Aquinas Students Honored with Major NYC Award

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ART Praises Group for Educational Use of New York City Archives

The Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York, Inc. (ART), founded in 1979, is a not-for-profit organization representing a diverse group of more than 400 archivists, librarians, and records managers in the New York metropolitan area.

The organization is one of the largest of its kind in the United States, with members representing more than 160 repositories.

On October 13, 2011, at Columbia University, the students of Aquinas Honor Society, at the Immaculate Conception School in Jamaica, were the very first recipients of ART's Award for Educational Use of Archives.

The students were recognized for their dedicated efforts to create enduring and informative learning experiences for diverse communities.

The group was also honored for their critically-acclaimed publications Images of America: Jamaica Estates, published in 2010, Images of America: Jamaica, which was published in 2011. The books were published by Arcadia Publishing.

In an unrelated story, three of the Aquinas students, in conjunction with the Friends of Maple Grove, took part in Maple Grove Cemetery's annual Spirits Alive performance on October 15. The students helped highlight the recent discovery of the Shiloh Church African-American Burial Ground at the renowned cemetery.

The historic church, which was started in 1822, was the first African-American church founded in New York City by Rev. Samuel Cornish and part of the Underground Railroad. The church served as a focal point for many important events of American history -- including the Anti-Slavery Movement and the Civil War period.

Frederick Douglass spoke from the pulpit of the church on numerous occasions, as well as many other famous people from the period.

In the photo below, dressed in period costumes, are Gabrielle Hollant, portraying a member of the church describing its rich history, Tobi Ayeni as Rev. Samuel Cornish, and Aniyah Smith as another member of the parish.

Photos courtesy of Carl Ballenas.

'Spirits Alive!' 2011 at Maple Grove Cemetery

Volunteer actors Tim Dowd and Leanne Mercadante portraying the legendary 19th century Shakespearean actor Count Johannes and his devoted protégé and pupil Lydia Avonia Fairbanks at Spirits Alive, 2010. Count Johannes is buried at Maple Grove Cemetery.

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An Educational and Exciting Pre-Halloween Event for the Entire Family

Queens, NY - Spirits Alive!, a unique and self-guided walking tour at Maple Grove Cemetery, will be held Saturday, October 15, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The annual event features a cast of over 20 volunteer actors dressed in period costumes, all of whom will portray some of Maple Grove’s most illustrious and historical figures from various walks of life. This year, the event will introduce a number of newly-discovered historical figures, which include:

William Nelson, a World War I soldier who fought at the Battle of the Argonne Forest in France.

Elma Stebbins, the wife of famed hymnist composer George Stebbins.

Francis Marsh, a young telegraph operator who survived the Great Blizzard of 1888 and the Great Johnstown Flood.

Madame Helen Bakhmeteff, the wife of the Russian Ambassador to the U.S. in 1917, who was witness to the fall of Czar Nicholas and his wife, Alexandra.

Jane Heath, who was a direct descendant of the founder of Rhode Island, Roger Williams.

Elisabeth Japp, whose husband was the engineer who built the subway tunnels under the East River in the early 1900s.

A nurse from Ellis Island Hospital, who will tell the story of a woman in search of the resting place of her uncle who had died at the Ellis Island Hospital at age 4 in 1921 and was missing for decades.

John McKenney, a Civil War soldier who fought with the Massachusetts Heavy Artillery

LaVergne Bronk, whose ancestors where the first European settlers of the Bronx, which still bears their family name.

Alonzo Adams, a sea captain who became king of an island in the Caribbean; and many more.

The most sensational discovery of 2011 -- at the cemetery -- was the African-American burial ground of the historic Shiloh First Presbyterian Church, whose interred members were removed from the vaults of their church and brought to Maple Grove in 1877.

The vibrant church was on the Underground Railroad and had a huge impact on the anti- slavery movement for decades. Many of the most influential figures during the Civil War period spoke at the church, including Frederick Douglass. Actors will appear as members of the congregation and convey the poignant and powerful story of this landmark.

