Press Releases

Newark Public Schools Senior Wins Top National Honor Society Award

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[Newark, NJ]  The National Honor Society (NHS) and Newark Public Schools are excited to announce that Jeremias Castillo, a senior at Technology High School is the $25,000 National Honor Society Scholarship winner. NHS is supported by its parent organization, the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), which also administers the National Student Council.

"This moment was huge," said Jeremias Castillo, winner of the NHS Scholarship. "A lot of times it feels like the little things you’re putting together aren’t significant, but here everything came together to affirm that what I have been doing has made an impact. I’ve been able to use the platforms I have available to speak about leveling out health disparities, which is my passion. It felt like everything up to this moment has been worth it, and everything is working toward bettering my community.”

Superintendent of Schools Roger Leὀn said, “We are extremely proud of Jeremias’ accomplishments as he is an embodiment of the greatness of the students in our high schools in Newark. His family, Technology High School, and the entire city of Newark are proud of him too.”

From a pool of 13,000 applicants, Jeremias Castillo distinguished himself with his unwavering commitment to enacting positive change in the American healthcare system. Jeremias’ motivation stems from the recent passing of his father, which painfully personalized the health disparities affecting underrepresented groups. Since then, he has been fighting to ensure everyone has access to the compassionate healthcare they deserve. As the vice president of his NHS chapter, he volunteers weekly at Clara Maass Medical Center and has collected over 2,000 toiletry bags for the Newark Department of Health and Welfare. Jeremias has inspired others to act by sharing their story and passion for service across many platforms, from speaking at a food-insecurity symposium to appearing on Steve Adubato’s Lessons in Leadership, reaching over 3.6 million households. He will continue his studies in neuroscience and political science at Harvard as a proud member of the Class of 2027, pursuing his goal of creating a more equitable healthcare system for all.

NHS awarded more than $2 million in scholarships to 600 high school seniors this year. Four of the top finalists were awarded a $10,625 scholarship for embodying the pillars of NHS membership: scholarship, service, leadership, and character. Twenty finalists received $5,625, and Jeremias, the national winner, received $25,000.

"These phenomenal NHS students are on the cusp of graduating with the highest honors and will leave behind a legacy of servant leadership that has transformed their schools and communities," said NASSP President Aaron Huff. "During their time in NHS, they have sought to address important issues such as poverty, environmental sustainability, healthcare access, and social justice—and they've done so with enthusiasm and determination."

Newark Public Schools Among Top 10 in the Nation for Speech Following Students’ Success at Prestigious Tournament of Champions

NEWARK, NJ - Newark Public Schools proudly announces the achievement of Samuel Thomas, a Central High School senior who has advanced to the semi-finals in the Dramatic Interpretation of Speech at the prestigious Tournament of Champions (TOC) in Kentucky. This success places Newark Public Schools among the top 10 in the nation for speech. This year's event is particularly significant as it marks the first in-person TOC since the pandemic.

The Tournament of Champions, held annually at the University of Kentucky, is the country's most competitive and prestigious high school speech and debate tournament of the year. It brings together the nation's greatest high school competitors, who have earned a "bid" by achieving top-tier success at designated national circuit tournaments throughout the academic year. The TOC is organized and run by former Newark Public Schools alumnus and current Associate Director of Debate at the University of Kentucky, Devane Murphy, highlighting the strong connection between the city and this esteemed event.

Central High School is also proud to announce that a sophomore, Ayomide Adekoya, qualified for the TOC. Both Samuel Thomas and Ayomide Adekoya have been expertly coached by Mr. Dennis Philbert, who has nurtured their talents and dedication to the art of speech. The New Jersey Speech and Debate League awarded Mr. Philbert the 2023 New Jersey District Coach of the Year to honor his success as a speech coach.

In addition, Barringer High School is celebrating the success of senior Mitchel Elusanmi, who qualified for the TOC under the guidance of coach Mr. Michael Sowell. All these exceptional students from Newark were competing in the speech category, showcasing their skills and earning a place among the best in the nation.

These students and their dedicated coaches have not only succeeded at the Tournament of Champions but have also qualified to compete in the National Catholic Forensic League (NCFL) Grand National Tournament in May and the National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA) National Championship Tournament in June, alongside other Newark Public School Speech and Debate students.

