2014 Peer Mentor Program

Join us celebrating our 2014 Peer Mentors who, since October, committed two lunch periods per week to mentoring 9th and 10th grade students in the iDesign, Sisterhood & ESI programs. 

Mentors spent one lunch period per week in a mentor role, co-leading activities on identity, college readiness, and relationships with underclassmen and counseling staff.  Fridays were dedicated to "Mentor Meet-Ups" where they received leadership training and reflected on their group process. 

2014 Mentors: Arleen, Kailamarie, Jamilex, Andre, Israel, Danielle, Elaina, Angelique, Zayra, Zulfiya, Christian, and Carlos

Celine Gil, Adobe Youth Voices Scholarship Winner!

New Design High School 12th grader, Celine Gil was awarded an Adobe Youth Voices Scholarship! Out of 118 applications from around the world, Celine is one of 25 talented students chosen based on her academic achievement, artistic portfolio and participation in Urban Arts Partnership's Adobe Youth Voices program.

The scholarship will cover all of Celine's post-secondary costs to SUNY Purchase College where she will be pursuing a BFA in Photography this fall.

The Adobe Youth Voices Scholarship program was established in 2012 to unlock the creative potential of students in the Adobe Youth Voices program and support them as they continue their education, pursue creative careers and find innovative ways to improve their communities.

Check out Celine's photography portfolio from the NYC SALT program here.

March Madness at New Design High

As the end of the school year approaches, students are meeting current challenges while looking forward to future ones. Seniors are receiving college acceptance letters and are looking forward to ending high school on the best terms, while creating their last memories with their class. Juniors are excited to become seniors in the fall. They are attending office hours as much as possible to receive extra help after school - hoping to improve both their grades and their skills. The sophomore and freshmen class are already beginning their college seeking journey. In April they are going on a trip upstate to Bard for early college awareness.

Check out some of the things going on in some of our Design classes. Students in Julie's advanced design class are creating clothing pieces using their unique drawing style:

Dave's industrial design class just finished creating lamps out of unusual materials and are now writing their project reflections.

In Ben's class, students are creating food sculptures and are later going to write about healthy eating habits.

ESI Gentlemen's Group

New Design staff members and students work together to create a better academic and social environment. One of the innovative ways in which they do this is through the Gentlemen's or "Gents" group, sponsored by the Expanded Success Initiative (ESI). Founders of the group say the main idea behind the Gents group is to build community between young men of color through shared experiences. The gents build character and increase their self esteem by attending meetings, participating in workouts and going on group trips. The Gents meet every Wednesday after school and even have their own dress code to symbolize their place in the student body. Once a week the Gents wear ties to symbolize their membership in the group and to demonstrate their professionalism. Take a look at this video to learn more about the program.  The function of the group is to build community through shared experiences as young men of color, build character, and increase self-esteem. 

Sisterhood and Idesign Camp Ramapo trip

On November 8th little sisters, big sisters and idesign students packed their bags and got ready to go take a hike, make smores and hang out around the camp fire. The camping trip was intended to allow students participating in the idesign program to build relationships and spend quality time together. It went just as planned. Younger students came out of their shells and got to know their mentors better – sharing both laughter and memories.  On their way back from Camp Ramapo, students made a stop at SUNY Binghamton and were taken on a tour lead by all kinds SUNY students: From freshmen through seniors, fraternities and honors students. The idea was to show all sisters and idesign mentors and mentees the true college life and give them a day in the life of a college student. Thanks to the help and support of donors from all around the globe, our trip was a great success.

Cabin at Camp Ramapo 

Moments of laughter 

iDesign Males Mentors and Mentees  

All participating Big and Little Sisters group picture 

Bingmanton Students talking to Ndhs about their experience getting into college and living on campus  

After working together to accomplish a trust game

Big sister and Little sister

Meeting Camp Ramapo staff

Students helping their Sister Hood founders and leaders Sarah Gluck  and Arihana  Allensworth 

Getting ready to help each other climb to the top and conquer their fears in height and trusting others big and little sister