Running from October 17th, 2022 to December 22nd, 2022, Park Avenue Armory’s Youth Corps fall semester was a way for high school students such as myself to further connect to and explore jobs in the arts. Those who participated had the opportunity to view and discuss the featured installation at Park Armory at the time, Julian Roosevelt’s “Euphoria”. Our discussions primarily revolved around the work’s themes, setup, and how we may want to let factors from this installation influence our final capstone project. But outside of the installation viewing and our capstone project which occurred in late November through December, our experience consisted of the following things, all of which occurred on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays following … [Read more...]
About Sheena Luke
Interview with Diana Reyna
On November 14th, former Deputy Borough President and long-time WHSAD supporter, Diana Reyna, visited WHSAD. I, along with George Pinto, had the opportunity of interviewing Diana and getting some insight towards her values and goals for the future. The beginning of the discussion started with recollecting Diana's support of WHSAD'S Architectural Preservation Program all the way back in 2009. Diana Reyna: "I saw the potential of career readiness and truly embracing all the components that a student at a young age can be excited about learning… And have what is a school that can model an education that invigorates a classroom, that has the potential to make learning fun and be able to change the course of that young person. The … [Read more...]
MSK’s Breast Cancer Walk
Through October 10th to October 14th, WHSAD's MSK raised money towards the American Breast Cancer Society in support of spreading awareness for breast cancer throughout the community. Throughout the week baked goods along with other snacks were sold with the funds then being donated to the American Breast Cancer Society. On the Sunday following this week, October 16th, some of WHSAD'S staff and students attended Making Strides of Central Park, to spread awareness and show support for both survivors and those lost to cancer. Sweatshirts were designed by K-Shima Noble and Regina Reneus, two WHSAD seniors, for MSK members to wear while walking, as a display of their support. Below are statements from some of those who attended the walk: … [Read more...]
WHSAD Staten Island Site Visits
Students from WHSAD took part in a trip to Staten Island on Saturday, March 26th, to see the sites of different projects they have been working on since last school year. The sites students visited during the tour included the Tompkinsville Esplanade, Downtown Staten Island, Richmond Terrace Esplanade, and H.E.A.L.T.H. for Youths Skyline Community Garden. Many of the students had the opportunity to view their project locations for the first time in person and gained a better understanding of the respective site on which they’re designing a proposal. In addition to touring their sites, students heard from H.E.A.L.T.H. for Youths co-founder and long-time WHSAD partner, Heather Butts, about the sites. In this comment from Heather Butts, she … [Read more...]
WHSAD Students Return to The Park Avenue Armory for Rashaad Newsome’s “Assembly” Exhibition
WHSAD Sophomore, Jared Birks, took all photos in this story. On Thursday March 3rd, 10th Grade WHSAD Students attended Park Avenue Armory to experience Rashaad Newsome's exhibit, Assembly. This exhibition featured a large room with projected imagery on the walls, a walk through of art media showcasing both Black Queer and West African culture, and the exhibit's focal point, an A.I. named Being. This part of the exhibit consisted of an interactive workshop on decolonization that students and staff were able to engage in through dances, meditations, conversation, and questions led by Being. Those attending the workshop were asked to think about their own relationship to the capitalist, white supremacist patriarchy and how they can free … [Read more...]
Derek Ramos Matos’ Residential Home Design Project
In this series, students from Mr. Rodriguez' Grade 10 Architectural Computer Aided Drafting and Design (CADD) class share their insights regarding their past, present, and future work. In the interest of context, Mr. Rodriguez first provides some thoughts about purpose and process. Then, Derek offers his thoughts about his work. Throughout the story are examples of Derek's work. Mr. Abraham Rodriguez What went into coming up with this project idea and execution? This year, the 10th Grade class is focusing on developing basic research, design, and technical skills by working on a year-long design project of a residential home. The main objective of the class is to introduce students to computer-aided design software such as … [Read more...]
Student Profile, Elyas Sherzai
How has it been adapting to WHSAD? How different was it from last year? It hasn't been so hard and I adapted fairly quickly. But some things I had to adapt to were the semesters and marking periods since it was a little confusing at first. How do you feel about this environment? How has the experience with students and teachers been? My experience so far has been amazing. An example is, my first period class which was with Mr. O. You would think it would be awkward being with people you have never met. But after 5 or 10 minutes almost everyone was becoming comfortable on the first day. Why did you choose WHSAD? I picked WHSAD because I want learn more about Architecture and my brother is a WHSAD graduate. Do you have … [Read more...]
Student Profile, Zaniya Pacius
How has it been adapting to high-school so far? How is it different from middle school? Adapting to high-school is a challenge for me personally because I am not used to the conditions and habits of in-person school. On the bright side, I enjoy myself because I began socializing more and making new friends. high-school is definitely not what I imagined or expected. High-school is different from middle school because I was homeschooled for all of middle school and it is significantly different from in person school. Also the assignments I get overall are more complex and challenging, but I've gotten used to it so far. How do you feel about this environment? How has the experience with students and teachers been? The environment is … [Read more...]
Student Profile, Felisha Solis
How has it been adapting to high-school so far? How is it different from middle school? "I think I've been good so far. I've already gotten adjusted to all of the classes I have, and I’ve created some goals for me to complete this year such as, how I want to get started on working or even get some experience with the projects that we do in Makerspace. Overall, I think everything I’ve had so far has been a smooth transition." How do you feel about this environment? How has the experience with students and teachers been? "Everybody's nice, the teachers and students are nice. And, if you need to ask for help, they'll help you. I think that if you treat people nice, you get the same treatment back." What are some projects … [Read more...]
Student Profile, George Pinto
How has it been adapting to WHSAD? How different was it from last year? Adapting to WHSAD was a little tricky at first because it's been so long since I've been in an environment with so many people I didn't know, but now I feel a lot more comfortable here. This year has been different from last year because we are in person full time, obviously, but also because I have to completely readapt to new people, rather than just the same people I had known for the past two years. How do you feel about this environment? How has the experience with students and teachers been? I really like the environment here because there are so many people interested in different things, and the teachers here are always trying … [Read more...]