Author Archives: tjames

The Writers Theatre of New Jersey is launching a brand-new New Jersey Youth Poet Laureate program! High school students from all over the state can enter by submitting five poems via our online form, found here, under the “Prepare the … Continue reading →

“Sudden Death,” a play written by Maddie Christmann ’18 in her Creative Writing class was accepted for publication by the Claremont Review, an international literary magazine for writers and artists age 13 – 19. Claremont has been publishing work by … Continue reading →

“Bitter Words,” a poem by Katy Kim ’18, will be published in the summer 2016 issue of Canvas Literary Journal. Congratulations, Katy!

The Apprentice Writer, Susquehanna University’s annual anthology of distinguished high school work, will publish pieces by three Newark Academy students in their Fall 2016 issue, volume 34. From 3,000 submissions received, the editors selected 60 stories, poems and essays for … Continue reading →

“Clair de Lune,” a short story by Joshua Martin ’16 earned Honorable Mention in Rider University’s 36th annual national High School Writing Contest and is being considered for publication in Rider’s literary magazine, Venture. Josh wrote the story for his … Continue reading →

Betsy Zaubler ’17 won the 2016 National Council of Teachers of English Achievement Award for Superior Writing for her personal essay, which responded to this year’s theme, “balancing passions with obligations.” Betsy also submitted a portfolio of creative work, including … Continue reading →

A play written by Gabrielle Poisson ’17 during Newark Academy’s 2016 24-hour Play Writing Festival, won acceptance to the Blank Theatre’s Young Playwrights Festival and will be professionally produced in Los Angeles in June. The play, titled Doesn’t that Sound … Continue reading →

Every year the New Jersey Council of Teachers of English holds a statewide writing contest for high school students. This year three Newark Academy students won Bronze Medals for Poetry. Eva Lebovtiz ’18 won for her poem “Cityscape.” Valery Tarco … Continue reading →

“In the Corn Maze,” a play by Francesca Badalamenti ’18 is one of five scripts selected as statewide winners in the 33rd annual NJ Playwrights Festival high school contest. The play will be staged by professional actors during the Playwrights … Continue reading →

Two of Newark Academy’s 16 Scholastic Writing Award Regional Gold Key winners have gone on to earn awards on the national level. Kiran Damodaran ’17 and Elizabeth Merrigan ’16 earned Silver Medals for Poetry. Of over 320,000 Scholastic entries in … Continue reading →

“Pulse,” a poem by Alena Zhang ’18 and “Shattering Ice,” a poem  by Megan McCullough ’18 were published in the March and April 2016 issues respectively of the of the national print magazine, Teen Ink, which has a circulation of … Continue reading →

“Our Romance is Kamikaze,” a poem by Isabel Young ’17 was selected for publication by the Louisville Review and will appear in their Issue 81, Spring 2016. TLR is an adult national literary magazine publishing since 1976. Brava, Issi!

“Thanksgiving Surprise” by Betsy Zaubler ’17 and “Sounds of Winter” by Samantha Kany ’18 won 1st and 2nd place respectively in the the Writers’ Slate annual writing contest sponsored by The Writing Conference, Inc. This year’s contest theme was “courage.” … Continue reading →

Plays by Francesca Badalamenti ’18, Joelle Gross ’17 and Betsy Zaubler ’17 are three of 18 scripts to reach the final round of judging in the 33rd NJ Playwrights Festival annual high school contest. Joelle’s play, “Double Exposure,” was written during … Continue reading →

Two poems, “Abandoned Girl” by Francesca Badalamenti ’18 and “Perennial,” by Alena Zhang ’18, have been published in Black Fox Literary Magazine Issue 13, Winter 2016. Francesca’s poem is after “Abandoned Farmhouse” by Ted Kooser. The poems will be forthcoming … Continue reading →

This fall, five Newark Academy students published in three different genres on Teen Ink’s online magazine. Sanya Bery ’17 published her personal essay, “A Dirt-covered Secret, That Can Save Us All,” which was selected for the front page of the … Continue reading →

“The Shipwreck” a poem by Maddie Christmann ’18, written in Creative Writing class as an emulation of Robert Wrigley’s “After a Rainstorm,” will be published in the November/ December issue of the national print magazine, Cicada. “Traffic,” a poem by … Continue reading →

SaVonne Anderson ’13, a current student at Fordham University, has published a book of essays entitled Womanifesto. In it, SaVonne comments on the experience of discovering womanhood by telling the story of her own journey. From the loss of her … Continue reading →

Three Newark Academy students were honored as “Topical Winners” in the Live Poets Society of New Jersey high school poetry contest. “What the Stars Hold” by Young Se Choi 18, “Family Affairs” by Abdul-Nafea Syed ’17 and “Hold Her Hand” … Continue reading →

“Donalbain and The Irish Limbo,” a one-act play by Emma Hoffman ’16 will be published in Canvas Literary Journal  in July 2015. Emma wrote and revised the play in her Creative Writing class. Congratulations, Emma!