"Without question, this will be one of the highlights of Spirits Alive this year," said Carl Ballenas, a Maple Grove Cemetery historian and member of the Friends of Maple Grove committee.

Visitors will receive easy-to-follow maps and programs. The ticket cost is $5 for adults, but Friends of Maple Grove Cemetery members and children under 12 are free.

Spirits Alive 2011 is the highlight event at Maple Grove during the Open House NY Weekend. On Sunday, October 16, two walking tours will be conducted at Maple Grove by historian Carl Ballenas at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. The starting point will be the old entrance at 83-15 Kew Gardens Road (off Lefferts Boulevard), in Kew Gardens.

Call (718) 523-1876, or send email to cetus@mindspring.com, for Sunday walking tour reservations.

Photo courtesy of Carl Ballenas.

'Spirits Alive!' 2011 at Maple Grove Cemetery

Volunteer actors Tim Dowd and Leanne Mercadante portraying the legendary 19th century Shakespearean actor Count Johannes and his devoted protégé and pupil Lydia Avonia Fairbanks at Spirits Alive, 2010. Count Johannes is buried at Maple Grove Cemetery.

(Click to enlarge image.)

An Educational and Exciting Pre-Halloween Event for the Entire Family

Queens, NY - Spirits Alive!, a unique and self-guided walking tour at Maple Grove Cemetery, will be held Saturday, October 15, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The annual event features a cast of over 20 volunteer actors dressed in period costumes, all of whom will portray some of Maple Grove’s most illustrious and historical figures from various walks of life. This year, the event will introduce a number of newly-discovered historical figures, which include:

William Nelson, a World War I soldier who fought at the Battle of the Argonne Forest in France.

Elma Stebbins, the wife of famed hymnist composer George Stebbins.

Francis Marsh, a young telegraph operator who survived the Great Blizzard of 1888 and the Great Johnstown Flood.

Madame Helen Bakhmeteff, the wife of the Russian Ambassador to the U.S. in 1917, who was witness to the fall of Czar Nicholas and his wife, Alexandra.

Jane Heath, who was a direct descendant of the founder of Rhode Island, Roger Williams.

Elisabeth Japp, whose husband was the engineer who built the subway tunnels under the East River in the early 1900s.

A nurse from Ellis Island Hospital, who will tell the story of a woman in search of the resting place of her uncle who had died at the Ellis Island Hospital at age 4 in 1921 and was missing for decades.

John McKenney, a Civil War soldier who fought with the Massachusetts Heavy Artillery

LaVergne Bronk, whose ancestors where the first European settlers of the Bronx, which still bears their family name.

Alonzo Adams, a sea captain who became king of an island in the Caribbean; and many more.

The most sensational discovery of 2011 -- at the cemetery -- was the African-American burial ground of the historic Shiloh First Presbyterian Church, whose interred members were removed from the vaults of their church and brought to Maple Grove in 1877.

The vibrant church was on the Underground Railroad and had a huge impact on the anti- slavery movement for decades. Many of the most influential figures during the Civil War period spoke at the church, including Frederick Douglass. Actors will appear as members of the congregation and convey the poignant and powerful story of this landmark.

"Without question, this will be one of the highlights of Spirits Alive this year," said Carl Ballenas, a Maple Grove Cemetery historian and member of the Friends of Maple Grove committee.

Visitors will receive easy-to-follow maps and programs. The ticket cost is $5 for adults, but Friends of Maple Grove Cemetery members and children under 12 are free.

Spirits Alive 2011 is the highlight event at Maple Grove during the Open House NY Weekend. On Sunday, October 16, two walking tours will be conducted at Maple Grove by historian Carl Ballenas at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. The starting point will be the old entrance at 83-15 Kew Gardens Road (off Lefferts Boulevard), in Kew Gardens.

Call (718) 523-1876, or send email to cetus@mindspring.com, for Sunday walking tour reservations.

Photo courtesy of Carl Ballenas.

Queens Honor Students Pay Tribute to 9/11 Victims

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Stained Glass Memorial Window Conveys Peace, Hope and Remembrance

JAMAICA, NY - In 2009, the students of the Aquinas Honor Society of the Immaculate Conception School, in Jamaica Estates, designed and created a stained glass memorial window that now hangs over the schoolyard entrance.

