R A H W A Y 7 T H A N D 8 T H G R A D E A C A D E M Y

| The Academy Times |

June 2015 Volume 3 Issue 4

By: Sarah Singh

Rahway Academy takes two major

class trips per year. When Mr. John-

son mentions an upcoming field trip,

everyone gets very excited!

The 7th Grade Field Trip was to visit

Raritan Valley Planetarium where we

watched a show and did a scavenger

hunt. We then went to the Bridge-

water Sports Arena where we played

laser tag (which everyone said was

the best part), played in an arcade,

and ice skated! We also had some

great food served up by none other

than Mr. Sorrentino! Everyone that

went said they had a great time.

The 8th Graders are looking forward

to their upcoming trip to Washington

D.C.!

You Can’t Stop Hairspray, Jr.

By: Keren Lebron

Music, theater, and arts are great aspects that make up Rahway Academy. There are many tal-

ented students that joined our musical play

this school year, which took place March

21-23. This musical brought students to-

gether to work hard and reach one goal

which is doing what they love to do most:

performing on stage. Hairspray, Jr. was not

just a romantic musi- cal, but an eye-opening

experience. Students had an opportunity to re

-live segregation that occurred in 1962. Tracy

Turnblad played by Hailee Ross, auditions

for a spot on an all white show at the time.

She becomes an overnight celebrity. This

led to racial integra- tion in the show. “This

show won’t be forgotten by the town. It was the best it could have been,” said 8th grader Khiari

Barrino. This musical with such an vital message resonated with the audience. Rahway Academy

didn't skip a beat with this show-stopping performance.

7th Grade Field Trip Fun

Bullying/Suicide

Awareness

By: Lily Viteka

A big problem in our

world is bullying. It can

lead to problems such

as anxiety, depression,

self-harm, and suicide. A

lot of students need

help. However, class-

mates may not see the

warning signs.

If you suspect a friend

needs help, please tell a

trusted adult like a

counselor, teacher, or a

parent. Are you afraid

you will feel like a

snitch? Then leave an

anonymous note on a

counselor’s desk. This

could potentially save a

life. It’s better to have a

friend mad at you than

gone forever. Suicide is

a permanent act. Bully-

ing is not. There are peo-

ple who can help.

Let’s stop the hate, the

torture, the pain, and

p o t e n t i a l l y s a v e

someone’s life. A simple

hello can stop a bigger

good bye. Learn to be a

friend, not an enemy.

P a g e 2 T h e A c a d e m y T i m e s

The Band Bulletin By: Meghan Flynn

In March, students from the Academy Band Program per-formed at the annual Union County Teen Arts Festival.

Among the selected chamber ensembles were the Brass

Choir, Clarinet Quartet, the Woodwind Ensemble, a Wood-wind Trio +1, the Flute Choir, Clarinet Choir, and a duet by

Adam Greebel and Mrs. Spatz. Bravo to all who performed! But a big bravo to the Flute

Choir for being selected to per-form at the Teen Arts Show-

case!!! (Even though you weren’t supposed to be examined in this

competition aspect of the festival!)

Union County Teen Arts 2015

All-District Band Night

This was a THRILLER, THRILLER night!! On April 16th, Rahway’s biggest (and best) bands combined to have a night full of fun and music! Held here at the Academy, the All-City Band, the High School Sym-phonic Band and the 7th & 8th Grade Concert Bands performed music from the Land of Oz to the streets of Brazil during Carnaval! Among the arrangements were three Top 40 Hits played by our own Academy Bands! Performed by the 7th Grade Concert Band, they sure didn’t “go wrong” playing the hit “Am I Wrong” by Nico and Vinz. Performed by the 8th Grade Concert Band were “Royals” written by Lourde and the chart topping hit “Bang Bang” made famous by international superstars Jessie J, Ariana Grande, and Nicki Manaj. All of the bands finished the night by playing the mega hit by Michael Jackson, “Thriller,” complete with zombie choreography and choruses from Mrs. Van Wyk while she conducted the 8th Grade Concert Band!!

Zikrayat at Lincoln Center, NYC

On March 18th students from the Academy Band and Orchestra Pro-

grams had the unique opportunity to travel into New York City to see

the group Zikrayat at Lincoln Center. This group, titled after the Arabic

word “memories,” showcased music, instruments, and dance from

Egypt and the greater Arab world. This trip was a continuation of global

awareness in the Arts Programs following the Project MEMA Recital.

Previous to this trip Directors Spatz,Van Wyk, and LaBelle took great

initiative to educate their students about the different instruments,

sounds, and colors of the Arab world. While there, students were able

to have a Q & A with the artists and a tour of Lincoln Center! And, in

one of the group tours, globally recognized, musical genius Alan Gilbert

made a surprise walk past the group! He is the current Musical Director

of the New York Philharmonic!!! Students were also able to hear a snip-

pet of a rehearsal of the Philharmonic, on one of their never-publicly

performed pieces, from a photography booth! This was truly an experi-

ence to remember!