Newark Public Schools Superintendent Roger Leὀn shared his thoughts on the student’s accomplishments, saying, "The hard work, determination, and passion our students have displayed in their pursuit of excellence in speech is truly inspiring. We are immensely proud of Samuel, Ayomide, and Mitchel, and their coaches, Mr. Philbert and Mr. Sowell, for representing Newark Public Schools with distinction. Their achievements are a testament to our students’ and educators' incredible talent and dedication."

Newark Public Schools, in partnership with the Newark Debate Academy, remains committed to promoting the growth of speech programs. This collaboration ensures that every student has the opportunity to develop essential skills such as critical thinking, communication, and engaged citizenship. Participation in speech events fosters empathy, cultural awareness, research skills, and self-confidence, preparing students to become effective leaders in their future academic and professional pursuits.

Stay tuned for updates on our students' progress in their upcoming tournaments, and join us in wishing them the best of luck in their continued success.

For more information about Newark Public Schools, please visit newark.apppresser.com.

MJ The Musical Brings Broadway to Newark’s Michelle Obama Elementary School

[Newark, NJ] Michelle Obama Elementary School was filled with energy, excitement, and the magic of Broadway when the cast of MJ the Musical visited the school to put on an engaging, educational, and spectacular performance for the students and staff. An email from Michelle Obama Elementary School Principal LaShanda Gilliam to Ms. Lia Vollack, Producer of MJ the Musical, was all it took to make this dream come true for students.

The Michelle Obama auditorium was perfectly staged for the occasion, adorned with Pre-k to third grade student produced Michael Jackson artifacts. Each class was tasked with designing artwork based on their interpretation of one of Michael Jackson’s songs. The event was a visual delight and a testament to the school's commitment to providing intentional engagement.

The Grammy nominated cast engaged some of our youngest learners in a question and answer session, taught them some of MJ’s famous dances, including the moonwalk and his famous kick. They also depicted him throughout various stages of his career along with his brothers, the Jackson 5 and performed inspiring hits such as Keep the Faith, ABC, Billie Jean, and Man in the Mirror.

Principal LaShanda Gilliam said, "We are thrilled to have had the cast of MJ the Musical visit our school and bring Broadway to our students. It was an amazing experience, and we appreciate the opportunity to expose our students to limitless possibilities through musical theater."

Superintendent Roger León added, "The performance by the cast of MJ the Musical was a unique experience that showcased the limitless possibilities of what our students can achieve. It was a memorable and impactful event for everyone involved."

The partnership with MJ the Musical represented an opportunity to bring Broadway to the Michelle Obama Elementary School. "The look in the eyes of children watching other people show their talent and living their dreams teaches children they can do that too," says Principal Gilliam.

"We were so excited to see this effort between Michelle Obama Elementary School and MJ the Musical come to fruition. Our scholars need access to the highest engagement quality and cultural experience." Said Board President Dawn Haynes.

The visit from the cast of MJ the Musical was a huge success, leaving the students and staff of Michelle Obama Elementary School with an unforgettable experience that will inspire them to dream big and achieve their goals.

Student at Newark School of Data Science & Information Technology Honored by National Nonprofit for Top Performance in College Courses

National Education Equity Lab Honor Society recognizes students from Title I high schools who have excelled in professor-led college courses from the nation’s top colleges

NEWARK, NJ (JANUARY 31, 2023) – The Newark Board of Education today announced that a student at the Newark School of Data Science & Information Technology has been named to the Honor Society of the National Educational Equity Lab (Ed Equity Lab), an education justice nonprofit that works to bridge the gap between high school and college for students from low-income communities. Honorees are scholars whose academic performance was in the top 20 percent of all scholars nationwide taking dual credit Ed Equity Lab courses, from schools including: Howard University, Stanford University, Princeton University, Wesleyan University, Wharton School at University of Pennsylvania, Georgetown University, Cornell University, Brown University, Spelman College, Barnard/Columbia University and Arizona State University.

“These scholars’ success in rigorous college courses reinforces the fact that talent is evenly distributed, opportunity is not. We aim to change that. Talented students from under-resourced high schools belong in the best matched schools for them, including our nation’s top universities,” said Leslie Cornfeld, Founder and CEO of the National Education Equity Lab. “Together with our high school and university partners, we’re empowering thousands of talented students around the country to show what they’re capable of, and to build the skills, credentials and the confidence to succeed in higher education and beyond.”

