Arts High School Guitar Quintet Performance for Secretary of Education Dr. Miguel Cardona
Oct 7, 2022

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The Newark Board of Education is extremely proud to announce that Ms. Crystal Caldwell of Arts High School has been selected as a Gates Scholar and member of The Gates Scholarship Class of 2022. The Gates Scholarship represents the very pinnacle of academic achievement, service, and commitment.
This year, 37,000 applicants from across the nation, participated in a rigorous application process, vying to become one of 300 scholarship recipients. The prestigious scholarship pays for all undergraduate expenses and offers access to a network of fellow scholars and other distinguished individuals and leaders.
Although Newark Public Schools have been impacted by disruptions and unexpected challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Educators, administrators, and staff remained diligent in their work to keep students driven, focused, and on track. Superintendent Roger León said, “We have worked really hard to continue educating our students at the highest level through COVID-19 and virtual learning. Crystal, receiving this scholarship is an example of our hard work paying off”.
Board President Dawn Haynes said, “Crystal worked hard, especially during her time in high school and her efforts deserve an award of this magnitude”.
Crystal is a Visual Arts major at Arts High School and she will be attending Lehigh University in the fall where she will be majoring in Engineering and minoring in Fine Arts - she offers some advice for future Gates Scholarship applicants, “All I did was listen to my teachers, do my homework, and participate in lots of extra-curricular activities. If I can do it, so can you”.
Crystal’s sister, Ms. Ashley Drake exclaimed, “Words cannot describe how proud and happy I am for Crystal. I’ve witnessed how adversity has made her strong. She is an amazing student who is deserving of this amazing opportunity. I know that our father is smiling down on her”.
Principal Devonne Gorman and Arts High School Drama Instructor Ms. Elena Dones welcomed the community back to in-person theater productions with its first drama production since the COVID-19 pandemic not only shut down the first school of the visual and performing arts in the nation but all schools, in New Jersey, back in March 2020.
The government-ordered school shutdown aimed to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
All Newark Public Schools resumed in-person instruction last fall 2021, but in early January 2022, Superintendent Roger Leon ordered district schools to switch back to online learning for a while because of an upsurge in COVID infections in Newark.
Read more at RLS Media: https://www.rlsmedia.com/article/curtains-newark-arts-high-school-pathway-theater-productions-resumes-after-18-month-covid
Welcome to the history books, Mj Rodriguez.
The “Pose” star on Tuesday made Emmy history, becoming the first out trans woman to be nominated in the outstanding lead actress category for her role in the FX drama, GLAAD, a leading LGBTQ advocacy organization, told CNN. She is also the first out trans performer nominated in any lead acting category, according to the organization.
“For me being recognized by my peers and by my colleagues, it just means the world for me,” Rodriguez told Entertainment Tonight.
She added: “I’m a human at the end of the day. All I wanted was the world to see me, I wanted them to see that I had something to offer.”
Rodriguez, who plays Blanca on the series, accounted for one of nine nominations earned by “Pose” this year.
Billy Porter, who won his first Emmy in 2019, was nominated in the lead actor category, and “Pose” received a nomination for best drama.
“Michaela Jaé (Mj) Rodriguez’s Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series is a breakthrough for transgender women in Hollywood, and a long-overdue recognition for her groundbreaking performance over the past three seasons of POSE,” GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis said in a statement. “Additionally, the show’s nomination for Outstanding Drama Series, as well as Billy Porter’s third nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, mark a historic show that undoubtedly raised the bar for trans representation on television and changed the way viewers around the world understand the trans community.”
Last month, GLAAD rallied over 40 organizations for an open letter that encouraged Emmy voters to support the groundbreaking series in its final season, calling it a show that “transformed the landscape of transgender representation in Hollywood and educated the world on who transgender people are.”
This is not the first time “Pose” has made history. In 2019, Porter became the first openly gay Black man to win an Emmy in the lead actor category.
“I am honored and humbled to have my work once again be recognized by the academy,” Porter said of his nomination this year. “I stand at the intersection of art and activism, and I am forever grateful for the healing journey that POSE has been for myself, my colleagues and the world!”
Rodriguez’s nomination is a milestone in a long fight for transgender performers, who’ve too often gone unrecognized for their work while many cisgender actors have been recognized for playing trans characters.
In recent years, progress has been seen.
In 2014, Laverne Cox became the first transgender person to be nominated in an acting category in Primetime Emmy history, thanks to her role on Netflix’s “Orange Is the New Black.” She would go on to be nominated three more times in the outstanding guest actress category and win a Daytime Emmy in 2015.
And in 2020, Rain Valdez was nominated for outstanding actress in a short form comedy or drama series for her role in “Razor Tongue.”
