Meet WHSAD's Students

In this video, Matthew Zaczeniuk walks us through the build on which he and Brianny Estevez collaborated during their remote experience in their freshmen architecture class. Thanks to the flexibility and creativity of their teachers, Mr. Ira Geringer and Mr. Abraham Rodriguez, students stayed engaged and learning during the tumultuous spring months of the pandemic. The project illustrates the potential for platforms, such as Minecraft, to heighten the design and creation process, develop partnerships in order to achieve exemplary results, and display final products through deliberate planning of presentations. Below is both their artist statement, written by Brianny, and the video. Our entire thought process surrounded current … [Read more...]

The following is an interview with the new transfer student of WHSAD, Raiven Rowl. Learn more about the junior below. Why did you choose WHSAD? "I chose WHSAD because this school had everything I wanted in one. I saw pictures of you going on trips and not just being closed in a classroom. I saw the all the opportunities I could take to give myself an even brighter future."  How do you feel about transferring during the pandemic? "How I feel about transferring during the pandemic is making me feel nervous because it’s a whole new city and I know it’s going to be different from Philly, especially with how my city is handling it differently than NY. I also don’t know too many people so that makes it a little more … [Read more...]

In the following post, Quiller Augustin shares his experience in the College Now program at The City College of New York. If interested in pursuing such an endeavor, students should speak with their guidance counselor. During the summer I took a College Now class at City College.The class was Architectural Expressions. In that one month period, we did three separate projects. We also studied and learned about drawing objects in different methods and practiced drawing objects in said methods. Our first project was making a model that would protect an egg if we dropped it at a certain height. Our second project was to draft the shape of a vegetable that we brought in. Our third project was to take a window space and construct an object … [Read more...]

Before the end of the school year, I had the opportunity to sit down with the class of 2019 valedictorian, Tyler Ng. Tyler is a bright young student who says his commitment, perseverance and sense of responsibility helped him achieve the honor. From the beginning of the school year he said, "My main goal at WHSAD is to graduate and eventually achieve the role of senior Valedictorian." As ambitious as it seemed, with hard work Tyler made it possible. However there's a lot more to the Senior than meets the eye. One thing not many know about him is that Tyler doesn't live in the New York. He lives in New Jersey with his parents. He stays with his Grandmother in Brooklyn during school nights and then spends most weekends at his parents' … [Read more...]

WHSAD Senior, Oscar Bejarano, was recently accepted into the Solar One Green Construction training program. With his acceptance, Oscar will receive four days of hands-on training at the Solar One facility, an automatic paid internship in the green construction trades at the completion of training, free industry recognized training and OSHA certification, and job placement through March 2020. The following are some thoughts from Oscar about the opportunity. The Solar One Green Construction program is both a training program and an internship opportunity. The point of the four days of training is to teach the students about safety and the many possible dangers on a construction site in varying fields (electrical, carpentry, plumbing … [Read more...]

My main goal in WHSAD is to stay focused and be successful by the time I graduate. This is important  because it’s an independent goal I want to follow. By staying focused and saying to myself every day, "I can do this," I will achieve, and I find encouragement by reminding myself that I need to achieve this goal. I believe what makes WHSAD special is that it’s an architecture school, but it accommodates everyone and their specific goals. For example, the jobs we can get are not only architecture and design specific, but also SYEP and  the community service opportunities. Also, I make the announcements for the school every morning. The school has a lot of connections that are unique and cool when it’s time for us to network. WHSAD has … [Read more...]

WHSAD Sophomore Emely Patino this past Spring Break was offered an extremely amazing opportunity to participate in a Service in Schools Leaders program in collaboration with the DOE. The program is essentially about taking students from various different backgrounds and helping them overcome many of their problems regarding public speaking in a direct way. The students in the program got to collaborate with one another and learn about how to use their voice to help in the community. Below, Emely gives insight into her experience with the program. Q: How did you get to become a Service in Schools Leader? A: So, Ms. Spaziani one day spoke to me and other groups of students during third period. She [Ms. Spaziani] wanted to tell us about … [Read more...]

Mr. Rodriguez, Justin's English teacher, says, "[Justin] blends into any task given to him in ELA and surfaces with an insight that is not common for someone his age.  In short, Justin's adaptability is unique." Student correspondent, Mayra Gomez, interviewed Justin on his thoughts regarding his nomination, his years at WHSAD, and advice to those seeking to have successful high school experiences. Justin Lopez, currently a junior at WHSAD, was extremely shocked to be told he was student of the month for February. However, he thinks he has received this recognition due to his growth throughout high school.  Justin says he’s great when it comes to completing work last minute, but it is also one of his biggest flaws in school and in … [Read more...]

Mr. Powers, Antonio's English teacher, says, "Antonio is an academic chameleon. He can adapt to most any situation. From group work, to essays, to artistry. He can do it all and he can do it all exceptionally." Student correspondent, Maya Ortiz, interviewed Antonio on his thoughts regarding his nomination, his years at WHSAD, and advice to those seeking to have successful high school experiences. Senior, Antonio Rojos, decribes his four years here at WHSAD as a very enlightening experience. He finds our school very flexible, with many opportunities for all kind of interests students have. He advises to take advantage of the internships the school provides and also to use office hours wisely because they will help you in the long … [Read more...]