Thanks to our Assistant Principal, Mr. D’Amato, and the connections he’s made, WHSAD had the opportunity to host a visiting Italian school. I.I.S. Pomponio Leto Teggiano is a fellow architecture and design school, located in Salerno, that we’ve been in communication with for a few years now. Coming in on Saturday, December 7th, the students spent the whole week together, exploring the city, creating lasting connections, and learning about one another’s cultures. They went to the Statue of Liberty, saw MacBeth, and wandered around the galleries of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. At the end of the week, both groups of students collaborated to create a presentation using Lucid, showcasing what they learned through their shared time. WHSAD was honored to host such a big event, and we look forward to many more.
This whole trip was part of WHSAD’s Italian Club, led by Mr. D’Amato and Global History teacher, Ms. Como, which was created to give students the opportunity to learn about Italian language and culture. Currently, the participating students are learning Italian, in the hopes of attending a similar trip to Italy next year.
Each day that week a different group of WHSAD students attended a trip with the I.I.S. Pomponio Leto Teggiano visiting students, accompanied by their teachers and principal. They traveled all over the city, learning about New York culture and history.
While on a trip to Staten Island both groups learned about Italian-American culture within New York. This particular experience was possible thanks to Heather Butts from HEALTH for Youths. Starting at the Staten Island Borough Hall, they were given a tour of the building, and taught about the Italian background of Staten Island history. Afterwards, students went to an Italian restaurant where they got to meet the Head Chef, Massimo Felici, who himself is from Milan. “The food was amazing, and I enjoyed learning about the history of the borough.” said Alexa Kinlaw, WHSAD student attendee. Both groups of students learned a lot from one another, including their intertwined history. This is just one example of how this event was, at its core, a cultural experience.
Visiting the New York State Supreme Court, students were given a tour of the facilities by Acting Supreme Court Justice Maria Aragona and Surrogate Judge Rosemarie Montalbano. Students got to see the behind the scenes of the American justice system, and learn about the different roles within the court. They saw the courtroom, the office spaces, and where potential jurors are interviewed. They talked with Maria Aragona about her own Italian-American background, and learned how her career was shaped by it.
This intimate cultural experience has broadened the students’ perspectives through art, cuisine, and history. They learned about one another by understanding how their shared differences contribute to our city. Students from both schools walked away with lifelong connections, and a newly opened mind. WHSAD was happy to host Polo Liceale Pomponio Leto of Teggiano, and we look forward to future connections with them.
From Assistant Principal Giovanni D’Amato:
The past week has been an incredible whirlwind of excitement and connection. Thirteen students from Polo Liceale Pomponio Leto of Teggiano, Salerno, Italy have become part of our school’s extended family, leaving an indelible mark on our community. The students spent their time in the U.S. working on completing a bilingual Lucid Board presentation working under the guidance of Mr. Codio, Ms. Como, and Mr. Rodriguez. The Board was shared by students on their final day at WHSAD. It covered their experiences at the Statue of Liberty, Lower Manhattan, Staten Island, Central Park, MOMA, Met Museum, and the Williamsburg and Brooklyn Bridges.
The students were accompanied by Principal Mariella Maria D’Alessio and educators Roberto Manzolillo, Antonio La Maida, Claudia Mea, and Oriana Vertucci.
Heather Butts of HEALTH for Youths and Chef Massimo Felici: thank you for sharing with us a glimpse of the Italian American experience and amazing Italian food on Staten Island.
To Acting Supreme Court Justice Maria Aragona and Surrogate Judge Rosemarie Montalbano: we are deeply grateful for welcoming our students into your chambers and providing such an engaging and insightful explanation of the legal process.
From Italian Club Leader, Ms. Como:
A group of Italian students and teachers recently visited WHSAD embarking on a fascinating journey through the architectural history of New York City. Just like students at WHSAD, our visitors are enrolled in a high school focused on architecture, the Liceo Artistico (Arts High School) of Teggiano, Salerno, Italy. During their time at WHSAD, the Italian visitors worked with members of our school’s Italian Club. Together, they explored iconic landmarks, delving into their architectural styles and the stories they tell about the city’s evolution. Ultimately, the visit challenged students to consider whether New York City truly embodies a “melting pot” – where diverse cultures blend into a homogenous whole – or a “mosaic” – where distinct cultures retain their individuality while contributing to a vibrant tapestry. Through their research and discussions, students gained a deeper understanding of the city’s complex and multifaceted identity. Utilizing the Lucid platform (see below), students documented their observations. They uploaded photographs of notable structures and wrote insightful reflections on the historical and cultural significance of each landmark. This collaborative project provided a valuable opportunity for cultural exchange. Students from both nations engaged in discussions despite a language barrier and were able to foster mutual understanding and appreciation for diverse cultural viewpoints.
Yusuf Alqaifi
Recently, a group of 17- and 18-year-old seniors from Italy spent time in New York City to figure out if it’s more of a melting pot or a cultural mosaic. These students have been learning English for a while, but they still struggled a little with the language. They’re super friendly and affectionate, which was interesting because American culture isn’t usually that touchy. Sometimes, I thought they were dating, but it turns out that’s just how they show love!
During our time together, we talked about how architecture is a job that women often pursue in Italy, but that’s not really the case here in the U.S. We didn’t have a ton of time to hang out, but when we did, we had a blast! We shared lots of laughs and learned a bunch from each other. A few students, like Martina, Giovanni, and Frederica, were really good at English, and they helped translate things for their friends so everyone could understand.
We all went on a trip to see a Shakespeare play, “Macbeth” with most of the students at our school. Going to a Shakespearean play, there’s always something new or surprising watching it. Shakespeare adds little-to-no directions for how the actors should move and wasn’t specific about props and designs. So, stage directors have the freedom to design, tell the actors how to move, and how the characters will be displayed. Macbeth, a famous tragedy written by Shakespeare, is a fascinating story to this day. There are many dramatic instances where no matter how many times you’ve seen the play, you’d always be at the edge of your seat. And according to the Italians, for most of them it was a first time experience watching a Broadway show and they were in awe.
The students were fascinated by New York City—it’s just so big and crazy! When we weren’t with them and they were on free time, they went to many cool places and landmarks. They went to Times Square and it amazed them, and they thought the view of the Brooklyn skyline from our school was incredible, especially compared to the mountains back home in Italy. They were pretty curious about their fellow Italians who contributed to NYC’s history, and we visited lots of cool places together. We checked out the Statue of Liberty, the Supreme Courthouse with an Italian judge, and famous museums like MoMA and the Met. They even saw the Dyker Heights Christmas lights and enjoyed some delicious Italian food. Overall, it was a fantastic experience that helped them learn more about both their culture and the diverse vibe of New York City!