Seniors Honored at Awards Night
Seniors Honored at Awards Night
The first Senior Class of World Journalism Prep. was recognized at an Awards Ceremony on Thursday June 3 in the school auditorium. The ceremonies led by Principal Ms. Schneider honored those students who have excelled in their four years of high school in areas ranging from academics, athletics, citizenship and service.
Click on the photo for a larger image.
The Awards
Honors with Highest Distinction……….. Raymond Arroyo
……….. Stephania Castro
……….. Estefania Hernandez
……….. Shanza Khushnood
Honors with Distinction……….. Erica Castagliola
……….. Katlyn Everett
……….. Elizabeth Greenfield
……….. Crystal Savva
Achievement in English……….. Erica Castagliola
Achievement in Mathematics……….. Raymond Arroyo
Achievement in Science……….. Joseph Maisel
Achievement in Social Studies……….. Daniel Randell
Achievement in Spanish……….. Luis Feliciano
Achievement in Art……….. Estefania Hernandez
Achievement in Physical Education & Health……….. Crystal Savva
Regents Challenge Highest Score of the Class: Integrated Algebra……….. Stephania Castro
Regents Challenge Highest Score of the Class: Math B……….. Shanza Khushnood
Regents Challenge Highest Score of the Class: Geometry……….. Joseph Maisel
Regents Challenge Highest Score of the Class: ELA……….. Rachel Reed
Regents Challenge Highest Score of the Class: Living Environment……….. Shanza Khushnood
Regents Challenge Highest Score of the Class: Earth Science……….. Michael Kotrys
Regents Challenge Highest Score of the Class: Chemistry……….. Andrew Kim
Regents Challenge Highest Score of the Class: Physics……….. Shanza Khushnood
Regents Challenge Highest Score of the Class: US History……….. Crystal Savva
Regents Challenge Highest Score of the Class: Global History……….. Fernando Echeverri
Regents Challenge Highest Score of the Class: Spanish……….. Stephania Castro
……….. Claudia Chevez-Reyes
……….. Monica Delgado
……….. Katherine Orengo
……….. Joanna Ramirez
Katherine Salazar
……….. Marlyn Sanchez
Regents Challenge: Highest overall score on seven exams………… Shanza Khushnood
Principal’s Leadership Award……….. Gerardo Vargas
Achievement in Newspaper: Entertainment Reporting……….. Lisa-Marie Ludford
Achievement in Newspaper: Photojournalism……….. Jordan Montell
Achievement in Newspaper: Copy Editing……….. Raymond Arroyo
Achievement in Newspaper: Editorial……….. Mia Martinez
Achievement in Newspaper: Feature……….. Erica Castagliola
Achievement in Publications: Yearbook: Layout/Design……….. Luis Feliciano
Achievement in Publications: Yearbook: Photography……….. Karina Murillo
Achievement in Publications: Yearbook: Writing……….. Robert Wright
Achievement in Broadcast: Excellence in Broadcast Development……….. Christina Kiousenterlis
Achievement in Broadcast: Excellence in Writing……….. Elena Brandes
Achievement in Broadcast: Technical Direction……….. Melody Rivera
Achievement in Broadcast: Broadcast News Delivery……….. Daniel Randell
Achievement in Broadcast: Best Coverage of School Events……….. Yanil Mencia
Achievement in Broadcast: Story of the Year
“Class of 2010 Senior Trip”….. Gerardo Vargas
Honorable Mention from the ESSPA Competition
in the Category of “Sports Feature”….. Eric Vasquez
Chancellor’s Honor Roll
Film….. Melody Rivera
Sports….. Travis Rivera
Attendance….. Jeremy Rodriguez
Richard Welling Certificate for outstanding service to WJPS……….. Estephania Hernandez
Cooperation in Government Certificate……….. Jonathan Midelton
Hackett Medal for proficiency in oratory……….. Lisa-Marie Ludford
New York State Senate Outstanding Achievement Award……….. Crystal Savva
New York State Comptroller’s Achievement Award……….. Erica Castagliola
The Public Advocate for the City of New York Citation.………. Elizabeth Greenfield
Council of School Administrators Blanche Schwartz Award.………. Giovanni Ramos
……….. Travis Rivera
Council of School Administrators Leadership Award……….. Luis Feliciano
American Federation of School Administrator’s Leadership Award……….. Xiang Zhou
UFT Humane Education Committee Certificate of Appreciation……….. Jeffrey Shine
UFT Art Award……….. Anthony Molina
UFT Outdoor Environmental Education Certificate……….. Rachel Reed
UFT Math Teachers Committee Certificate……….. Karina Murillo
