By Bill Gelman and Lindsey Nolen
Standing out through song
After four years at a professional boychoir school touring the United States, France and even South Korea, Isaac Newman joined the Philadelphia Performing Arts: A String Theory Charter School ready to rise to the top in 2014. Three years later, he has done just that as he remains in the top 1 percent of his class of 225 students.
In addition to singing his way through his vocal major at String Theory, this erudite young adult uses his energy and dedication to participate in a number of other extracurriculars. For example, in school he plays soccer and baseball, and outside of school he frequently volunteers for his church’s choral camp, designed for children ages 3 to 12 years old. He has also participated in leadership events intended for upperclassmen, and has landed the leading role of “Link” in the high school’s 2017–2018 musical, “Hairspray!” (This was a return to the stage for him, since being cast as Tiny Tim for a performance of “The Christmas Carol” when he was 5 and 6 years old.)
Enrolled at the University of Pennsylvania’s Young Scholars program, Isaac also uses his time to take college courses either one or two evenings per week. Interested in international business, he has already taken courses in anthropology, communications, international business and law and ethics, as well as college-level Spanish to round out his three years of French taught at the high school level.
While taking collegiate classes undoubtedly demonstrates maturity, Isaac has faced another significant challenge in his youth leading him into an adult mindset.
The youngest of three boys in a single- mother home, his mother is now a two-time breast cancer survivor who taught him through her experiences that, “when the going gets tough, the tough hustle.”
“With his enthusiasm for learning and tackling new challenges, his maturity, grit, tenacity, joy and lust for life and all things multi-cultural, there is no doubt that Isaac will rise to the stars, and beyond,” Susan Thomas, a counselor at the school, said.
Putting others first
Just as “J-Lo” is a stand-out performer, “J-Loo,” better known as Jenny Loo, has stood out as an exemplary student at Francis Scott Key Elementary School.
As a fifth-grade student, she consistently earns the highest grades and honors, and shines as a bright, spirited, creative and hardworking student.
“[She] demonstrates a knack for doing exactly the right thing whenever it is needed,” Michael Halko, a fifth-grade teacher at Francis Scott Key, said.
In addition to being an honor student who achieves straight A’s on her report card every semester, Jenny, who speaks English and Chinese, also has award-winning artwork displayed at the headquarters of The School District of Philadelphia on North Broad Street.
“She was selected by her peers to be one of its class representatives,” Halko added. “She is quick to volunteer for events such as the Lower Moyamensing spring cleanup, yet slow to seek praise for what she does.”
Demonstrating her humbleness and thoughtfulness, this past fall she turned a monetary award for reading excellence into an anonymous pretzel party for her classmates.
“Jenny Loo is, indeed, a rising star,” Halko said. “She receives strong support at home and it shows in the classroom. She is a leader. She is a star.”
Busy bettering herself and others
Ninth-grade Philadelphia Performing Arts: A String Theory Charter School student Moira Gilbert never stops working hard. In the classroom, she maintains a 4.0 GPA, is a member of student council, was nominated for Women In Natural Sciences and was named High School Scholar for Drexel University, where she will be taking classes this summer.
Yet, Moira’s achievements extend far beyond just academics. At Our Lady of Mt.Carmel Church, where she volunteered as an altar server for four years, she also tutored elementary school students from the parish. Additionally, she has collected cans for the homeless during the holiday season, volunteered at St. Casimir’s Church for its yearly handbag basket bingo, as well as on occasion helped clean the church.
Outside of volunteerism, she has danced Irish Step for nine years with the Second Street Irish Society, and has developed a love for softball. Thus, Moira has played for EOM, New Jersey Mystics, and for the last year the Jersey Outlaws Future softball team winning numerous trophies, medals and plaques.
“Moira is a well rounded young lady,” Karen Lemba, Gilbert’s grandmother, said. “Her older brother Keenan has autism and sometimes she goes to his art club Santino’ Dragons to volunteer.”
Lemba added that on the evening of May 5, her granddaughter attended prom with a young boy from the club, and last year she went with Keenan. All-in-all, Moira is dedicated to setting herself up on the right track for success, but never lacks time to help and show kindness and compassion to others.
A well-conducted performance
When talking about Philly’s young, up-and-coming musicians, the name Hannah Silverberg belongs at the top of the list. Why, you ask? The recent Girard Academic Music Program grad was one of 10 students from the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra to be be named to the School District of Philadelphia’s All-City Music Program.
The Center City resident, wh0 plays the flute, won the concerto competition and got to perform at the Kimmel Center’s Verizon Hall. Maestro Louis Scaglione, president and music director of the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra, said Hannah, who served as the flute section leader, has exhibited great growth and maturity in the PYO organization. She was a member of the Philadelphia
Young Artists Orchestra in 2014–15, and would go on to become a member of the most advanced level of musicianship in the PYO. Hannah also studies privately with David Cramer, associate principal flute of the Philadelphia Orchestra.
“She is a dedicated student, and has demonstrated much improvement over the years based on her willingness to dedicate time necessary to perfecting her musical craft,” Scaglione said of Hannah. “We are very proud of her accomplishments.”
To see profiles of An Nguyen, Ava Cima, Lucinda Mileto, Jamin Chen, Camrin Neiss and Alexandra Arrigale click here.
To see profiles of Jared-Sprague Lott, Sasha Flynn, Matthew Gorman, Zymir Brunson and Alyssa Daniels click here.
To see profiles of Abigail Brown, Patrick Cavalieri, Santino Nave, Gianna Wilson, Jahliem Brown and Grace DiMeo click here.