On Wednesday, May 27, 2015, Haley Mudrick ’15, Gabrielle Poisson ’17 and Betsy Zaubler ’17 were awarded Governor’s Awards in Arts Education for their creative writing accomplishments. Haley was honored for her personal essay, “If I Could Write to Truman … Continue reading →

Elizabeth Merrigan ’16 was awarded Distinguished Honors at the Letters about Literature Contest ceremony on May 19, 2015 at Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton Township, NJ. Three other NA winners, Gioia Basile ’19, Asha Varma ’20,  and Haley Mudrick ’15 … Continue reading →

A personal essay by Young Se Choi ’18,  “Darkness Within,” earned Teen Ink online magazine’s Editor’s Choice Award for Nonfiction. Teen Ink also published another essay by Young Se, “Remembering Concussion.” Congratulations, Young Se!

Betsy Zaubler ’17 won 2nd Place for her short story “Shooting Stars” in Rider University’s 35th Annual national High School Writing Contest. The story will now be considered for publication in Rider University’s literary magazine, Venture. Congratulations, Betsy!

Michael Lee ’15 and Haley Mudrick ’15 were honored at the NJCTE (New Jersey Council of Teachers of English) High School Writing Contest Award Ceremony at Union Catholic High School in Scotch Plains on April 23, 2015. Haley’s Gold Medal … Continue reading →

Elizabeth Merrigan ’16 won the 2015 National Council of Teachers of English Achievement Award for Superior Writing for her personal essay, “The Art of Losing,” and a portfolio of other creative work. She is one of 141 winners selected from … Continue reading →

Four Newark Academy students won Distinguished Honors in the Letters about Literature Contest sponsored by the Library of Congress and the NJ Center for the Book. Letters by Gioia Basile ’19, Asha Varma ’20, Elizabeth Merrigan ’16 and Haley Mudrick … Continue reading →

“Unembellished We” by Mollie Wohlforth ’15 has been accepted for publication in Polyphony H.S., one of the most longstanding and prestigious teen literary presses. Her poem, “Golden Oldie,” was selected as the Poem of the Day and published by Cuckoo … Continue reading →

Haley Mudrick ’15, Gabrielle Poisson ’17 and Betsy Zaubler ’17 will receive Governor’s Awards in Arts Education for their creative writing accomplishments. Haley is being honored for her personal essay, “If I Could Write to Truman Capote,” Gabi for her … Continue reading →

Plays by Gabrielle Poisson ’17 and Betsy Zaubler ’17 are two of four scripts selected as statewide winners in the 32nd annual NJ Playwrights Festival high school contest. Both plays will get a staged reading by professional actors during the Playwrights … Continue reading →

Every year the New Jersey Council of Teachers of English holds a statewide writing contest for high school students. Haley Mudrick ’15 won the Gold Medal for Nonfiction for her essay “If I Could Write to Truman Capote” and Michael … Continue reading →

“Heartbreak,” a villanelle by Kiran Damodaran ’17, “Synesthesia,” by Haley Mudrick ’15 and “Just Another Poem about Writing” by Alicja Madloch ’15 were accepted for publication by The Live Poets Society of New Jersey. The poems by  Kiran and Haley were … Continue reading →

Plays by Joshua Martin ’16,  Gabrielle Poisson ’17 and Betsy Zaubler ’17 are three of 15 scripts to reach the final round of judging in the 32nd NJ Playwrights Festival annual high school contest. Gabi’s play, “Worn Thin,” was written during … Continue reading →

For the first time, this year the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards will host a celebratory reading in a renowned independent NYC bookstore featuring a select group of Northeast Region-at-Large Gold Key award recipients. Daniel Kwiatkowski ’15 has been invited … Continue reading →

“Shadow Friends” by Gabrielle Poisson ’17 and “Carnival Games” by Kiran Damodaran ’17 won 1st and 2nd place respectively in the the Writers’ Slate annual writing contest sponsored by The Writing Conference, Inc. This year’s contest theme was “friendship.” Gabi … Continue reading →