UFT Teachers of Social Studies Certificate of Merit Award……….. Divya Desai
WJPS Art Service Award……….. Al Negron
WJPS Math Service Award……….. Sherlyn Gonzales
WJPS Athletics Award……….. Jeremy Rodriguez
WJPS Exemplar Award for Most Improved……….. Rachel Reed
……….. Omar Vargas
WJPS Graduation Speakers chosen by the Class of 2010……….. Raymond Arroyo
……….. Daniel Randell
……….. Gerardo Vargas
WJPS College Summit Peer Leaders……….. Raymond Arroyo
……….. ……….. Paula Barbosa
……….. ……….. Stephania Castro
……….. ……….. Franshesca Chery
……….. ……….. Claudia Chevez-Reyes
……….. ……….. Divya Desai
……….. ……….. Fernando Echeverri
……….. ……….. Estefania Hernandez
……….. ……….. Ashley Liszka
……….. ……….. Lisa-Marie Ludford
……….. ……….. Brian Melendez
……….. ……….. James Pontillo
……….. ……….. Marlyn Sanchez
……….. ……….. Simone Straws
……….. ……….. Xiang Zhou
WJPS Service: Commencement Committee……….. Paula Barbosa
……….. Divya Desai
……….. ……….. Estefania Hernandez
……….. ……….. Ashley Liszka
……….. ……….. Rachel Reed
……….. ……….. Rheyana Ridley
……….. ……….. Marlyn Sanchez
Middle School Shines in Musicale
6th Graders Marcela Abanto and Alyssa Striano describe their experiences after performing in the Middle School Musicale on Wednesday June 2.
By: Marcela Abanto
Well, participating in the Show Choir was really fun! I love singing and dancing. We learned a lot of dance steps and songs that I am still singing in my head! Rehearsing was hard though. I usually have a lot of activities outside of school after school such as, piano and singing, dancing, and a lot more. I had to skip these activities but it actually all paid off! I wasn’t confused and frustrated in the show, because I attended and participated in all the rehearsals. I was so happy and excited! There were a lot of people so I was kind of nervous. After a few songs, I started having fun and forgot the audience was even there. I had the best time, and I will never forget this experience!
By: Alyssa Striano
I thought that participating in Show- Choir was a lot of fun. I liked the song selection and the dances that we got to learn. I am also happy that I made a lot of new friends like Sorena Fabre and Michelle Shine. I also got to hang out with one of classmates Marcela Abanto. I liked performing a lot. I thought that the piano was a bit loud but I think we did a really good job! I am not much of a shy person so performing was not that bad. We did an awesome job!!!!
WJPS Students Receive Awards at Ceremony
On the morning of Wednesday June 2, the WJPS school community gathered in the Auditorium for their annual awards ceremony. Awards were given to students for attendance, service, academics and athletic prowess. These awarded students have gone above and upon in their classrooms or school community.
Some highlights of the morning ceremony included the middle school students receiving awards for ELA, Math, Technology, Science and Social Studies along with physical education. The Editors of the Blazer, the WJPS school newspaper, received awards from the Empire State School Press Association and the Columbia University School of Journalism for excellence in editing, editorial content and sports writing. Select sixth and eighth grade students were honored for their service and hard work with the children from PS 233, the District 75 school located in the basement floor of the school campus.
On Thursday June 3, the Seniors of WJPS will receive their awards in a ceremony in the auditorium starting at 7:00 PM. The entire WJPS Community is invited to attend.
WJPS Students Featured in Bayside Times
Via. Bayside Times
By: Anna Gustafson
Queens teenagers unable to afford the often hefty price tags that come with prom dresses received a helping hand in Bayside last weekend.
Members of the Bayside chapter of Becca’s Closet, a national nonprofit, set up shop in the basement of a Bayside apartment building Saturday and gave out free prom dresses to anyone who was able to find that perfect fit among the 85 gowns donated to the group.
“We know some girls can’t afford dresses because they’re so expensive, and we wanted to make them happy,” said Leni Matava, 15, a sophomore at the World Journalism Preparatory School in Flushing and one of the founders of the Bayside chapter of Becca’s Closet.
