achievements in NA’s publications and social media pages.

Suggest ideas to the Alumni Board of Governors so we can expand our efforts. Our email address is alumni@newarka.edu and we look forward to hearing from you.

Thanks for your enthusiasm and support to improve our alumni community.

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ALUMNI NEWS BECOME A CLASS REPRESENTATIVE

Nourishing and Advancing NA’s Alumni Network CONTINUED FROM PAGE 47

Alumni Task Force

Behind the scenes we have done much more. While NA is still primarily a school that prepares students for a college education and provides lifelong critical thinking skills, we are working to foster our graduates’ success by providing greater professional resources. In order to expand our efforts strategically, the Board of Governors convened an alumni task force to assess and improve NA’s platforms for assisting alumni with career development.

This team of alumni consisted of experts with experience in human resources, hiring, executive searches and related fields.

They were charged with researching and making recommendations for how we can serve our alumni community during the next several years. We are grateful to chair David Mazzuca ’03 for leading a skillful team comprised of Asha Talwar Coco ’99, Laurie Samach Davis ’97, Susan Goldberg ’79, Steve Lozowick ’63, Jon Olesky ’74, and NA Governors Brett Finkelstein ’05 and

Connections that Inspire and Transform NA Alumni Help NA Juniors Prepare for College Interviews Connections to diversely talented, highly accomplished Newark Academy alumni have always contributed to the enrichment of the NA student community.

This year, more than a dozen alumni returned to campus to help NA juniors prepare for the college interview process. Forty NA juniors benefited from the wealth of relevant, real-world experience that was shared by their alumni counterparts.

Director of Alumni Relations Evan Nisenson ’99 said, “The interviewers really helped the students to get comfortable talking about themselves and their achievements. The alumni interviewers were also very impressed with the students’ poise and accomplishments.”

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Newark Academy’s class representatives are an important part of the school’s efforts to engage alumni for life. More than 100 alumni from a wide range of class years have generously volunteered for this position and are a great asset in preserving the connections between alumni and NA. If you want to learn more about the benefits of becoming a class rep or want to nominate a class rep for your year, please contact Norm Rasmussen at (973) 992-7000 ext. 322 or nrasmussen@newarka.edu.

Jennifer Mandelbaum ’11. The task force was diligent in interviewing alumni from different eras, reviewing existing career development opportunities, gathering information about what other independent schools offer their alumni, identifying unique opportunities for career networking among NA alumni, and establishing priorities for NA to pursue.

We look forward to incorporating recommendations from the Career Task Force into our communications and programming.

In the meantime, we appreciate your help in our efforts to enhance the NA alumni network.

NA Alumni on the Road Stay connected with NA by attending one of our many regional events, which take place in the fall and spring in the following cities: NEW YORK | BOSTON | PHILADELPHIA SAN FRANCISCO | WASHINGTON, D.C. For up-to-the-minute details, please visit our website, alumni.newarka.edu/events.

HIGHLIGHTS OF UPCOMING ALUMNI EVENTS

May 22 Minuteman Golf Invitational We return to the Mountain Ridge Country Club for a day of golf to support Newark Academy in honor of the beloved faculty.

June 1 New York City Meetup We’ll be at the 79th Street Boat Basin again this year so get ready to party!

June 3 Alumni Lacrosse Game Get out your stick and get ready to throw.

The Alumni Lacrosse game returns.

June 9 NA at the Boston Red Sox Game Take me out to the ball game. Our annual Red Sox game with Boston area alumni.

June 11 Old Guard Luncheon and Commencement Just before we celebrate our newest graduates, we honor those alumni of 50+ years.

CELEBRATE REUNION 2017!

Come back to NA, reconnect with old friends and see all the wonderful changes happening on campus!

S AV E T H E D AT E :

October 14 Homecoming and Reunion Mark your calendar and plan to join us for a day of fun-filled activities. Celebrating reunion years ending in 2s and 7s.

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ALUMNI NEWS

From Tourist to Traveler Maggie Brummer ’14 Learns by Experiencing a Semester at Sea Living on a ship for four months may sound daunting to some, but for Maggie Brummer, a junior at the College of Charleston, it was the experience of a lifetime. In traveling to Germany, Greece, Italy, Spain, Morocco, Senegal, Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago, Costa Rica and the Panama Canal, Maggie took the ultimate journey of global and cultural discovery.