“Lipstick Medals,” a poem written and performed by Mollie Wohlforth ’15 for the Creative Writing Morning Meeting Presentation on January 30, 2015, was accepted for publication by The Live Poets Society of New Jersey. The poem was selected as a … Continue reading →

This year 24 NA students across five grades earned 51 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards in the following categories: critical essay, drawing, flash fiction, journalism, personal essay/memoir, photography, poetry, science fiction/fantasy, scriptwriting and short story. Congratulations to the following students: … Continue reading →

Emma Hoffman’s poem “Cathedrals” was published in the Spring 2015 issue of The Louisville Review, Volume 77.  TLR is an adult, mainstream literary magazine founded in 1976 at the University of Louisville. The text of “Cathedrals” is posted on the Writing, … Continue reading →

The literary magazine Five Quarterly will feature the work of Mollie Wohlforth ’15 on its “Almost 5Q” blog (February 13, 2015). Five Quarterly was c0-founded by English Department faculty member Vanessa Jimenez Gabb and colleague Crissy Van Meter. Ms. Gabb … Continue reading →

The Winter 2015 issue of Canvas Literary Journal will publish three poems by Alicja Madloch ’15, “my vantage point,” “Consider This a Tribute Poem,” and “there happen to be things i’ve observed” and a poem by Mollie Wohlforth ’15, “Snow … Continue reading →

Alyssa McPherson ’13 and Flannery James ’14 performed their poetry at the Geraldine R. Dodge Poetry Festival at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark on October 24, 2014. The reading of NJCTE and National Student Poets took place … Continue reading →

“Consequently,” a poem by Alicja Madloch ’15 was selected for publication in the Fall 2014 issue of The Cuckoo Quarterly: A Literary Magazine by Young Writers, vol. 11. The theme of the issue was “Fired Up.” The magazine currently seeks … Continue reading →

Work by four Newark Academy students was chosen from over 3,000 entries for publication in The Apprentice Writer, Vol 32, a literary magazine of Susquehanna University. The published poems include “Why I Pray on My Knees” by Amani Garvin ’15, … Continue reading →

Former NA Creative Writing student and Minuteman reporter Elizabeth Coscia ’12, is a New York Observer reporter operating out of New York and Washington D.C. with a background in politics and culture. She attends Georgetown University. You can find Elizabeth’s … Continue reading →

Daniel Kwiatkowski’s poem “Expecting Rain” will be published in the Fall 2014 issue of The Louisville Review. TLR is an adult, mainstream literary magazine founded in 1976 at the University of Louisville. Congratulations, Daniel!

Brendan James ’14 and Greta Skagerlind ’14 accepted their Scholastic Gold Medals at Carnegie Hall on Thursday, June 6, 2014. Their work was among 1,700 pieces chosen for Gold and Silver recognition from 255,000 entries nationwide. The ceremony featured many … Continue reading →

“The City,” a poem by Danielle Sidi ’14 was selected for online publication by Poetry.org as part of their “Poet-to-Poet” project in which students write responses to famous poems. Danielle’s poem is a response to Elizabeth Bishop’s  poem, “The Map,” … Continue reading →

Alicja Madloch‘s poems “What Happens When I See You,” and “About Me” have been selected for publication in the forthcoming print and online editions of BRICKrhetoric Literary & Visual Arts Journal, Vol. 15, May 2014.  Her poem “Speech Like Glitter” … Continue reading →

Elizabeth Merrigan ’16 won Honorable Mention for her poem “Posture” in Rider University’s 34th Annual High School Writing Contest. The poem may be published in Rider’s literary magazine, Venture. Almost all of the contest winners were juniors and seniors. Elizabeth … Continue reading →

A poem by Amani Garvin ’15 entitled “Christian in a Masjid” was published on page 2 of  the May/June 2014 issue of Cicada national print magazine. A copy of the magazine is on display in the Hawkes Memorial Library. The … Continue reading →

Daniel Kwiatkowski ’15 won the Teen Ink Nonfiction Contest for his personal essay, “Not Just a Headache.” The essay was published in the April 2014 issue of the national print magazine. Another nonfiction piece, “Stuck,” was published in the May … Continue reading →

The literary magazine Five Quarterly will feature the work of three Newark Academy students on its “Almost 5/Q” blog. Alicja Madloch‘s poem “Speech Like Glitter” will be published on July 25, Mauranda Men‘s poem “Incomprehension” on August 15, and Laurel … Continue reading →

Every year the New Jersey Council of Teachers of English holds a state-wide writing contest for high school students. This year’s prompt was “Disaster.” Junior Haley Mudrick received a Merit Award in the Personal Essay category. You can read an … Continue reading →