Watch our 7th & 8th graders com-

bining as a "Promotion

Band" to provide the ceremonial mu-sic at the 8th grade Promotion Ceremo-

ny on June 22!

P a g e 3

V o l u m e 3 , i s s u e 4

By: Meghan Flynn

It was a night full of friends, fun, and dancing! Rahway Academy’s 7th and

8th graders came to celebrate the beginning of spring break in style! At this

year’s semi-formal, titled “A Night in Hollywood,” students surely felt like

stars! From the movie reel decorations, red carpet photos, and the iced tea

fountain, students felt Oscar-worthy.

Ladies were dressed to the nines in dresses and very classy ensembles.

And the young men also dressed to the T’s in dress shirts and some even

had blazers! Well done to all, who looked red-carpet-worthy. On the menu

of this event were classic sub sandwiches, rice, fried chicken, ground beef,

salad, and a delicious school-colored cake to finish the night. A big thanks

to the PBSIS committee and to all of the staff who chaperoned at this

event!

A Night in Hollywood Dance

By: Keren Lebron

The Rahway 7th and 8th Grade Academy has many athletes that take part in

our sports every year. The boys baseball team had a great season working

hard to win every victory. Being on the team doesn’t just teach you how to

become a better player but also teaches them leadership, sportsmanship,

and that hard work gets you far. Coach O’Reilly said, “The season was a

great one. I was proud of each player and their contributions to the team. I

look forward to another great year next year!”

Boys Baseball

Girls Softball By: Bryanna Fleischman

The Rahway Academy girls softball team had a great season! The team started off

the year better than last year. We started getting runs quickly this year. The team

also got better throughout the season. The team captains this year were Alize Corzo

and Maggie Sadlon. The pitcher this year was Taylor Antczak, with Ava Garay pitch-

ing occasionally. The team ended the season with a 4-7 record. A lot of members

are 8th graders who are graduating, so the team will have to start fresh next year

and rebuild. Coach O’Callahan said, “The girls did a great job this year. I was very

happy with how much they improved from the beginning of the season until the end

of the season. Many of them had never played organized softball and worked hard

to be competitive with the other teams in our league.”

Gang Awareness at the Academy

By: Atiya Jackson

Rahway Academy students experienced a Gang Awareness Presentation

in April. It was very inspiring and students learned so much about life in

jail and gangs. Gang expert, Lt. Torres, has come the past several years

to speak to students about gangs. He managed to be funny and enter-

taining even though it was a very serious topic, which enabled him to

reach students. The presentation taught us many lessons but the main

message was clear: Stay away from gangs! Even if you are on a success-

ful path joining a gang would take you down a path that would make you

throw your entire life away and endanger the lives of your family and

loved ones. Thank you Lt. Torres for coming to speak with us!

INTERESTED IN JOINING THE NEWSPAPER? SEE MRS. DE VITO IN 325A!

The Academy Times Staff Members:

Katelynn Bunsee Tracy Datus Samuel Dorielan Bryanna Fleischman Atiya Jackson

Melissa Knutelski Stacy Saint-Paul

Sarah Singh Lily Viteka

Senior Editor: Keren Lebron

Arts & Music Editor: Meghan Flynn Photographer: Cecilia Puga

Advisor: Mrs. De Vito

Upcoming Important Dates at

Rahway Academy 6/4 Faculty/Student Basketball Game

6/5 Spanish Dance

6/8 Spanish I Trip to the United Nations

6/9 A+ Attitude Awards Program

6/10 8th Grade Picture

6/11 RHS Band Presentation and 8th Grade Trip to

Washington, DC

6/15 Chorus Pops Concert Grade 8 and Grade 7

6/16 Academic Awards and Attendance Program

6/17 Carnival Day

6/19, 6/22, 6/23 Shortened Days

6/22 8th Grade Promotion and Dance

The Academy Times Staff

would like to wish the

faculty and students of

Rahway Academy a safe,

relaxing, and fun-filled

summer!

By: Melissa Knutelski

On June 4, the students and facul-

ty faced off at the annual Faculty

Student Bas- ketball Game held

in the gym at Rahway 7th and

8th Grade Academy. The

game was very exciting to

watch with m u l t i p l e l e a d

changes. The ending of the game

has sparked much controversy.

With four sec- onds left on the

clock, Elijah Peele hit a three point shot to put the students up by one. At that

point the stu- dent fans rushed

the court, pre- venting the game

from being completed. They

carried Peele off the court chant-

ing, “MVP!” The students were

initially de- clared victorious.

Later, an an- nouncement was

made that since the student

fans rushed the court, the facul-

ty would be awarded two foul

shots, as this was determined to

be a technical foul. Mr. Cawley

made one of the two shots, thus tying the game. Will an overtime quarter be

played? Or will it end as a tie? Will the students break the faculty winning

streak? Stay tuned to find out!

Students Beat Faculty?