Newark Academy formally opened the 2026-27 school year on Thursday, September 3, with its annual Convocation exercises.

Alumna Halle Abraham ’15 delivered a thoughtful keynote address and reflected on her journey as a child of Eritrean refugees who took a leap of faith by applying to Newark Academy despite financial constraints. Ultimately, Halle was chosen to be a Malone Scholar at NA — forever changing the course of her life. “Someone had decided I was worth betting on before I had the credentials to prove it,” she said. Halle now holds credentials many aspire to — she is a multidisciplinary strategist and entrepreneur who works at the intersection of capital and impact, the co-founder of Flatiron Foundry and co-author of Fundraising for Impact.

“The question is not whether you have what it takes — because I know you all do — it’s whether you’re willing to think through complex solutions, offer solutions and help people along the way,” she said. “Are you willing to show your work, including the uncertainty, the effort, the parts that aren’t really resolved yet, and the process of trying?”

In Halle’s book, Fundraising for Impact, she explores how individuals and organizations can use strategy storytelling and relationship to inspire others to invest in ideas that matter. “This makes her return to Newark Academy today especially fitting as we will very soon be publicly launching the Ad Lumen campaign, a $30 million campaign,” announced President of the Board of Governors Rebecca Moll Freed ’94 when introducing Halle.

Head of School Tom Ashburn charged the students to be all in this year and take a chance on something they might otherwise pass by.

“Don’t become so focused on what’s next that you miss what’s happening right now,” he said. “Because some of the best moments of your life won’t produce anything except a memory. And you have to be present to make one.”

Upper School Council President Ani Rajesekar ’27 also addressed his peers and explained that growth is not always about improving as a person. “Growth can also be realizing that it’s OK to be imperfect,” he said. “It’s OK to fall short of your goal sometimes … What matters is that you push through, you learn and you grow. That’s something more valuable than any grade.”

Long-serving faculty and staff were also recognized with milestone awards as a part of the festivities:

45 Years
Pegeen Galvin

35 Years
Sam Goldfischer

30 Years
Sandy Marano

25 Years
Betsy LaPadula
Kerry Winiarski

20 Years
Sarah Guelich

15 Years
Sarah Fischer
Segundo Quintos
Rachael Reeves
Rob Rezvani
Jennifer Rusek

10 Years
Jack Bender
Bella Galvez
Andrea Lankin
Anita McKenna-Murphy
Jessica Rice
Samad Siddiqui

5 Years
Stacey Clark
Tessa Ferentinos
Henry Fuentes
Matt Grimaldi
Charles Grossen
Julie Kayzerman
Rose McSween
Julie Miao
Sky Monroe
Haifa Nouaime
Inma Serrano
Nina Shirey