The Newark School of Data Science & Information Technology partnered with the National Education Equity Lab to offer a college-level dual enrollment Intro to Computer Science course through Stanford University. The scholar, tenth grader David Sawacha, will be honored at a virtual ceremony today featuring university professors, high school teachers, district leaders, National Ed Equity Lab board and CEO Leslie Cornfeld.

“We are extremely proud of David whose dedication and commitment exude excellence and demonstrates a model of focused determination of the students in Newark Public Schools,” stated Superintendent Roger Leόn. “Now everyone knows what we have known all along – our students can and do excel at the very highest levels.”

Former US Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, an Ed Equity Lab board member, called this effort “game changing” for students. “Democratizing access to higher education in our nation has never been more critical. Efforts like this help us do just that.”

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The Newark Public Schools is the largest school district in New Jersey and dates back to 1676.  The district currently enrolls over 38,000 students in 62 schools.  After more than two decades of state operation and upon return to local control in 2018, the district has opened 8 new schools under Superintendent León’s leadership with an additional portfolio of new options to be announced in the coming years.

The National Education Equity Lab is an education justice nonprofit that aims to democratize access to college by partnering with top colleges and universities to offer actual college credit-bearing courses in teacher-led Title 1 high school classrooms across the country. Participating students gain the opportunity to take actual college courses from top professors, with weekly live discussions led by university teaching fellows, co-taught by teachers at their high schools. Scholars earn widely transferable college credits and a transcript from the offering institution upon successful completion. Starting in 2019 with a single Harvard humanities course in 25 high schools, the Lab has now served more than 11,000 students in 90 cities across 32 states.

Alpha Alpha Lambda Scholarship and Educational Foundation Celebrate the 25TH Anniversary of the Belford V. Lawson Oratorical Competition Honoring the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Talents of New Jersey Youth

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[ESSEX COUNTY, NJ] - On Saturday, January 14, 2023, the Alpha Alpha Lambda Scholarship and Educational Foundation of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. commemorated the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with the 25th Anniversary of the Belford V. Lawson Oratorical Competition at Seton Hall University. Six young men, 7th & 8th grade students in Essex County, took to the stage as finalists delivering exceptional speeches on “Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Perspectives on the World Today". For the past 25 years, this program has lifted the confidence, oratory skills, and passion of Essex County young men while ensuring the next generation never forgets the sacrifice and impact of civil rights icon and man of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Representing the best and brightest of Essex County, this year’s finalists were:

  • Kevin Flores - Louise A. Spencer School (8th Grade) | Newark, NJ
  • Dante Folson - Cicely L. Tyson Community School of Performing and Fine Arts (8th Grade) | East Orange, NJ
  • Luis Franco - Louise A. Spencer School (8th Grade) | Newark, NJ
  • Amadu Musa – Louise A. Spencer School (8th Grade) | Newark, NJ
  • Zachary Richardson- Far Brook School (8th Grade) | South Orange, NJ
  • Mickerson Volcy - Cicely L. Tyson Community School of Performing and Fine Arts (8th Grade) | East Orange, NJ

This year’s 1st place winner is Amadu Musa of Newark. Amadu is a member of the National Honor Society at Louise A. Spencer School in Newark and a participant in Project Alpha, a national program of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. that provides ongoing mentorship for young men.

“My experience participating in this competition was amazing! The new opportunities that the Alphas have opened up for me will really benefit me along the way,” said Amadu Musa. “Like always, it feels amazing to win. I can’t thank the Alphas more for this opportunity.”

The remaining phenomenal awardees this year are as follows: 2nd place Zachary Richardson (South Orange) and 3rd Place Dante Folson (East Orange). Honorable Mentions went to Kevin Flores (Newark), Mickerson Volcy (East Orange), and Luis Franco (Newark).

“We are extremely proud of the hard work and dedication of these six exceptional young men. From the inception, our goal has been ensuring the next generation understands the sacrifices made by Dr. King and igniting the spark that empowers our youth to maintain the legacy of civil rights activism for generations to come.” said Mark Hassell, Alpha Alpha Lambda Scholarship and Educational Foundation Chairman.

