The Column

Right from the beginning, WHSAD students have countless opportunities to involve themselves in fascinating extracurriculars that come from attending a Career and Technical High School. One of these programs is the ACE Mentorship, which has students working alongside professionals from the architectural field. By visiting environments such as the Gensler architectural firm, students engage in activities that advance student understanding regarding the design process, the need to carry themselves professionally, and the importance of networking. Every Wednesday WHSAD students, accompanied by freshman architecture teacher, Mr. Abraham Rodriguez, visit the Gensler firm in midtown Manhattan. During this time, students worked collaboratively to … [Read more...]

WHSAD students are a creative bunch, and their teachers provide plenty of opportunities for students to explore and expand upon their imaginative repertoire. One such experience came about due to the efforts of freshmen architecture teachers Mr. Ira Geringer and Mr. Abraham Rodriguez when they brought a group of students to the Whitney Museum. During this visit, students were able to gain new insights into what modern American artists are creating and how such manifestations of the mind reflect some of the concepts students learn in the classroom. Understanding the link between what is done in school and what professionals do is a cornerstone of a WHSAD student’s education; therefore, this trip exemplified how we are continuously teaching … [Read more...]

Oftentimes WHSAD students leave the Van Arsdale campus to meet professionals who inspire and provide glimpses into potential futures. However, this past Tuesday, the inspirational person came to WHSAD. Artist Ruth Sergel spoke to students about her work, which brings light to social concerns and offers hope through action. One such project is Chalk, in which volunteers annually visit the former homes of the young workers who perished in the 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Fire and inscribe these workers' names in chalk outside of these homes. Ms. Sergel provided students with how the nature of artwork can provide a mobilizing force in improving societal ills and remembering the faults of the past. Ms. Sergel also shared her first book, See You in … [Read more...]

Field trips should be normal experiences in the lives of students. Such occasions permit for off-site learning which often immerses students in settings that embody the work those students could potentially be taking on during their careers. WHSAD offers students opportunities to often take trips to view the architectural vestiges of New York City, and last Thursday offered one of those chances. Students in the architecture club are currently taking on the ambitious project of redesigning the floor-plan of the defunct and decaying Smallpox Hospital on Roosevelt Island. Students are working in cooperation with major firms on a vision to achieve a functioning purpose for this once so important New York City landmark. Below, Junior Reggie … [Read more...]

Working in collaboration with the NYPD, NYC Together fosters meaningful relationships between officers and youth, spurring each to become change agents--altering the traditional narrative that is often attributed to the two groups. Last week, WHSAD Junior Brianna Barea and Officer Paual Polanco illustrated such a vision when they worked to compose Brianna’s college application essay. The partnership is integral in fostering a stronger bond between young people and community leaders, and students such as Brianna benefit from the one-on-one interactions in various ways: from receiving feedback on how to compose powerful written pieces to forming bonds with positive role models and mentors. WHSAD is excited to have the opportunity to … [Read more...]

Last evening at the Williamsburg Hotel in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, select WHSAD students enjoyed the fruits of their labors. The event showcased student designs for the lobby of the Bushwick Hotel. Gathering to celebrate the achievements of these burgeoning architects, family members, WHSAD staff, political representatives, and members of the architectural firm, Gensler, viewed each group’s design concepts, chatted with students about the process involved in developing such concepts, and, frankly, just enjoyed the atmosphere of the Williamsburg Hotel. Additionally, the top three groups received their awards for the competition held this past June. Assemblyman Joseph Lentol awarded the winner, Kaniyah Parris, a plaque and had some very … [Read more...]

According to its website, New Lab "serve[s] entrepreneurs who are defining the future of technology and human experience." It could be said that many WHSAD students, because of the innovative nature of their studies and the unique path on which many find themselves, could become those entrepreneurs. Therefore, the trip to New Lab this past week illustrated what the future may entail. A creative think space at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, New Lab provides an environment for the flow of creative ideas. WHSAD students reveled in the diversity of the spaces at the location and the capacity of these spaces to cultivate the dreams of dreamers. Below, Antonio Perez shares what he and some of his peers thought of New Lab. Going to the Brooklyn … [Read more...]

This 2017-2018 school year WHSAD has taken on the responsibility of being a New York City Community School. Such a title brings its share of responsibilities and opportunities. For instance, students must now complete between 60-90 hours of community service in order to graduate. These hours enhance the high school experience in a number of ways: from students getting first-hand experiences in assisting their communities become more vigorous to students meeting people outside the realm of the microcosm of WHSAD. A number of students experienced the latter this week as WHSAD launched its partnership with Curtis High School on Staten Island to bring Little Free Library boxes to various areas in the two boroughs. Special thanks to Health for … [Read more...]