Source: https://www.cnn.com/2021/07/13/entertainment/mj-rodriguez/index.html
FAIRFAX, VA (Wed Jul 07 00:00:00 GMT 2021)--
Ingrid Cristofoletti, a student at Arts High School (Newark, NJ, US), has been selected to represent Newark, NJ as a National Youth Correspondent to the 2021 Washington Journalism and Media Conference at George Mason University.
Cristofoletti joins a select group of students from all over the country for an intensive study of journalism and media. Cristofoletti was chosen based on academic accomplishments and a demonstrated interest and excellence in journalism and media studies. National Youth Correspondents participate in hands-on, experiential learning through decision-making simulations that challenge them to solve problems and explore the creative, practical, and ethical tensions inherent in journalism and media. The experiential portion of the program is complemented by speakers who are well-known leaders in the media community. Presenters include prominent journalists, CEOs of major media outlets, researchers, and recent college graduates successfully entering the field. Past speakers have included Hoda Kotb from NBC, Brian Lamb from C-SPAN, Pulitzer Prize winning photographer Carol Guzy, and Susan Goldberg from National Geographic.
With distinguished faculty, guest speakers, and direct access to elite D.C. practitioners, the Washington Journalism and Media Conference offers aspiring journalists and student leaders an unparalleled experience. The week long program, held at George Mason University’s state-of-the-art campus, will encourage and inspire young leaders from across the country who desire a unique experience focused on successful careers in this dynamic industry.
The Washington Journalism and Media Conference will be held July 18 to 23, 2021.
About George Mason University
George Mason University is setting the gold standard for the modern, public university. Its dynamic culture and innovative academic programs prepare Mason’s hard-working students for 21st century careers. Its commitment to teaching excellence combines with cutting-edge research that enriches the academic experience and is changing the world. Mason is affordable, yet offers high value. Ideally located in the National Capital region, students enjoy terrific cultural experiences and access to the most sought-after internships and employers in the country.
About the 2021 Washington Journalism and Media Conference
The Washington Journalism and Media Conference (WJMC) is a unique student leadership conference designed to develop and encourage future leaders in the changing face of media in the 21st century. The Advisory Board includes CEOs of media outlets, distinguished journalists and renowned authors and university faculty. For more information visit us online at wjmc.gmu.edu.
Jarrett Carter, 16, saw thick, gray smoke when he rushed two houses down to Jewel Harris’ home in Newark on Wednesday morning.
Harris, 93, has Alzheimer’s and lives alone in the home on Eastern Parkway, her family said. Without Carter’s quick actions to get Harris out of the house, her family worried she could have passed out.
“When I got down there she was asking me what was happening,” said the teen, who had just started his remote school day when he ran out to help.
Another neighbor alerted Carter’s dad, a former East Orange fire captain, to tell him about the smoke coming from Harris’ home before phoning the fire department. Rick Carter then called his son and told him to check on Harris, both families said.
The teen, a sophomore at Arts High School, is now being lauded as a hero by Harris’ daughter, son-in-law, and father. The Newark Public Safety Department thanked him for his help too.
“It wasn’t an easy feat,” said June Wright-Calhoun, Harris’ daughter. “I’m sure she was like, ‘What is going on?’ I really commend him.”
Firefighters responded at 8:19 a.m. and brought the fire under control about 20 minutes later, Newark Public Safety Director Brian O’Hara said. Harris was evaluated for smoke inhalation. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, he said.
“We are grateful for the support of neighbors, including the family of East Orange Fire Captain Carter, who we have learned offered assistance to the elderly victim during this incident,” O’Hara said.
Rick Carter reviewed surveillance video that showed his son rushing out of the house after Harris’ dog ran up their driveway to get their attention too.
“That was a proud moment for me,” Carter said of his son.
The Carters have kept an eye on Harris ever since they moved in around 2007, cutting her grass and bringing her a plate of food when they cook dinner. Harris has lived in the home for about 40 years, her family said.
Harris had just woken up when NJ Advance Media spoke to her daughter on Friday. The daughter drove up from her home in Maryland and is staying with her mom in a hotel while they evaluate the next steps for Harris’ living situation.
Harris’ son-in-law, a retired police officer, reached out to NJ Advance Media to commend the teen. He thought it was important to show that young people are still doing good things in their communities.
“I think he’s a hero,” said the son-in-law, Robert Calhoun. “When I see him, I’m going to shake his hand.”
The 16-year-old doesn’t consider himself a hero though.
“I would’ve done it for anybody,” he said. “I think any person would’ve done what I did. I don’t think there was anything special to what I did.”
Originally published at NJ.com