“While living in one place for a semester gets you fully acclimated to a specific culture, I was able to experience a wide range of cultures and gain a deeper appreciation for each,” Maggie says.

“My mind was opened to different foods, people, opinions and ways of life.”

Maggie’s coursework – which covered global studies, multiculturalism in the media, co-cultural communication,

The camel trek through the Sahara Desert in Morocco was such a special experience. My friends and I spent the night at a Berber camp where the locals welcomed us, shared their culture with us and taught us songs and dances.

Waking up in the Sahara Desert in the morning and climbing the sand dunes to watch the sunrise was one of the most magnificent things I have ever seen.”

– Maggie Brummer ’14

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and water as a global issue – provided the opportunity for her to study and experience ways in which cultures are perceived and portrayed from multiple perspectives. She learned about the traditions, changing institutions, organizational structures, caste systems, population patterns, values and identities of the cities she visited.

Maggie Brummer ’14 (front row, center)

Maggie also learned about her own role in the experi-

ence: “I have always had a passion for travel, but during this experience I learned how to ‘be a traveler, not a tourist.’ The global studies class really emphasized the importance of overcoming stereotypes and preconceived notions of other cultures. I now feel that I have the skills and knowledge to travel anywhere in the world.”

As part of her ongoing involvement with Semester at Sea, Maggie participates in the Vicarious Voyagers Program, which connects her with students in grades K-12 in underprivileged schools.

“Sharing my experiences

with these children is a great opportunity to open their minds to all the world has to offer.” Maggie hopes to inspire them in the same way that the NA community has inspired her. “There is a reason NA students have to fulfill the immersion requirement. My time abroad helped me to value and appreciate Newark Academy’s global vision.

I learned so much about myself, the people around me and the world. It’s so important to travel and experience new things.

We truly never stop learning.”

C L A S S N OT E S

ued working at Albion as an advisor and is still in touch with many of his former students. He also attends many meetings and national conferences in his field. He is currently writing his memoirs at his home in Michigan.

1951

1940 Jerome Bess recalls his experience at Newark Academy 76 years ago. In his junior and senior years, he was a starting guard on the varsity basketball team, a game that he loved to play and now watches voraciously on TV.

1944 CONTACT:

CONTACT:

K. Kelly Marx (973) 376-0777 Richard Castellane wrote the screenplay and is an executive producer for a film entitled Sushi Tushi, or How Asia Broke into American Pro Football, which will begin filming this summer.

1952

Robert Lee (561) 747-4331

65th Reunion CONTACT:

William Van Winkle billvw7334@aol.com

1946 CONTACT:

Robert Cronheim rdc@cronheim.com

1950 Lawrence Taylor recently turned 84. In 1998, he retired from his position at Albion College as a professor of geology. Much of his research involved spending time in the polar regions – Alaska, Antarctica and Greenland.

Since retiring, he has contin-

1954 Michael Frankel took his third trip to Australia for 12 days of golf on the nation’s best courses. His wife joined him in New Zealand for nine days of relaxation and more golf.

1957 60th Reunion

1958 CONTACT:

Stephen Knee shknee@hotmail.com

1963

1959

CONTACT:

CONTACT:

Douglas B. Slade Dslade542@aol.com Woody Held and his wife, Patricia, have established an equine retirement center on their farm in Southwest Virginia.

1960

CONTACT:

Edward L. Levitt eezyed@comcast.net

Charles A. Fischbein cafpac@Earthlink.net Steve Lozowick, John Deermount, George Worthington and Robert Pasquin attended the memorial service for classmate Peter Artaserse on January 21, 2017.

1964

CONTACT:

Frederick Katz, Jr. katzjr@optonline.net

CONTACT:

1961

Mark Belnick continues to commute between Princeton University, where he teaches Constitutional interpretation, and Los Angeles, where he has become a well-known stage actor, recently starring in the L.A. revival of Neil Simon’s Plaza Suite.

CONTACT:

Curtis Cetrulo Curt.cetrulo@gmail.com MacKinnon Simpson MacKinnon96816@gmail.com

Michael R. Yogg michaelyogg@gmail.com

1962 1965

55th Reunion

1955

Whitney Russell is busy at Northampton High School.

He enjoys his position as an education specialist and advisor to the dynamic Key Club, and he often shares memories of his experiences as a student at NA.