Newark Academy junior Claudia Lu won an Honorable Mention in the Letters about Literature Contest sponsored by the Library of Congress and the NJ Center for the Book. Claudia’s letter received one of 29 Level III Honorable Mentions selected from about … Continue reading →

Mollie Wohlforth‘s poem “Dry Feet,” has been selected for publication in the forthcoming print and online editions of BRICKrhetoric Literary & Visual Arts Journal, Vol. 15, May 2014. You can read the poem in the display case outside the English … Continue reading →

The English Department is now accepting applications for the 2014 -15 Creative Writing Workshop. If you would like to be considered, please send one sample of your creative work (a poem, story, script or personal essay) to Mr. Scerra at … Continue reading →

Three Newark Academy students were awarded Scholastic National Gold Medals: James Blume ’19 for Flash Fiction (“Are Rabbit Feet Really Lucky?”), Greta Skagerlind ’14 for Design (“Cut & Dry) and Brendan James ’14 for Photography (“Everglades Anhinga“). National recognition is … Continue reading →

Short stories by Zoe Rollenhagen ’14 and Elizabeth Merrigan ’16 won 1st and 2nd place respectively in the the Writer’s Slate annual writing contest sponsored by The Writing Conference, Inc. Their work has been published in the April edition of … Continue reading →

NA had its strongest Scholastic year ever with 29 students across 5 grades earning 64 awards in flash fiction, humor, journalism, personal essay/memoir, poetry, science fiction/fantasy, scriptwriting, and short story, as well as in design, painting, and photography. Congratulations to … Continue reading →

Emma Hoffman‘s short story “Dell’uva,” about grape pickers in 20th century Molise, Italy, is this week’s feature on the 5/Q blog. You can read Emma’s story here. The winter issue of Five Quarterly, c0-founded by English Department faculty member Vanessa … Continue reading →

Three poems by Newark Academy students were published in the March/April issue of Cicada Magazine: “Coming Home?” by Daniel Kwiatkowski, “Closing” by Elizabeth Merrigan and “Love and Cars” by Greta Skagerlind. In addition, Daniel’s poem, “Expecting Rain,” was published in … Continue reading →

BRICKrhetoric Literary & Visual Arts Journal January 2014 issue will publish three pieces by Daniel  Kwiatkowski:  “Not Just a Headache” personal essay, “Expecting Rain” poetry, and a photograph. The December 2013 issue, Vol. 13, features a personal essay by Claudia … Continue reading →

Seven Newark Academy students recently published work in Teen Ink’s online magazine.  Claudia Hyman ’16 published her short story, “Strangers,” and poem “My Brother,” Daniel Kwiatkowski ’15 published his short story “Faith Matters,” personal essay “Not Just a Headache” (both … Continue reading →

Sami Kennedy ’11, a current junior at Hendrix College in Arkansas, had her essay “The Other Side of the Scope” published by the Huffington Post’s “Impact” blog. The essay was originally written for the Starlight Children’s Foundation. Sami describes herself … Continue reading →

Five Newark Academy students will have their work published in the Fall 2013 issue of Rider University’s annual literary magazine, Venture. In the university’s 33rd Annual High School Writing Contest, Flannery James ’14 won 1st Place in Poetry & Nonfiction, … Continue reading →

Three Newark Academy freshmen, Laura Boyman, Johnny Capobianco, and Olimpia Kane, won Honorable Mention Awards in the Letters about Literature Contest, sponsored by the Library of Congress and the NJ Center for the Book. The letters written by Laura, Johnny … Continue reading →

The Apprentice Writer, Susquehanna University’s annual anthology of distinguished high school work, will publish pieces by four Newark Academy students in their Fall 2013 issue. From about 3,000 submissions received, the editors selected 65 stories, poems and essays for publication, … Continue reading →

One Teen Story Fiction Contest seeks submissions of original, unpublished short stories, 1,500 to 4,000 words, written by teens ages 14-19. The judges are looking for “interesting characters, a unique voice, and of course, a beginning, middle and end.” The … Continue reading →

Congratulations to Dillon denehy                                    Who won the creative writing quiz                                      He answered all the questions correctly                           And this prize is truly his His beauty is unmatched by fashion models                    His neck long like a giraffe                                                    His cheeks are oh so … Continue reading →

On January 24th, members of the Creative Writing Workshop presented poems about one another to the Morning Meeting audience. How closely did you listen? Whoever scores the highest on this quiz will receive a dazzling prize (described below). Please post … Continue reading →