The Egalitarian

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More people eat in the Union City High School cafeteria period six than lived in the Ohio town where Mr. Ryan Lewis grew up. It may seem improbable that a person from such a small rural town can make the transition to a huge inner city school, but where the school shows diversity teaching AP Biology to JP Zenger, Mr. Lewis shows dexterity. In the span of a few minutes he can cite how technology can mine data to make informed decisions for curricula and then be laughing about Zombie Apocalypse scenarios and suggesting maybe someday he will be playing in the World Series of Poker. On his journey from rows of corn to corn rows, Mr. Lewis took the scenic route; some of the other jobs he had included bailing hay, working in a steel mill and flipping flap jacks as a short order cook. He studied history at Ohio State University before taking a job as a classroom technology teacher. To this day he feels he misses the classroom “because there’s a special relationship between a teacher and his or her students.” As a matter of fact Mr. Lewis envisions returning to the classroom someday.

“Life Is A Competition For Which Students

Must Be Prepared To Win.”

Mr. Lewis chose to pursue a career in education because of his high school teachers. He really wanted to have a positive impact

in students’ lives. Presently he realizes as principal he can affect more students, parents and the entire community. “I love this job because as cliché as it sounds it’s great seeing the kids smile. It’s very gratifying to see them grow from when they enter the school as freshmen and become young men and women. I’m so proud and overjoyed to see students come back and hear them share their experiences. For instance, Douglas Villalta, whom I’ve known since he was in fifth grade, has the highest GPA in Brown University’s Program in Liberal Medical Education. This proves that any kid from within these four walls can aspire to accomplish anything. Kids can find their niche in fine and performing arts, sports or in clubs. As principal, I communicate with the students early and often and all of us, administrators and faculty, reach out to the parents to let them know the script for success. “Life is a competition for which students must be prepared to win,” he continued. If that sounds more like a coach than a principal, that’s because Mr. Lewis had the honor of being the first wrestling coach for UCHS. A principal who was a coach is a benefit to the school since athletics play a large part of the school culture. When asked what is the most difficult part of being the principal of Union City High School, he had this to say, “The day to day demands are much different as I am up and out overseeing the entire building and the AEA.” However he is quick to point out that “It is an honor and a pleasure to work with the best teachers, counselors and social workers out

there.” Even though the school was excelling academically when he took over, Mr. Lewis believes there are areas on which he needs to work. He said, “Course work is designed to push our students through rigorous college prep courses. All teaching is directed this way on a case-to-case basis. As a progressive thinker I believe education is always evolving and so should teaching through technology. As a teacher and as an administrator you can’t stay static.” Tightening up the absence and tardiness policies are also

priorities for Mr. Lewis. If Mr. Lewis did not pursue a career in education, he speculates on becoming a sports broadcaster for ESPN, including calling the play by play for the Buckeyes. For now he is calling the shots for Union City High School and that is fine by him. Mr. Lewis’ number one goal is to ensure every UCHS students has the tools and skill set not only to get into college but thrive there. The one time short order cook and future world-renown poker player has long-range goals that you shouldn’t bet against.

Mr. Lewis Newest PrincipalBy Angelly Mejia and Staff Reports

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Recently a combined 32 students from Mr. Hermes Cabrera’s Honors Art Studio Classes and from Mr. Adriano Garcia’s Art II classes took a field trip to the Metro-politan Museum of Art in New York. To reinforce what the art students are doing in class, the teachers took the aspiring artists to see Sargent: Portraits of Artists and Friends, an exhibition in the American Wing. There they saw more than 90 works including oil paintings, charcoals, pastels and Sargent’s famous watercolor series. Students selected a portrait painting of their choice about which to write a critique. At the exhibition gallery library students had the opportunity to further their research by looking through 1880’s Salon exhibition programs, Sargent’s old sketchbooks and contemporary newspapers. Students where impressed by how large Sargent’s paintings are in real life compared to an art textbook use in class. Mr. Cabrera, who is working toward becoming a curator, led the gallery tour.

The Union City Board of Education did not hire just a new music director, they hired a one-man band. Luckily for the students of Union City High School, Mr. Robert Dubois has the ability to play every instrument in the marching band. “I play trombone and trumpet professionally, but I am capable of playing every band instrument at a high level.” However, Mr. Dubois has a strategy to teach beginners how to play instruments. “Learning to play a musical instrument is like learning a new language. I am competent at playing every instrument in the band, so I do a lot of modeling for the students. We start by ensuring that all students are able to produce great sounds on their instruments. I believe that the students find the activity of band to be fun when they perform at a high level. I hold the students to very high performance standards, and they are able to perform a wide variety of music. When the students have ownership of the music that they are playing, it is fun for them.” Mr. Dubois has been a high school band director for the past ten years, a music teacher for twelve years, and taught in four different schools before coming to UCHS. By comparison he realizes how awesome this high school is. When asked why he chose to came to UCHS to become the band director he immediately replied, “I see an enormous potential. Of