The work, entitled the Peace and Hope Memorial, was created with artist Ernesto Mendoza and family to honor the families and victims of the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center.

The Aquinas Honor Society is composed of academically-gifted students from grades six through eight. The students received a grant from the Alive in Hope Foundation to create the piece.

Breaking down the colors and symbols

In the left corner of the window, brilliant colors of red, yellow and orange glass with jagged shapes were used to represent chaos, sin, despair and economic woes. A rosary representing the power of prayer draws viewers into a field of blues and greens, with a more composed pattern. The calmer shades of blue are the colors of the Blessed Mother Mary. The green color refers to the season of Spring, and a rebirth of hope. The image of the Holy Spirit, in the shape of a dove, holds an olive branch in its mouth.

Through the assistance of the Fire Department of the City of New York, three pieces of steel from the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center were used to form the leaves. Carved in low relief are images of the school logo - ICS, the Passionist shield of the priests of the parish and the words PEACE and HOPE. The letter H was made to resemble the image of the Twin Towers. They were created by Gray Glass of Queens Village.

The words Sisters of Saint Joseph, founders of the Immaculate Conception School, was engraved on the window. Also engraved were these names: Emerita “Emy” De La Pena, Firefighter Carl Bedigian, Hector Tamayo, Frederick Varacchi and Deputy Chief Orio Palmer, Battalion 7. All were taken on 9/11 and have a connection to the Immaculate Conception Parish and the Aquinas Honor Society. To honor all who perished and fought to save lives on that fateful day, the students have engraved the phrase ALL ARE REMEMBERED onto the window.

The window has been completed with Artist in Residence Ernesto Mendoza and his family who guided and trained the students in the art of Stained Glass making.

To mark the 10th anniversary of 9/11, the students raised funds to place a bronze plaque next to the Memorial Window so that its meaning would not be lost over time. They composed the text for the plaque and will unveil the plaque -- as well as have it blessed at a prayer service -- on Friday morning, September 9, with all students from the school at 8:10 a.m.

The text inscribed on the plaque reads as follows:

The Peace and Hope Memorial

In 2009 The Aquinas Honor Society won a grant to create a unique stained glass window for their school Guided by Artist Ernesto Mendoza and family, the students created the symbolic design and called it the “Peace and Hope Memorial.”

The design depicts prayer in the form of the rosary. In the left corner sharp, jagged red and orange pieces of glass depict the problems of humankind: greed, fear, poverty and hunger. Moving right a softer pattern emerges depicting the power of prayer. The colors turn to various tones of blues and greens representing hope and rebirth. The cross displays the emblem of the Passionist Congregation. The dove, representing peace, holds an olive branch, whose three leaves are made from pieces of steel from the World Trade Center Twin Towers given to the students by the New York City Fire Department. The students names are hidden in the design. The names of a few of those lost on 9/11 and connected to the Aquinas Society, appear in the design. Finally to honor all those lost, “All are remembered” is engraved on the right. It was dedicated and blessed in April of 2009.

The Aquinas Honor Society

Immaculate Conception School, Jamaica Estates, NY

September 11, 2011

Photos courtesy of Carl Ballenas, Aquinas Society Moderator - (718) 523-1876.

Aquinas Honor Society Students Hold Book Signing in Queens

Pictured from left to right are Kimberly Ramcharitar, Cassidy Alie and Lia Lewis. The Aquinas Honor Society students were on hand for the "Images of America: Jamaica" book signing and to provide attendees with some background on the Jamaica, Queens, area.

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Young Historians Have C0-Authored Two Acclaimed Publications on Queens Areas

Jamaica, N.Y. - The exceptional and gifted young people featured in the first installment of From The G-Man's "Leaders of Tomorrow" series, the students of the Aquinas Society at the Immaculate Conception School, held a book signing on August 7 at the famed King Manor in Jamaica, New York.

