Some of the most rewarding moments in high school come during after hours. Students who seek opportunities will be taxed at times, but the payoff in terms of learning experiences cannot be denied. One of WHSAD's most notable extracurricular activities is its partnership programs with some of the most respected architecture firm in New York City. This year committed students attended weekly sessions with architects from CTA, a firm that, according to their mission statement, "strives to conserve our world’s natural resources and implement innovative and environmentally-friendly design strategies." Students gained first-hand knowledge regarding the sustainability movement in architecture, and how firms such as CTA are not only designing … [Read more...]
The Column
Archived here is every article written for WHSAD's student run newspaper, The Column.
WHSAD Sophomore Cynthia Luna-Marcelino Reflects on Her ACE Experience
Hello, I'm Cynthia, a 10th grade student at WHSAD. I am currently in my second year in the ACE mentorship program. Thanks to this program I was able to learn and experience new experiences, from rendering software to improving and developing skills I currently have. Mr. Codio introduced me when he came into my 9th grade architecture class and started explaining ACE as a program with great benefits, a program that isn’t limited to people who want to pursue architecture or design. He explained how ACE is made up of many teams, which focus on sharing knowledge and experiences of their careers that don't necessarily involve architecture or design. Personally, I picked team 6 because it was the team that WHSAD is working hand in hand with and it … [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...]
WHSAD Juniors’ Mask Project
Since October of 2022, the Junior Design class led by Ms. Moos and Mr. Crockford, has been working on designing and constructing masks. The process began with having students define what a mask is, along with researching their own masks and going over the history and significance of masks. After grasping the concept of a “mask,” students were then able to take creative liberty and design a mask of their own. This involved sketching several views of their imagined masks so that when the construction process began, they would have a clear idea of what they would be building. When the time to build the masks came, the main materials used were cardboard, tape, and staples. This was followed by papier-mâché and the eventual painting and … [Read more...]
WHSAD Students Win Second Place in Project Witness Design Challenge
The Project Witness program helps students better understand the Holocaust in an effort to eradicate the hatred and ignorance that caused such horrors. Through engaging curriculum, survivor talks, and culminating projects, WHSAD students have become more responsible and empathetic human beings. This year, another facet of the program in which students participated was a design challenge, which focused on Lager Shvesters, or Camp Sisters. Quite a few WHSAD students submitted entries, and freshman, Alonzo Jones, and Sophomore, Cynthia Luna-Marcelino, placed second in the categories of literature and art respectively. Below is their work along with their statements about their pieces. The Power of Friendship by Alonzo Jones The … [Read more...]
Generation Immigration-WHSAD’s 2023 CUNY CAT Residency
Over the course of two months, WHSAD seniors explored the topic of immigration. Supported by CUNY Creative Arts Team (CAT) facilitators, Claro de los Reyes and Jose Duran, students engaged in creative processes of developing dialogue, points of conflict, and engaging narration in order to investigate numerous facets of the immigrant experience. Above, you may watch the full video of the students' culminating presentations and below you may read some of the participating students' takeaways. The collaboration with CUNY CAT Generation Immigration program was funded by the Walentas Family Foundation. Ian Perez Florian Working with Claro and Jose has brought into light some hidden potential that I never knew I had in myself. Through … [Read more...]
WHSAD’s Solar One Sessions
Solar panels have been with us since 1883 when Charles Fritts decided that he would coat a thin layer of what is called selenium with an extremely thin layer of gold. These resulting cells had an electrical output of only about 1%, but his invention led to further movement in solar energy. This past March, Mr. Geovani Caldero, an instructor and program manager of Career and Technical education from Solar One, visited WHSAD Sophomore architecture CADD classes. Mr. Caldero worked with us for a span of two weeks to present information on what panels are and how they are used. He also shared personal stories about his community, and how the impact of Hurricane Marie on Puerto Rico had him thinking more intently about the importance of … [Read more...]
Park Avenue Armory Youth Corps Visit Guggenheim Museum
Recently I visited the Guggenheim museum for the first time with the program I’m interning for, Youth Corp at Park Avenue Armory. I’ve been holding off going to the renowned museum for a while because I haven't had the time to. I fortunately was able to go with the people I know, including friends and “co-workers”. Working at the Armory has been such a fun experience. It’s a diverse space where everyone can be themselves which is important within a work environment such as the Armory. We’ve been exploring and experiencing different types of immersive art, especially through performance for our capstone project. At the end of the semester we’ll create a piece of art that blurs the line between performer and audience, expands our … [Read more...]
WHSAD Work Learn Grow Students Reflect on Their Experiences
Alexander Diaz's Reflection Introduction The internship was a path between what we have learned so far about architecture here at WHSAD and the path ahead of us was with Gensler. Being more professional and attempting to meet deadlines was important throughout the internship. As the internship comes to a close, I'd like to go over what I've learned about myself and my work ethic. Personal Reflection Ever since freshman year, I always believed that these “afterschool” projects would have me working at night, sparing me no sleep and making it difficult to do anything else outside of school. After doing this internship, I can certainly tell you that is not the case. What really matters is your work-life … [Read more...]
Alexander Zeldin’s “Love” at Park Avenue Armory
What is Love? Although it may seem that most find love at every corner, the truth is love is rare especially in today’s day and era. Dealing with the pandemic, Covid, and few interactions limited the love that we are supposed to share. To explore this topic The Park Avenue Armory presents the play Love by Alexander Zeldin. The production involves families and individuals living in a shelter and dealing with unfortunate circumstances. The author really showed us that when there is nothing and you're burdened with so many responsibilities, then you realize what love truly is. Before we saw the play, Vickie Tanner, Park Avenue Armory teaching artist, came in and provided a little advanced preparation. This being my first play, I found … [Read more...]