CONTACT:

CONTACT:

Bernard J. D’Avella, Jr. bud@davellafamily business.com

Van S. Stevens drvanstevens@gmail.com

2017

Celebrate and Reconnect with NA!

OCTOBER 14

LEARN MORE: newarka.edu/alumni

REUNION –

NEWARK ACADEMY

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C L A S S N OT E S

Alan Grassano and his son, Andrew, traveled to the Bahamas on their boat to fish for marlin, tuna, mahi and wahoo, and to spearfish for hogfish. From Vero Beach, FL, they went out to the Fort Pierce Inlet and traveled 140 miles to Grand Cay in the northern Bahamas. They fished on the north side of the Little Bahama Bank in deep water.

1966 CONTACT:

Warren G. Soare wsoare@optonline.net

1967 Don DeFabio at Reunion

50th Reunion CONTACT:

MEET YOUR CLASS REPRESENTATIVE: Don DeFabio ’76

Matthew Leone mleone@colgate.edu

1968 CONTACT:

In 2011, Don became the representative for the Class of 1976 and has been active in engaging his classmates and increasing participation at NA events. His drive, passion and commitment to NA are felt by everyone

Stephan G. Kravitz sgkravitz@gmail.com

Emory or beyond, and significantly advanced the Emory community.

Tom Travisano is a professor of English at Hartwick College.

The author and editor of eight books, Tom is completing a new biography of the poet Elizabeth Bishop. Tom’s wife, Elsa, is an Apple computer consultant. They have two children.

1971 CONTACT:

William D. Hardin, Jr. whardin@ptd.net Mark Menza menza613ha1@aol.com

1972 45th Reunion CONTACT:

Daniel D. Cronheim ddc@cronheim.com Harry Hazelwood III drhazelwood@massmed.org

Franklin C. Phifer, Jr. fphifer@hecht.com

Kent Leonhardt was elected commissioner of agriculture for West Virginia and took office in January 2017.

1969

1974

CONTACT:

CONTACT:

John H. Bess bessjh@gmail.com

Lance T. Aronson lancetrezevant@aol.com

he comes into contact with.

As president of his class, Don felt that becoming a class rep would be the perfect opportunity to continue his involvement with NA. “There are so many great memories from my years at NA,” he says. “I remember playing soccer with Bruce Goddin and winning states in 1976, Hampton Abney’s great productions, Mary Berg’s dance lessons, having algebra and trig with Don Goble, getting hit in the forehead with a snowball by Tony Marcagianno, learning how to use the computer, rolling pennies on the floor during finals, Blackie Parlin cycling to and from school, and so much more!”

From these lasting memories of his time at NA and the connections he made that have lasted more than 40 years, it is clear that Newark Academy holds a special place in Don’s heart.

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Leo M. Gordon gordon43b@gmail.com Paul Bontempo received the Robert Pellet Award from the New Jersey Clean Communities Council, on which he serves as treasurer.

The honor has only been given six times in 30 years.

Leo Gordon was selected to be included in “The Emory Law 100,” a list of influential Emory Law alumni who have advanced the rule of law, made history at

1975 CONTACT:

William J. York wyork@smallfeat.org

1976 CONTACT:

Donald C. DeFabio drdefabio@aol.com Robin Lechter Frank ontheqt1231@aol.com

Steven Shapiro is continuing to grow his firm, Steven L. Shapiro, CPA, Inc., and is pleased to accept referrals from NA alumni and their families and friends.

STD and TB Prevention at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta.

candidates. He traveled to Milan in June 2015 for the International Wikimania Conference.

1981

In June 2016, Francey Kanengiser Burke took an epic bike trip with her son, Ryan, across three European countries. They covered more than 500 miles through Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic. They are both Lafayette College alumni.

CONTACT:

Noah Franzblau was confirmed by the New Jersey State Senate and is now serving as a judge on the Superior Court of New Jersey, Morris/Sussex Vicinage.

Peter Marx is currently the director of talent acquisition for the Chef Agency in New York. In this role, he places candidates in all positions within the food and beverage industry.

He is happy to accept referrals from NA alumni and their families and friends at pm@thechefagency.com.

1977

Arthur (Artie) Williams IV artiekid@aol.com Artie Williams lives in Harding Township and works in the hedge fund industry in New York.