The group co-authored and published two books with renowned historian and Aquinas Honor Society moderator Carl Ballenas in 2010 and 2011: "Images of America: Jamaica Estates" and "Images of America: Jamaica". The recent book signing was for the latter publication. Both books were published by Arcadia Publishing and provide a historical perspective of the Jamaica area dating as far back as the colonial period.

"Working with the students has been a fulfilling and rewarding experience," said Ballenas.

"They put in a great deal of time and effort gathering information from the archives and researching on the Internet. Google has definitely become their best friend," joked the moderator.

"These kids are amazing. I couldn't be any prouder of them, and I look forward to publishing more books with them in the future."

Ballenas also noted that he and the students hope many Queens-based schools will someday use their publications in classrooms to teach other students about Jamaica's extensive and rich history.

The Aquinas Honor Society students, who range from 11 to 15-years-of-age, also erected an historic plaque in Jamaica Estates and wrote the text. On October 13, they will receive an award from the Archivist Round-Table of New York City - for educational use of archives in the city of New York.

Here are just some of the facts that were uncovered by the students and published in "Images of America: Jamaica".

There were six movie palaces in Jamaica. The Jamaica opened in 1913, The Rialto, which became the Savoy, opened in 1918, The Merrick opened in 1921, The Hillside in 1926, The Alden in 1928 and the Valencia in 1929.

Inside the pedestal of the Civil War Monument in Jamaica, there is a box with the names of all soldiers, white and black, who fought in the Civil War.

The first Jamaica fire department had 13 volunteers and started in 1797.

Jamaica Avenue was originally an Indian trail used for the trading of skins and furs for wampum…In 1790 George Washington wrote in his diary, “Jamaica Road is more sandy and appears to have less strength, but still good and productive.”

Jamaica Hospital started out as a temporary hospital. The first fund raiser for the hospital was held in 1883 and raised $179.40.

Idlewild was once a community and golf course created near Jamaica Bay in the 1920s. In 1946 and 1947, the City of New York claimed eminent domain and moved the people from their homes. Today that area is known as John F. Kennedy International Airport.

Rufus King purchased his Jamaica house in 1806. He helped draft and signed the Constitution, was ambassador to England and spoke out against slavery decades before the Civil War.

The community of Cambria Heights, Jamaica, was established in 1923 and named for the Cambria Title Savings and Trust Company that financed the development.

The first King Kullen supermarket opened on Jamaica Avenue on August 4, 1930, and the Smithsonian Institute recognizes King Kullen as America’s first supermarket.

"Images of America: Jamaica Estates" and "Images of America: Jamaica" are available on Amazon.com via the following links:

http://www.amazon.com/Jamaica-Estates-America-Arcadia-Publishing/dp/0738572551

http://www.amazon.com/Jamaica-Images-America-Carl-Ballenas/dp/0738574260

"Leaders of Tomorrow": The Students of the Aquinas Society at the Immaculate Conception School

The Aquinas students conduct a prayer session at the Shiloh Church Monument at Maple Grove Cemetery. From left to right: Cassidy Alie, Nandita Mathura, Gabrielle Hollant, Neela Dookhie, Brianna Boykin, Bri'Elle Price, Carl Ballenas, Allyssa Balkarran, Lia Lewis, Alex Samaroo, Tricia Ramgadoo, Gregory Hollant, Aniyah Smith, Guillaume Hollant, Serena Govindeisami, Valerie Bresier, Kimberly Ramcharitar, Dominique Gay, Varun Arjoonsingh and Dominque Leone. (Click to enlarge.)

Group's Remarkable and Unprecedented Contributions to America Ignored by Major Media

The mainstream media has a long and unfortunate history of showcasing young people, particularly people of color, in a very negative light. All too often, news directors, producers and managing editors -- in broadcast and print news -- forsake the powerful human interest stories within Black and Latino communities for various reasons.

Av Westin, former executive producer for the "ABC Evening News", in addition to being former vice president and director of television documentaries and vice president for program development, summed it up best in his critically-acclaimed book "Best Practices for Television Journalists".