With ABC News Anchor and National Correspondent, Derricke Dennis serving as Master of Ceremony, participants were given an allotted amount of time to present their speech at a luncheon during MLK weekend before an audience and judges. The participants were judged on 10 criteria, including oratorical skills, content, time management, presentation, along with other criteria. Through community contributions, ticket sales, and sponsorships, the Foundation provides monetary awards to the winners in addition to coaching, new suits, and continued mentoring to help further fuel their academic endeavors.

“For 25 years, this event has highlighted the best our young men have to offer in Essex County, New Jersey”, said Dr. Brian Agnew, Chairman of the 25th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Oratorical Competition. “Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. prepares future leaders, like these young men, through programs that empower confidence, encourage academic excellence, and provide service and advocacy to our communities.”

Through the generosity of sponsors like LAZ Parking, Mitchell Titus, QPWB Attorneys, Gene's Driving School, and Sphinx Minerva Group, over $5,000 in cash and prizes were awarded to participants with each finalist receiving an Acer Chromebook, a medal, and cash award with the encouragement of opening a savings account at a local bank.

“This competition provides an opportunity for our community to come together to celebrate the bravery of exceptional young men. We applaud each of them for having the courage to take control of their destiny, ultimately changing the course of their lives through hard work, stretching boundaries, and stepping up,” said Dele Oladapo, President of the Alpha Alpha Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

About Alpha Alpha Lambda Scholarship and Educational Fund, Inc.
The foundation was founded in 1986 by members of the Alpha Alpha Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., who recognized the need to support African-American youth across the Greater Essex County community. The Mission of the Alpha Alpha Lambda Scholarship and Educational Foundation is to encourage, enlighten and advance the educational opportunities for minority males in Essex County, NJ. Additional information can be found by visiting www.theaalfoundation.org.

About Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
​The Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., headquartered in Baltimore, MD, was founded on December 4, 1906, at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY. The Fraternity has long stood at the forefront of the African-American community’s fight for civil rights through Alpha men such as Martin Luther King, Jr., Adam Clayton Powell, Thurgood Marshall, Paul Robeson, Andrew Young, Edward Brooke, and Cornel West. The fraternity, through its more than 720 college and alumni chapters and general organization members, serves communities in the United States, Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Caribbean.

AeroFarms Launches 9 New Community Farms to Provide Additional 2 Tons of Fresh Food Access to 4,500+ Local Students

AeroFarms’ Award-Winning Community Farms Program Expands to Provide Over 50,000 Servings of Local, Fresh Food and Empower STEAM Career Education for local school communities

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January 11, 2023 07:30 ET | Source: AeroFarms

AeroFarms announced the expansion of its Community Farm program to bring year-round access to fresh and nutritious leafy greens to local settings like schools, corporate cafeterias, and community centers. This expansion of nine new farms addresses increased demand from customers for small indoor farming technology and marks the growth of AeroFarms’ equipment business.

The AeroFarms Community Farm uses patented and proprietary aeroponic technology to bring the benefits of vertical farming directly to the community. The custom-built system empowers children and adults to participate in the full growing process from seed to salad, while experiencing the advantages of hyperlocal, sustainable food production and learning through science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) education. Along with the farm system, AeroFarms also provides a robust service package to Community Farm customers, which includes growing inputs like seeds and nutrients and support hours from AeroFarms’ expert team of scientists and specialists.

“Following COP27 [the 27th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change] in November, the need for innovative solutions to address challenges to our climate and global food system is abundantly clear,” said David Rosenberg, Co-Founder and CEO of AeroFarms. “AeroFarms is committed to furthering its mission to grow the best plants possible for the betterment of humanity and empowering the next generation of scientists and innovators. Our Community Farm offering helps us achieve this mission, while also encouraging healthy eating habits and providing food access for underserved areas.”

From its large commercial farms in Newark, New Jersey, and Danville, Virginia, AeroFarms leads the way with smart, indoor vertical farming and services major retailers including Whole Foods Market, Walmart, The Fresh Market, and Ahold Delhaize, as well as food service partners like Baldor and Compass Group. AeroFarms leafy greens and microgreens are safe, nutritious, and flavorful and are grown using zero pesticides and up to 95% less water compared to a traditional field farm. As with its large commercial farms, AeroFarms’ Community Farm system uses less resources to grow a higher output of leafy greens in a faster time frame, elevating agriculture for people and planet.

