Thanks to Ilaria Costa, Executive Director at Italian American Committee on Education, and Lisa Ackerman, Executive Director at the Columbus Citizens Foundation, for giving us this opportunity and for all of the help along the way. This summer WHSAD students had the opportunity to design and create centerpieces displayed at the Columbus Citizens Foundation’s 80th Annual Gala last weekend. The goal was to design the centerpieces based off of landmarks in New York City associated with Italian Americans. The pieces were then auctioned off at the gala, raising money for charity. As part of the project, the students had the chance to attend the event, and were interviewed by ABC News in a segment that aired last Monday in the Columbus Day … [Read more...]
Mrs. Toby Levy and Project Witness Inspire the WHSAD Community
Thursday, May 16th, WHSAD had the honor of hearing from Holocaust survivor, Mrs. Toby Levy. The talk has become an annual event thanks to Project Witness, an organization dedicated to educating the world on the stories of survivors and victims alike. Growing up Jewish in Nazi occupied Poland, Mrs. Levy's struggles were immense, and unfortunately not uncommon. She was one of millions who suffered the effects of the Holocaust, including 8 of her friends and family she went into hiding with. But despite all she’s been through, she still works to spread love. It is incredibly brave and inspiring how she looks back on her life with only gratitude to those who were there for her, instead of hate for those who were not. Mrs. Levy had been kind … [Read more...]
WHSAD Junior Overnight University and College Tours Trip
In early March, some WHSAD Juniors had the opportunity to further their knowledge of college environments and standards through an overnight trip into New England, starting in Boston, hitting Boston Architectural College and MIT, then heading down through Rhode Island for Roger Williams and Brown. All of these schools were uniquely different in the programs offered, campus, and student life. With such a diverse selection, students had the opportunity to learn more about the kind of school they hope to go to, small or big, urban or suburban, relaxed or intense. Additionally, it helped inspire students to work for the future they desire. After a lengthy bus ride and a pitstop for lunch, the group arrived at Boston Architectural College. … [Read more...]
WHSAD Students Attend Hamilton
Last Wednesday a group of 11th grade students went to see Hamilton live on Broadway! This was a rare and wonderful opportunity made possible by Gilder Lehrman and the Rockefeller Foundation. In addition to the show, students were able to participate in a Q&A with the cast and crew afterwards. It was truly a wonderful experience, from the performance to the knowledge that came with it. In order to participate in the event, students were required to create a short video based on the founding era. Attending student, Olivia Sokolowska, described the project as a learning experience: “Through the project I learned more than I previously knew about founding era history.” Students had to do their own research, and find their own primary … [Read more...]
WHSAD Students Participate in Polish Cultural Institute’s “Dare To be Copernicus” Venetian Plaster Workshop
Thank you to artist Mr. Milosz Koziej Ms. Maja Steczkowska, Deputy Director of the Polish Cultural Institute New York for providing WHSAD students with this opportunity. We would also like to thank Heather Butts and HEALTH for Youths for donating the supplies that were used during the workshops. The Polish Cultural Institute New York came to WHSAD for a workshop on Venetian Plaster, an ancient technique commonly used to mimic marble. This was part of a series titled “Dare to be Copernicus”, made to inspire students to go against the status quo and follow their passions. Nicolaus Copernicus was a man of many hats, being secretary, doctor, diplomat, law maker, economist and a translator; however, he is most famous for his hobby of … [Read more...]
WHSAD Students Craft Polish Castles Children’s Book
Throughout last school year a group of WHSAD students worked with the Pilsudski Institute of America, a non-profit Polish-American organization, to write and illustrate a children's book. The goal was to base it off their knowledge of Polish castles, so Laura Migas-Puch, representative from the institute and project facilitator, taught the students all about these historical castles, which they took notes on, read about, and eventually made into their book. The story follows these two children and a Polish hero, Tadeusz Kościuszko, who go on adventures to castles all over Poland learning about the historical and architectural importance of each one. They meet ghosts, run from attacks, and admire their surroundings. The illustrations are … [Read more...]
WHSAD’s 2023 Park Avenue Armory Residency
Located in Manhattan, Park Avenue Armory is a non-profit organization, dedicated to teaching students about performance art, and showing original and unique pieces you won't find anywhere else in the city. They aim to create opportunities and learning experiences for students and civilians alike. In March of 2023, 10th grade students attended Alexander Zeldin’s play, “Love,” at the Armory. Unlike a traditional performance, the actors occasionally interacted with the students sitting on the stage, creating a feeling of immersion, realism, and relatability to the show. This is exactly what the organization intends to do: redefine what a performance has to be and share art with as many people as possible. As a partner with Park Avenue Armory, … [Read more...]
Van Arsdale Cafeteria Redesign Project
Recently WHSAD students worked with Brooklyn Prep (BP), and Williamsburg Prep (WP) in remodeling the Harry Van Arsdale cafeteria. The 40 minutes a day the students at these schools spend in this space is vitally important to their productivity the rest of the day. Creating a space where kids feel comfortable to socialize and relax can help them focus more in afternoon classes, meaning if the environment feels stressful, or uncomfortable, the students will probably feel the same. This was exactly the problem the old cafeteria had: it didn’t feel friendly or inviting. But that's all changed now. What were once white walls and rectangular folding tables, now are booths, posters, and a much more diverse collection of tables. This lunch room has … [Read more...]
Sophomore Trip to The Museum of Jewish Heritage
On February 2nd, 2023 some 10th grade students visited the Museum of Jewish Heritage-A Living Memorial to the Holocaust in lower Manhattan. They were split up into different groups of about 15 and led around the museum by a tour guide, who talked them through stories from various Holocaust witnesses, teaching them the importance of remembering such events. They looked at propaganda posters, religious artifacts, items owned by Holocaust victims, and more. The tour guides were very knowledgeable on the artifacts on display in the museum and answered any questions the students had to ask. Here’s what a few of the students had to say about the trip: Cynthia Luna-Marcelino Last Thursday we attended The Museum of Jewish Heritage, where we … [Read more...]
WHSAD 2021 Alum, Ryan Singh, Shares His Experience in the Bernard and Anne Spitzer School of Architecture at CCNY
My first semester in the Bernard and Anne Spitzer school of architecture program was challenging because it was in the midst of Covid. Due to the transition from virtual learning to in-person learning, I felt as though I had missed out on the typical college experiences and the hands-on learning that came with the architecture program. However, since the transition to fully in person, I have deeply enjoyed these last two semesters. I have had the opportunity to work on new projects as well as explore and learn about different aspects of the city. Through this process I was able to learn new programs such as Adobe (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) and additional mapping programs such as NYC Open Data and ArcGIS Pro. What I enjoy most about … [Read more...]