Students from Eagle Academy, Central and American History High Schools to Travel to Belfast, Ireland

[Newark, New Jersey, November 21, 2019] Students from three Newark high schools will travel to Belfast, Ireland to participate in the Global Peace Ambassador Program next month. Twelve students from Eagle Academy, in addition to a student from Central High School and American History High School (AHHS) will leave Newark for Belfast on December 8 and return on December 16. The two students from Central and AHHS are youth representatives for the City of Newark Youth & College Affairs Program.

“This is an extraordinary learning opportunity for Newark students,” said Superintendent of Newark Schools Roger León, “Our students must be exposed to global experiences – the mission to Belfast will give them a great life experience and a strong global foundation for the future.”

Students from Eagle Academy qualified for the program through a methodology that required students to read the article, “Foreign Yet Familiar: Program Brings Irish, African American Teens Together,” by Peter Smith, write an essay and participate in a personal interview.  In addition, all Newark scholars had to complete a required course that covers, “The Newark Rebellion,” “The Belfast Rebellion,” “The History of Newark and the History of Belfast,” four collaborative online classes with contemporaries from Belfast and a class on photography and vlogging. All participating scholars are required to create and manage a video blog of this experience.  The mission includes trips, tours, discussions and other activities.

“We are very excited that our students have this amazing opportunity to travel abroad to Ireland where they will gain invaluable knowledge while experiencing a new culture,” said Newark Board of Education Chairwoman Josephine C. Garcia. “We are proud of them, we congratulate them, we wish them continued success and encourage them to enjoy the experience. As a mother, whose children traveled outside the country, I know that it will be an experience that they will always remember.”

The theme of the project “Same Melody, Different Key,” was taken from Black playwright Loraine Hansberry.  This project is a unique opportunity for scholars from Eagle Academy and Central and American History High Schools and youth in Belfast to explore the similarities and differences in their cities and their cultures.

“In order for our students to lead this world, they must travel around the world,” added Superintendent of Newark Schools Roger León.

The students serving as Global Ambassadors are:

Mayor’s Youth Council/American History and Central High School Scholars

  • Isa Perkins
  • Jhaques Jones

Eagle Academy Scholars

  • Tylin Battles
  • Ajani Carter
  • Samuel Colon
  • Christopher Cuyun
  • Zachary Halley
  • Kenneth Haynes
  • Jusanic Henry
  • Peter Iyayi
  • Munir Mohammed
  • Sjade Nedd
  • Quadir Sauls
  • Jamar Williams
  • Amani Wilson

The Newark Board of Education will host a special dinner to inform people throughout the city about this unique opportunity for school scholars.