Building on these benefits, this month AeroFarms expanded its Community Farm program to key strategic partners in the greater Newark / New York City area. This expands on AeroFarms’ early work with Philip’s Academy Charter School (PACS), located in downtown Newark. AeroFarms started a partnership with PACS in 2011, where it installed a farm in the cafeteria to be used for STEAM education and supplement the school’s food service offering. In 2016, Former First Lady Michelle Obama visited the PACS farm as part of a national tour to promote health and wellbeing.

This month, in partnership with the Newark Public Schools (NPS), AeroFarms completed installations throughout the Newark Public School district, including at Central High School, George Washington Carver Elementary School, Sir Isaac Newton Elementary School, Thirteenth Avenue School, and Michelle Obama Elementary School. This program is part of the district’s plans to advance science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) education for students in the District.

“The district continues to prioritize the health and wellness of our Newark Community through our continued partnership with AeroFarms,” said Newark Superintendent Roger León. “We are so grateful for the opportunity to provide fresh homegrown vegetables to our Newark Public School students, staff and families in our great city.”

Earlier this month, AeroFarms completed a training event for teachers at Michelle Obama Elementary School. As part of the school’s Giving Tuesday event, the Tuesday following Thanksgiving, the students at Michelle Obama distributed 75 containers of AeroFarms healthy greens to families in their community. The AeroFarms Community Farm at the school will help advance its mission to empower students through community, health, and wellness initiatives. London V., a second grader at Michelle Obama said, “I feel proud of myself because the plants grew that we planted and am excited to learn more about plants and eat the greens in our class.”

Growing also recently began at the Community Farm located at Thirteenth Avenue School, which is partnered with the I Have a Dream Foundation – New Jersey, the local affiliate of a national nonprofit that works to close the achievement gap by providing academic enrichment, mentorship, and other support services to under-served and under-resourced communities. The farm at Thirteenth Avenue School will be used to support STEAM education and a new culinary arts program for students. This farm was made possible through a gift from Deloitte. Deloitte, which provides audit, consulting, tax, and advisory services to many of the world’s most admired brands, is also dedicated to making an impact that matters by creating trust and confidence in a more equitable society. This farm is one of three AeroFarms Community Farms that Deloitte has supported to help advance themes of sustainability and equity at schools in the New York / New Jersey area. A second farm will be installed at P.S. 85 The Great Expectations School in the Bronx, in collaboration with Wellness in the Schools, a national non-profit that teaches students healthy habits to learn and live better.

“Deloitte is proud to support AeroFarms’ Community Farm program,” said Kwasi Mitchell, Chief Purpose Officer at Deloitte. “Our organization strives to advance sustainable and equitable solutions, and we are proud to support a program that is dedicated to advancing health equity by offering hands-on learning and healthy food-access for students in need.”

Outside of the Newark Public School system, AeroFarms is also partnered with Riverdale Country School in the Bronx. Founded in 1907, Riverdale is a pre-K through grade 12 independent school committed to “creating community in order to change our world for the good.” Riverdale and AeroFarms are also collaborating to develop educational resources and tools that teachers can use to integrate AeroFarms technology into the classroom.

“We are so excited about this collaboration that will allow both students and teachers to not only understand the science of growing plants, but to experience it every day at the school,” said Head of Riverdale Country School Dominic Randolph. “This is what true learning is, connecting theory to practice in order to solve real-life problems. We are hopeful that we can help schools broadly to understand how AeroFarms is revolutionizing food production.”

The expansion of AeroFarms’ Community Farm business builds on the company’s project with Jersey City and the World Economic Forum’s Healthy Cities and Communities 2030 Initiative. AeroFarms is working with Jersey City to deploy vertical farms throughout the City to increase individual and community health by providing access to healthy foods.

“We are excited to bring new partners into the AeroFarms network as we expand our efforts to bring healthy food and STEAM education to communities where this can best make a positive impact,” said Jason Ginsberg, AeroFarms Chief of Staff and Director of Community Farms. “This is just the beginning and we’re eager to work with prospective sponsors and organizations as we further scale our Community Farm program in the United States and abroad.”