1982 35th Reunion CONTACT:

Kristen Brask Martin happy2beindixie@gmail.com

1983 Denise Jamieson is leading the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s emergency response efforts to fight the Zika virus.

40th Reunion

1984 1979 CONTACT:

CONTACT:

William E. Markstein WEMarkstein@gmail.com

Michael Schneck Mschneck@schnecklaw.com Jerry Guss recently booked his 30-year reunion trip to Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in Boston.

His youngest son is attending college and all is well.

1980

1985 CONTACT:

In October 2016, Michael Melneck was appointed to the Senior Executive Service of the U.S. Government. He also serves as the deputy director of the National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis,

1987

Charles Newman ’46 March 1, 2017 Earl Greenwald ’58 November 20, 2016 Peter Artaserse ’63 January 9, 2017 Cort Shurtleff ’69 January 4, 2017 Gerry Gimelstob ’69 March 18, 2017

30th Reunion Jonathan Timen recently visited Newark Academy with Beth Weiner Park ’88 and had a chance to catch up with a number of their teachers, including Elaine Brodie, Bill Blaskopf, Scott Jacoby and Tony Ungaro.

Eric Walker has been very busy in Lawrence, MA, splitting duties between working with challenged youth and doing event planning with his wife. He is helping NA classmate Loren Weiss Selig with

Paul Amsterdam ’72 March 6, 2017 John R. Redmond, Jr. ’73 February 5, 2017 Catherine Barlow Garrison ’76 November 23, 2016 Sybil McPerson Seymour Aronson Former Trustee September 7, 2016

Kimberley Griffinger Wachtel kgwachtel@gmail.com Jill Edwards Resnick lives in Phoenix and works as director of community development investments at Charles Schwab Bank.

CONTACT:

Kim S. Hirsh KHirsh@jfedgmw.org

Michele Chiles-Hickman was recognized for her work as a sales associate at Berkshire Hathaway Home Services with an NJ Realtors Circle of Excellence Sales Award (Bronze) and was inducted into the Berkshire Hathaway Home Services 2016 Leading Edge Society.

We Fondly Remember

1986 CONTACT:

Betsy Dollinger Bernstein bdb1@mac.com James C. Schachtel Jschachtel@verizon.net Daniel B. Case is involved with helping local political

HIRE

Are you or your company looking to hire an intern or fill a position?

Perhaps you are a recent alumnus/ a looking for an internship or job?

In either case, being connected to our NA LinkedIn Group is extremely beneficial.

Be sure to connect with us today and post any career opportunities to our group. You can also email any internship or job openings to Evan Nisenson at enisenson@newarka.edu and he will share them with the NA Alumni Community.

NA!

NEWARK ACADEMY

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C L A S S N OT E S

2

1

her daughter’s upcoming Bat Mitzvah and will be providing music at his upcoming 30th NA Reunion. Facebook is a great tool that has allowed him to reconnect with people!

1988

1992 25th Reunion Michele Haiken published Gamify Literacy: Boost Comprehension, Collaboration and Learning, written in collaboration with literacy experts and gaming professionals.

CONTACT:

Lara Coraci Basile ljc@norpak.net Matthew McTamaney mattheynow@yahoo.com Melissa Dollinger Shein msheinus@yahoo.com

3

1989 CONTACT:

Stacey Bradford stacey.bradford@gmail.com Donny Stroh and his wife have been living in London for the past two years. They travel as much as possible with their son, Ryan (8).

Donny has also enjoyed reconnecting with classmate Jason Marino.

4

1990

1993 CONTACT:

Timothy E. Herburger burgermac@mac.com Jed S. Rosenthal jedrosenthal@gmail.com Greg Kraut joined K Property Group (KPG) as managing partner.

1994 CONTACT:

Pamela Helfant Vichengrad pamelavich@hotmail.com Adam Kimowitz was named a New Jersey Monthly Jersey Choice Top Dentist in the magazine’s annual survey of New Jersey dentists and will be included in the upcoming July 2017 issue.

CONTACT:

Glenn A. Waldorf gwaldorf@ bell-environmental.com Jason Berlin has been working on an app that would serve as a rapid-response protester alert to help undocumented immigrants in Los Angeles call in a flash mob to peacefully protest when they are being raided by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. He would love to hear from anyone with app skills or ideas.