the five schools I’ve worked in as a professional, I’ve never seen facilities as great as the facilities here.” He then said in the previous schools in which he has taught at they were always receiving budget cuts while here at UCHS; we have half a million-dollars worth of instruments and brand new uniforms. “Everything the students need to be successful is here; I’ve never seen a school with resources like this school has.” But in the end, it is the students that make the job worthwhile. “I love coming to work here because of how respectful everyone is. I have never met a group of more respectful students. I love that the students a UCHS are not afraid to work hard. When I set a goal or expectation for them, they always find a way to achieve it.” Already the marching band has tasted success and made an impact on the community. They have won first place in two of the three competitions that they have entered so far. They have also performed at every home and away football game as well as participating in the Hudson County Dominican Day Parade. Mr. Dubois insisted that his goals included increasing membership in the band. He plans to recruit about 100-150 students for the marching band. He said he will

accomplish that goal by building a three-tier program: the beginning level will consist of concert bands, the intermediate level will consist of symphonic band, and the highest level will be an honors wind ensemble. He then will draw people from the three groups to join the marching band. Unlike other marching band directors, Mr. Dubois seems to be living up to his word by not only developing a recruitment plan, but by forming flexible classes for anyone interested in joining the marching band next year or for those in band already. After all, the new band director’s is aware that since UCHS is such a big school with various extra curricular activities to offer, practices are held in the evening hours to accommodate students who participate in the after school programs Mr. Dubois plans to take advantage of all that the music program offers and wants to enhance the performance of the marching band. He feels very honored to work and serve the community as the new band director and is excited to start fulfilling his promises. Mr. Dubois plans to retire from UCHS and is very anxious to keep his promises, as he did in the past. He mentioned that he has spoken to the music teachers at Jose Marti Freshman

Academy, Emerson and Union Hill middle schools, since those teachers are a part of the of the marching band. He plans to invite the freshman and the middle school students to come and experience life as a marching band member. He plans to create a spring instrumental concert involving middle and high school students to ease the transition into the program. Mr. Dubois will also hold a few open house rehearsals in July of 2016 so that any high school student interested in joining the band will get that chance. In the past, Mr. Dubois has stayed in school until 9-9:30 in the evening and comes to work earlier than his scheduled time, in order to be able to get everyone to get their time to practice. He does everything he can to make sure his students give 110%. Students from last year will notice the district hired a dedicated and grateful band director. Judging by his success in the past and his current dedication, band members are confident that Mr. Dubois will fulfill his promises of increasing membership and improving performances.

By Christopher Tejada

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The EgalitarianPublisher Mr. McCoy

Editors:Gloria Gomez Sharon Lazo

Diana Campoverde

On Saturday, October 17th ten members of the Union City High School Key Club joined their advisor Mr. Khaled Dardir and traveled to the Forest Hills Section of Newark to plant trees to beautify the neighborhood.In less than two hours, which included instructions on planting, the group added new dogwoods and cherry blossoms. The New Jersey Tree Foundation provided the saplings. Students loved the experience so much they plan to return next weekend. However planting trees is only a part of what the Key Club plans to ac-complish this year. Already Mr. Dardir has in the works a sock drive to help people in need keep warm during the upcoming winter. Moreover, he and the officers want to make food for the homeless in a shelter in Hoboken. Also some of the club’s 35 members want to volunteer in a Secaucus animal shelter. It’s like the Key Club’s publicist Ashely Rosales says, “Where ever we can we lend a hand.” Photos by Sabrina Mariano.

Key Club Puts Down Roots

Representatives of numerous Union City High School organiza-tions, including the Christian Club, Gamers Club, Mock Trial, the National Honors Society, National Science Honor Society and Science Club walked to raised more than $1400 for Alzheimer’s research in Liberty State Park in Jersey City Saturday, Oct. 17th.

Photo by Cindy Alviar.

Alzheimer’s Walk Liberty State Park, October 17th, 2015

Ms. Kimberly Moreno WinsPrestigious Milken Award.

On October 13th Lowell Milken traveled from California to Union City High School to award Ms. Kimberly Moreno with the Milken Educator Award, which includes a $25,000 prize. The Milken Foundation cited Ms. Moreno’s ability to provide young people with the skills they need to compete in a de-manding global economy. Ms. Moreno is credited with starting a health related program run in conjunction with Rutgers University Medical School. In the first year of the program her students surpassed expectations of the people involved with the university. One of her students registered a perfect score to pass the course which earned students college credits. In front of the entire student body, faculty, dignitaries from all over the state and media outlets, Ms. Moreno was stunned as she received the award. Known as the “Oscars for Teaching,” The Milken Award began in 1982 to rewarding educators who prepare their students for the future. This year, 40 teachers from high performing schools all around the country will also receive this honor.

Photos: Football Mike Ortez. Cross Country Ambar Arevalo, Soccer Ambar Alvalo. Tennis Justin Vasquez.