Thank you to The Park Avenue Armory for being a consistent partner of WHSAD's. Through trips, artist-in-residence partnerships, internships, and employment, WHSAD students have enjoyed tremendous opportunities due to the generosity of The Park Avenue Armory. In the following narratives, students who attended this most recent trip recount their experiences and the impressions those moments left. On Thursday, March 14, a group of WHSAD students visited The Park Avenue Armory. On this trip we did several activities. One of the activities was a scavenger hunt throughout the first floor of the Armory. We were able to freely roam throughout the rooms on the first floor. Inside these rooms, we were able to read about the history about the … [Read more...]
NYC Together Students Meet with Commissioner O’Neill
As a community-based school, WHSAD recognizes the need to develop lasting relationships with organizations in order to inspire and advocate for our students. Ms. Dana Rachlin and NYCTogether bring a crucial element to WHSAD, and we appreciate the organization’s continued support of our future leaders. The following narrative comes from the NYCTogether website. Ms. Rachlin and her team have been instrumental in bringing adolescents and New York City police officers together in creating a dialogue that promotes constructive relationships for the betterment of the city’s future. WHSAD’s students have enjoyed numerous opportunities to express their thoughts regarding personal and societal concerns. More information about NYCTogether's … [Read more...]
WHSAD Students Celebrate Their Work at Makeville Studio
Makeville Studio is at 119 8th St. in the Gowanus section of Brooklyn. Part of Makeville’s mission is “ to educate, inspire and empower people to build and fix rather than consume and dispose. We do that by providing affordable access to shop space, the right tools for the job, and small classes led by craftspeople who love to teach.” WHSAD Guidance Counselor, Deborah Terraferma, provides her thoughts on what the Makeville program has to offer students. Makeville provides students with a hands on woodworking experience in a studio setting. Over the course of the 10 weeks students learned the fundamentals of creating a spoon from design, to fabrications and finishing. Students got to use various tools and machinery. In addition … [Read more...]
Interview with Paul Stache, Owner of Smoke Jazz
Thank you to Mr. Paul Stache and the employees of Smoke Jazz for hosting WHSAD students. The following narrative was written by WHSAD Junior, Johnathan Walker. The month of January we celebrate Black History Month. To honor this month WHSAD students did a collaboration project with the owner of Smoke Jazz Club, Paul Stache. The club can be found in Harlem, Manhattan, 2751 Broadway, New York, NY 10025. You can take the 1 train to 103st and walk a couple of blocks to get to the club. Smoke Jazz Club even has its own website showing performance times and information about the club. On February 27, 2019, Mr. Codio, WHSAD’s Senior Architecture teacher, took a few students who worked on the project on a trip during the school day to … [Read more...]
WHSAD Students Work on the Freedom Lots Project at Green-Wood Cemetery
As one of WHSAD's original internship partners, Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn has long been a place where students have learned about history, preservation, and restoration. Since 2009, WHSAD students have participated in summer internships at the cemetery, learning how to restore monuments and working with different materials. In the summer of 2017, the WHSAD interns had the unique experience of helping to research and designate the Freedom Lots -- public lots that are the final resting places of a number of African-Americans, but about which little was known. Students not only helped unearth buried monuments and restore them, they also researched the individuals and came up with the new name for the previously-known "colored lots". … [Read more...]
WHSAD Students Partner with Department of Buildings for Black History Month Homage to New York City Jazz Clubs
Mr. Codio, Senior CTE Instructor, said this about the project: “[WHSAD] was presented with a Black History Month project from the Department of Buildings. Over the past four years, they've been coming to WHSAD to do design projects, and for Black History Month, this year, they’re emphasizing jazz clubs in the New York City area. Rather than looking from an architectural standpoint, the Department of Buildings is looking at the culture and the buildings that helped foster jazz culture. Lisa Lewis, Director at New York City Department of Buildings and one of the coordinators of this project, proposed that we design pieces for some of the historic New York City jazz clubs, such as Esther and Carol, Birdland, Smoke Jazz, and various others. … [Read more...]
Justin Lopez-Class of 2020
Mr. Rodriguez, Justin's English teacher, says, "[Justin] blends into any task given to him in ELA and surfaces with an insight that is not common for someone his age. In short, Justin's adaptability is unique." Student correspondent, Mayra Gomez, interviewed Justin on his thoughts regarding his nomination, his years at WHSAD, and advice to those seeking to have successful high school experiences. Justin Lopez, currently a junior at WHSAD, was extremely shocked to be told he was student of the month for February. However, he thinks he has received this recognition due to his growth throughout high school. Justin says he’s great when it comes to completing work last minute, but it is also one of his biggest flaws in school and in … [Read more...]
WHSAD’s Incubator Club attends NYNOW
On Monday, February 4th WHSAD's Incubator team had the privilege to be invited to attend the NYNOW-Product and Designs trade show at the Javits Center where Aeraware had a booth. The students where able to observe how product designers tell their stories and how designers display products for wholesale buyers. We had a chance to talk to many businesses hearing their stories of how they developed their products or started their business Such trips and experiences are made possible by Incubator's supporters, Mr. Noel Wiggins, founder of Areaware; Mr. William Harvey, founder of William Harvey studio; and Sinclair Scott Smith, Director of SVA GroundFloor Incubator. The following are narratives from students who attended and … [Read more...]
Antonio Rojas-Class of 2019
Mr. Powers, Antonio's English teacher, says, "Antonio is an academic chameleon. He can adapt to most any situation. From group work, to essays, to artistry. He can do it all and he can do it all exceptionally." Student correspondent, Maya Ortiz, interviewed Antonio on his thoughts regarding his nomination, his years at WHSAD, and advice to those seeking to have successful high school experiences. Senior, Antonio Rojos, decribes his four years here at WHSAD as a very enlightening experience. He finds our school very flexible, with many opportunities for all kind of interests students have. He advises to take advantage of the internships the school provides and also to use office hours wisely because they will help you in the long … [Read more...]
WHSAD’s SkillsUSA Students Serve Hot Meals at New York Common Pantry
This past Friday, January 25th, WHSAD students traveled to New York Common Pantry and helped provide dinner for those in need. Thank you to all the employees of New York Common Pantry for their on-going and selfless work in brightening the lives of less fortunate New Yorkers. Thank you to all those at New York Common Pantry, including Mr. Michael Farfan, assistant cook, Ms. Ivy Saltos, receptionist and volunteer assistant, Ms. Stacy Gonzalez, volunteer associate, and Ms. Debby Lowenstein, volunteer manager. The following are narratives from three student participants. Jimon James, Junior As I participated in the soup kitchen, I felt humble and realized how fortunate I am to always have a hot meal waiting on me when I get home … [Read more...]