5

1. Author and editor Tom Travisano ’60

CONTACT:

3. Kent Leonhardt ’72, sworn in as West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture

Richard L. Worth richardworth2001@yahoo.com

5. A mini-reunion: Ryan Howard ’97, Kara Beth Chenitz Jozsa ’98, Rima Shah ’98, Jade-Addon Hall ’98, Roshan Shah’98 and Pinakin Jethwa’98 (with his son)

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CONTACT:

Kathleen Mangunay Pergament katmango@aol.com

1996 CONTACT:

Jason S. Granet grizo1222@yahoo.com Andrew Slutzky andrewzky@gmail.com

1997 20th Reunion

2. Alan Grassano ’65 and his “catch of the day” 4. Francey Kanengiser Burke ’76 and son Ryan on their European adventure

54

1991

1995

CONTACT:

Amanda Rubinstein Black amandahblack@gmail.com

1998 CONTACT:

Jack A. Hyman jahyman@gmail.com Lauren Jacobs-Lazer laurenjacobslazer@gmail.com Jenna Smith Schwerdt jenna@smithdesign.com Jenna Smith Schwerdt made the list of the Best 50 Women in Business in New Jersey. She is president and chief executive officer of Smith Design.

NEWARK ACADEMY ALUMNI APP! The perfect resource to have at your fingertips when you need to find a classmate’s contact information or want to know what alumni events are happening near you. Visit the iTunes or Google Play App Store to download the NA Alumni mobile app to your device.

1999 John Gregory Jcg681@gmail.com

Serena (5) and brother Sidney (3) are thrilled with the new addition.

(www.ueni.com), which is a search engine for local services.

Asha Talwar Coco asha.talwar@gmail.com

2000

2001

CONTACT:

CONTACT:

Alison Poole Lasher alisonklasher@gmail.com

Colin R. Griggs cgriggs13@yahoo.com

Christopher Cardoso and his wife, Brittany, welcomed their son, Nathaniel Kade Cardoso, on January 10, 2017, in Napa, CA.

Brian McGaughan bmcgaughan@gmail.com

CONTACT:

April Uy and Jay Jones welcomed their second daughter, Sasha Lenore Jones, on January 8, 2017.

Dania Matos was hired as the first deputy chief diversity officer at the College of William and Mary.

Evan Nisenson and his wife, Lauren, welcomed Iris Julia Nisenson to their family on November 29, 2016.

Stacy Rapacon and her husband, David Hodas, welcomed a happy and healthy baby boy, Edward, on January 25, 2017. He is the family’s third child; big sister

Elissa Rome Emden and her husband, David, welcomed a beautiful baby girl, Skyler Rome Emden, on March 2, 2017. Skyler joins big brother Mikey (3). The Emden family resides in New York.

Christine Telyan and her husband recently started a tech company, UENI

2016–2017

Danielle Schwartz Auerbach and husband, Jon, are proud to show their son Robby and daughter Allison wearing their NA hats.

In October 2016, Julie Jacobs married Ari Selman at her parents’ home in New Vernon.

Julie’s siblings, Lauren Jacobs ’98, Sam Jacobs ’08 and Erica Jacobs ’12, were there to celebrate. Many NA friends also shared this spe-

NA ANNUAL FUND

cial day with them, the including Rachel Slutsky Reader ’00, Jenna Slutsky ’05, Jason Morman ’02, Lauren Hedvat ’01, Brandon Hedvat ’06, Shannon Hedvat ’03, Becca Tramiel ’01, Rachel Klinghoffer ’01, Bobby Paster ’01 and Richie Kimowitz ’01.

Richard Kimowitz and his wife, Stefanie, welcomed their second child, Fara Ruby, on January 2, 2017. Fara joins her big brother, Asher (3).

Fara was the winner of Livingston’s annual West Essex Tribune First Baby Contest for 2017.

Dalia Mitra Woroniec met her husband, Scott, at business school in 2012. They had a fusion beach wedding in Naples, FL, and now live in Chicago.

A gift today has impact that lasts a lifetime!

SUPPORT NA: newarka.edu/alumni

NEWARK ACADEMY

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C L A S S N OT E S

2002 15th Reunion CONTACT:

6

Joshua Jacobs joshua.s.jacobs@gmail.com

7

Marcelo C. Porto mark.c.porto@gmail.com Alexander C. Senchak alex.senchak@gmail.com Andrew Martino is a founding team member and director of sales for What Tax Form, a tech startup that was recently accepted into the Techsters Anywhere Program. The company specializes in expediting on-boarding and ensuring compliance of all required tax documents.

