Newburgh Prep Graduates 10 Before Closing

Jun 27, 2018

Newburgh Prep Grad_3347 — Newburgh Prep graduate, Juliana Marzan was one of ten students to receive a New York State Regent’s Diploma at Wednesday’s Graduation Ceremony, held at Kaplan Hall at SUNY Orange. Also pictured are her mother, Susan and father Jorge Marzan.

By Jennifer L. Warren

NEWBURGH – Timothy Soto just never felt comfortable at Newburgh Free Academy.
It was not a feeling the teenager could cite an exact reason for; however, once he enrolled at Newburgh Prep three years ago, he found exactly what he needed from a school and has excelled ever since.

“Newburgh Prep always felt like family to me, like they had my back no matter what,” said Soto, who graduated with a New York State Regent’s Diploma Wednesday afternoon at Kaplan Hall inside SUNY Orange. “No matter what challenges I had, they always made me feel like I could do better; they just made it so much easier for me to want to go to school.”

Like Soto, his nine Class of 2018 classmates expressed similar feelings of fondness about their Newburgh Prep “home.” Each one carries with him or her a unique story that landed them at the Mid-Hudson region’s first and only charter school. Regardless of the individual challenges that confronted each of these young adults, their motivations to make something of themselves prevailed, and with the support of the small, close-knit, “family,” staff at Newburgh Prep, they will forever carry the distinction of being the school’s first graduating class.

Members of the 2018 Newburgh Prep Class participate in Wednesday’s Graduation Ceremony, held at Kaplan Hall at SUNY Orange. The 10 member Class has the distinction of being the first and only one at the school which is scheduled to close at the conclusion of this school year.

“This was my last resort; my mom knew I was capable of graduating high school, and I listened to her,” said another graduate Janese Free, who provided the “Student Reflections” segment of the Commencement as well as earned several academic awards, including a scholarship to SUNY Orange. “I have so many positive memories from my years here.”

Those memories are likely to be cherished not only by Free and her nine classmates, but all of the other students attending Newburgh Prep, as the school is slated to close at the end of the month. Enrollment, attendance and financial challenges have combined to thwart a renewal of a needed grant for the five year charter school that resides at 471 Broadway in the City of Newburgh.

Despite the pending closure, Wednesday was a time for celebration…one for hardworking, committed students and staff, who refused to cower in the face of any roadblocks as well as a school and a community that rose to the occasion of celebrating diversity in learning styles and goals.

“Today is a milestone, and most milestones are bittersweet,” said Lisa Silverstone, President, Board of Trustees. “It’s bitter since it’s the last one, but it’s also sweet because the impact it made will endure.”

Timothy Soto was one of 10 students to receive a New York State Regent’s Diploma at the Newburgh Prep Graduation Ceremony Wednesday at Kaplan Hall at SUNY Orange. Soto, who will continue his education at SUNY Orange, is pictured with his mother, Luz Soto.

Silverstone added, “It is our hope we have encouraged the Newburgh School District to meet the needs and believe in the diverse population of its students.”

Testimony to that encouragement as well as much more could be spotted all over the front stage. Ten smiling happy, and proud students were displaying poise and confidence as they claimed an assortment of academic accolades. Many of the Class of 2018 will be going on to attend college, while some will enter the workforce.

Regardless of their plans, the imprint of Newburgh Prep is likely to remain with them for many years to come.

Keynote Speaker, Newburgh Charter School’s Athletic Director, Eric Meyer, reminded graduates that the day called for celebration, something they might refer to as “getting lit.” However, Meyer introduced them to a new perspective on how to view the three letter word “lit.” Pointing out the acronym of “L” for love and with it gratitude and paying it forward, “I” standing for investment-in all realms of themselves and “T” symbolizing trying,” Meyer ended his talk with a similar mantra embedded in the School’s mission.

“You are here today because you tried,” affirmed Meyer. “When you do fail in life, and we all will at some time or another; make sure to always get up and keep on moving forward.”

Also echoing similar sentiments was another speaker, Orlando Rodriguez, a security guard as well as finance teacher at Newburgh Prep. “Do not allow your situation to tell you that you cannot achieve your dreams; they are yours and can shape your future.” Rodriguez then ended with a quote by the legendary Nelson Mandela. “A winner is a dreamer who never gives up.”

In addition to Soto and Free, other 2018 Newburgh Charter School graduates included; Amy Benitez, Eh’Dafi Hughes, Jeremiah Jones, Randy Rodriguez, Bianca A. Suarez, Daniel Wright, Juliana Marzan, and Aidan O’Brien.