Becca’s Closet was founded by the family of a Florida teen, Rebecca Kirtman, who died in a car accident in 2003. Kirtman had launched a dress drive and distributed hundreds of gowns before her death.
Matava and Stefani Greenstein, 15, also a sophomore at the Flushing high school, founded the Bayside chapter this year. They began in January to collect the donated dresses, which ranged from red to green, beaded to metallic and floral to lace. Students from throughout Queens gave the dresses, new and used, to the group, including a Girl Scout troop from the St. Mel School in Flushing. They also gave away jewelry for the upcoming dances.
“We wanted girls to leave happy,” Greenstein said of Saturday’s event that was advertised in a number of Queens high schools. “We hope they have fun at their prom like any other girl.”
The two said it seemed especially timely to form the chapter this year in light of the tough economy.
“Instead of spending $300 on a dress, you can come here and get one for free and spend that $300 on something you really need,” Greenstein said.
The girls who attended Saturday’s event said they were appreciative of the chance to land a free gown, but did not want to give their names because of the stigma that can surround those who are not financially well-off.
“It’s a good way to save money,” said a senior from the World Journalism Preparatory School. “And then maybe if I get a dress, I could donate it for someone else.”
Another teenager from Bayside High School said she was ecstatic with the way a number of dresses fit her.
“It can be hard shopping for a dress,” she said.
Lori Matava, a Little Neck resident and Leni Matava’s mother, said they decided to hold the event after “so many girls” called their chapter asking if they had dresses.
“If I can get one girl to get a dress, I’ll be so happy,” said Lori Matava, who said she is now looking for help storing the remaining dresses for next year.
For more information or to donate a dress, visit beccascloset.org.
Summer Jobs for Students
Students looking for work over the summer months should see Mr. Nisonoff for an application to the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP). It provides jobs for young people ages 14 to 24 with summer employment.
For more information, http://www.nyc.gov/html/dycd/html/jobs/summer_youth_employment.shtml
Update: The Application deadline has passed.
Seniors Celebrate as Year Comes to Close
As the Class of 2010 prepares to be the first graduates in the short history of WJPS, many celebrations will be taking place over the course of the next few weeks. These events are used as a chance to celebrate the successes of the past four years.
On Wednesday May 19, the graduates attended their Senior Brunch at Donovan’s in Bayside. This was a chance to reminisce about all the good and even not so good times at WJPS.
This is a special year for everyone at WJPS. Not only will this group be the first graduates, but they were the founding students of the school in September 2006. They have been apart of every occasion in the school’s short history.
But, the two biggest occasions are still to come. On June 23, the first ever Senior Prom will take place. “I am most looking forward to the Prom,” said senior Elena Brandes. ” Since I was little I couldn’t wait to attend my Prom.”
Two days later on June 25, the first ever WJPS graduation will take place on that Friday afternoon.
The student broadcast, Live 4 Five, the Blazer and the new WJPS Website will be there every step of the way so stay tuned to all of the WJPS Publications as the month June continues on.
Live and On the Air
Everyday following Channel One, the WJPS broadcast class is now going live. The new show titled, “Live for Five” is the school’s daily destination for announcements.
“It’s an adrenaline rush and we are learning that you never know what to expect,” said Melody Rivera who is the technical director for the show. The students are conductinglive interviews with administration, teachers and support staff discussing all the events taking place at World Journalism Prep.
“It’s frustrating,” said an honest Gerardo Vargas who handles the cameras and other technicals aspects of the show. The students are learning the difficulties television production staffs encounter on a daily basis.
Teachers looking to have their announcments mentioned on the broadcast should email at Live4Five@wjps.org.
WJPS Relaunches Website
After months of hardwork, the publications team of WJPS introduces their relaunched Website. This new and improved source for everything WJPS will be one stop shopping for the lastest headlines, college information, parent resources, online school publications, administrative announcements, school events, and club information.
The Website team will be looking for teachers and students to submit any stories, photos, videos and student work to webmaster@wjps.org.
High School Admissions Update
Dear Parent/Guardian,
A decision has just been reached in the lawsuit brought by the UFT and others that has had an impact on the high school admissions process. As soon as possible, the Office of Student Enrollment will mail your child’s high school admissions letter to the home address listed on his or her high school application.
We know how difficult this delay has been for you and for your family, and we thank you for your patience. In the meantime, please continue to check the Department of Education’s Web site at www.nyc.gov/schools, or call 311, for updated information.
Official Press Release: High School Admissions Update