8

9

2003 CONTACT:

Lauren H. Anderson lauren.h.anderson@gmail.com David R. Mazzuca david.mazzuca@gmail.com David N. Rattner drattner07@gmail.com Evan P. Sills evan.sills@gmail.com Brad Chernock and his wife, Diana, welcomed their first child in January. Brad works as a physician’s assistant in trauma/surgical critical care and is finishing his second year of medical school at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School.

10

11 6. Evan Nisenson’s ’99 daughter, Iris Julia 7. Stacy Rapacon ’99 (right) and her family, with new addition Edward 8. Christopher Cardoso ’00 with baby Nathaniel and wife Brittany 9. Skyler Rome Emden, little daughter of Elissa Rome Emden ’00

56

2004 Danielle Grunebaum White dlsimon85@gmail.com Kathryn Pagos katie.pagos@gmail.com Stephanie Reingold simma.reingold@gmail.com

11. Beautiful bride Julie Jacobs ’01 with husband Ari Selman

Louise Ball Schutte louisehira@gmail.com

I SPRING 2017

2005 CONTACT:

Jonathan Allocca jonathan.allocca@gmail.com Gabriel Gaviola gabe.c.gaviola@gmail.com Molly McGaughan molly.mcgaughan@gmail.com Bridget Duffy Raines Bridgetpraines@gmail.com Jason Luks was spotted singing and dancing in a recent Saturday Night Live sketch.

Eva Olesky Ostrowsky and her husband, Brian, welcomed their son, Edward Healy Ostrowsky, on July 25, 2016.

2006 CONTACT:

Julia Appel appel.julie@gmail.com Sarah Marcus Hansen sarahmarcushansen @gmail.com Brandon Hedvat bhedvat@gmail.com Ilana Mandelbaum Sterling ilana.mandelbaum@gmail.com Asia Stewart asiamstewart@gmail.com

CONTACT:

10. Children of Danielle Schwartz Auerbach ’01 showing off their NA gear!

LUMEN

Eric Carniol will be completing his residency in otolaryngology/head and neck surgery as chief resident in June and will be starting a fellowship in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery at the University of Toronto.

2007 10th Reunion CONTACT:

David Doobin doobind@gmail.com Catherine Pfeffer catherine.pfeffer@gmail.com

MEET YOUR CLASS REPRESENTATIVE: Sarah Marcus Hansen ’06 From her time at NA – with involvement in programs such as Make-A-Wish, Habitat for Humanity and the Minuteman newspaper – Sarah is no stranger to service and generosity of spirit. Now, she continues to volunteer her time as a representative for the Class of 2006.

Sarah has many fond memories of her involvement in student activities at NA. “I was incredibly involved with Prisms,” she recalls, “and I loved discussing and selecting student submissions that came to us via the ‘fuzzy box.’ During my senior year, Lyric and Vigoroso traveled to Ireland on tour. We had an amazing trip seeing the country, doing a homestay with a local family, and performing in schools and churches. On our last night, Mr. Parlin sang ‘Some Enchanted Evening’ for us as a thank-you, and we later named our CD after that moment.”

Despite the fact that Sarah’s fellow classmates are spread across the country and the world, they continue to stay in touch through group text messages and social media. “NA gave us a great education and instilled values of integrity, compassion and excellence. As a class representative, I hope to continue to remind my classmates of all that we learned and to ensure that the current classes have an experience to match.”

Emily Simon emily.c.simon@me.com

Christina A. Colizza christina.colizza@gmail.com

Andrew Somberg asomberg@gmail.com

Rebecca Curwin rebecca.curwin@gmail.com

2008 CONTACT:

David Frank david.frank44@gmail.com Alexa Gruber alexa.gruber@richmond.edu Lynn Olesky lynnolesky@gmail.com Maximilian C. Staiger mstaiger41@me.com

2009 CONTACT:

Andrew S. Binger abinger1990@gmail.com

Shannon Lam shannonrlam@gmail.com Brian L. Silver briansilver0711@gmail.com Brittany Aldredge is graduating from the George Washington University Law School and GW’s Elliott School of International Affairs this year with a joint J.D./M.A. in international affairs. Her studies and previous work experience have focused on immigration, refugee assistance and child protection issues. During her final year as a graduate student, she was a global fellow with the nonprofit organization Refugee and Immigrant

Services (RISE). Her graduate thesis work included interviewing Syrian refugees in Berlin to understand and assess the needs of refugees in an urban setting. With this research, she seeks to empower policymakers with information on how to effectively and efficiently integrate refugees into their host countries and mitigate national security concerns.

Patrick Kelly patrick.o.d.kelly@gmail.com

Andrew Binger played the role of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in the play The Mountaintop at the Villagers Theatre in Somerset. A number of NA faculty attended the production.

CONTACT:

2010

Katie Johnson began her architectural career and is currently working for NK Architects.

CONTACT:

Lisa Fischer lisasuefischer@gmail.com

Brian McHugh mchugh.brian10@gmail.com Alex Ratner is currently the music assistant for the new Broadway musical War Paint, starring Patti LuPone and Christine Ebersole.

2011 Jordan I. Jett jordanjett13@gmail.com Jennifer Mandelbaum jmande15@bu.edu Jourdan McGhee jourdan.mcghee@gmail.com

NEWARK ACADEMY

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2012 5th Reunion CONTACT:

Christopher P. Davis davis.cp@gmail.com Shane S. Neibart ssneibart@gmail.com

12

Carissa E. Szlosek szlosek@wisc.edu

2013 CONTACT:

SaVonne Anderson savonneanderson@gmail.com Matt Cowen mcowen95@gmail.com

2014 13

14

Jasmine Gamboa jgamboa19@amherst.edu Nicholas Murray nsm407@gmail.com Zachary Persing zcpersing@gmail.com Matthew Thekkethala matt@learnforlife foundation.org

2016 CONTACT:

Courtney Cooperman courtneycooperman @comcast.net Jacob Furst Jacobfurst20@gmail.com Joshua Martin Martinjoshua029@gmail.com

Jai Ghose jghose@andrew.cmu.edu

Elizabeth Merrigan Elizabeth.merrigan16 @gmail.com

Thomas Pan tpan14@gmail.com

Samuel Vazir samvazir@gmail.com

Lauren Whelan lmw025@bucknell.edu

Bryan Wilensky bryanwsemail@gmail.com

Jacob Wieseneck jwieseneck@gmail.com

Mackenna Woods Mackennavalle@gmail.com

Tyler Park recently returned from a study abroad trip to Australia.

George Haglund is a freshman at Harvard University and made first-team All-Ivy League in fencing.

CONTACT:

15

2015 CONTACT:

Madeline DeLamielleure maddydelamielleure15 @gmail.com

ARE YOU A BLOGGER?

16

12. Former members of the NA girls’ basketball team at Networking Night: Julie Jacobs ’01, Chizzy Igbokwe ’01, Danielle Garrod ’98 and Nesochi Okeke Igbokwe ’99 13. Fara Ruby, daughter of Richard Kimowitz ’01 14. Edward Healy, son of Eva Olesky Ostrowsky ’05 15. Andrew Binger ’09 (center) with Kanika Brooks, Scott M. Jacoby, Julie Madison Jacoby, Viraj Lal and Mary Lysinger 16. Tyler Park ’14 skydiving in Australia

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We are planning to kick-off a new series in Lumen magazine and on our website featuring alumni blogs. What’s your passion?

What are you blogging about? Send the name and link to your blog along with a short description to: alumni@newarka.edu; subject line: NA Blogroll. We’d love to share your stories and perspectives with fellow alumni!

Intellectual POWER, Intellectual PLAY

GLOBAL thinking Each VALUED, All CELEBRATED Memorable MENTORS

TRUST Given, RESPECT Returned

It’s the Financial Aid and Scholarships

NA WAY

Faculty Professional Development

Experiential Learning

Immersion Trips

Athletics

Alumni Programming

Performing and Visual Arts Programs

Every gift is meaningful. Make yours today at newarka.edu/giving

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Parents of alumni: If this publication is addressed to your child and he or she no longer maintains a permanent residence at your home, please notify the alumni office, alumni@newarka.edu.

This publication has been printed on recycled papers certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. In doing so, Newark Academy is supporting environmentally responsible, socially beneficial and economically viable management of the world’s forests.

NEWARK ACADEMY ALUMNI Explore the new pages on our website designed specifically for you!

Launching in July 2017 www.newarka.edu/alumni

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