"It's safe to say that in almost all newsrooms, blatant bigotry and intolerance do not exist. What does exist, however, are preconceived notions about race and ethnicity that can shape story selection and content," said Westin.

"The conventional wisdom among many assignment editors is that white viewers will tune out if Blacks or Latinos are featured in segments. That view can influence the choice of the person who will provide the 'expert' sound bite," noted Westin.

There is no question that a lack of racial sensitivity affects news judgment. It is a problem that goes to the heart of fair and balanced presentation of the news on television," concluded the four-time Peabody Award recipient.

In effort to end this alarming and disturbing trend, From The G-Man is proud to announce the launch of a new feature segment called "Leaders of Tomorrow". While the feature will showcase young people from across the country that are making a tremendous difference in their communities and abroad, emphasis will be placed on those of color to combat the negative stereotypes often associated with them.

The exceptional and gifted young people highlighted in this first installment of the series, the students of the Aquinas Society at the Immaculate Conception School, clearly illustrate the fact that many young people from minority communities in New York City -- and across the United States -- are not lazy, uneducated, unproductive, gang-banging, criminal-minded, flash mob kids destined for a jail cell.

On the contrary, they are actively engaged in not only bettering themselves and their communities, but the world. America, and all those in neighboring countries, From The G-Man proudly presents the Aquinas Society at the Immaculate Conception School.

The Aquinas Logo - Saint Thomas Aquinas, Patron Saint of Education

Over the last six years, the Aquinas Society at the Immaculate Conception School, located in Jamaica, New York, has received local, national and international praise for numerous projects they've undertaken.

The group has authored and published two books, in 2010 and 2011, "Images of America: Jamaica Estates" and "Images of America: Jamaica". The books were published by Arcadia Publishing and provide a historical perspective of the Jamaica area dating as far back as the colonial period.

The group has won over $30,000 in grants and created projects that have touched many lives. For example, the students designed and created a stained-glass window as a memorial for 9/11 and its victims. With their amazing ingenuity, they incorporated pieces of steel from the Twin Towers in an olive branch design showcased in the breathtaking work.

The Aquinas students, who range from 11 to 15-years-of-age, also erected an historic plaque in Jamaica Estates and wrote the text. They erected a second plaque near the Utopia Parkway, in Queens, which explained how a glacial pond that was drained after 10,000 years eventually became the Grand Central Parkway. Last year, the students replaced the lost bronze bust of Jacob Riis for Riis Park and its directors.

According to Carl Ballenas, moderator for the Aquinas school, "The bust was presented as a gift to the people of America from the students, as Jacob Riis Park is a national park.

Currently, "The Young Historians", are working on a mock trial to teach people of all ages about the demise of segregated schools in New York state. The trial will place great emphasis on the Cisco family, who, in 1895, refused to send their children to the inferior colored school of Jamaica.

The youngsters have worked with many organizations, like the Richmond Hill Historical Society and the Friends of Maple Grove Cemetery in Kew Gardens. Moreover, they perform as actors at Maple Grove's annual "Spirits Alive" event, where they don period costumes and impersonate many of the famous people buried there.

In what can only be described as an unprecedented find for the state of New York and the country, the Aquinas students located the African-American burial ground of the famed First Colored Shiloh Presbyterian Church at Maple Grove Cemetery.

Students pictured with Bonnie Dixon - Executive Vice President Maple/General Manager Grove Cemetery (left) and Co- Architect of the African American Burial Ground - Nicole Hollant Denis.

Furthermore, the students have meticulously documented all information about the church, which was obtained through painstaking Internet research, and they are now attempting to locate the names of 308 members of the First Colored Shiloh Presbyterian Church.

The students will take part in a book signing at King Manor, at Kings Park on Jamaica Avenue, on August 7. The signing will run from 3pm to 4:30 pm. On October 13, they will receive an award from the Archivist Round-table of New York City - for educational use of archives in New York City.

The students of the Aquinas Society at the Immaculate Conception School, without question, America's leaders of tomorrow.

Visit the following links to learn more about the Aquinas students and their phenomenal list of accomplishments.

http://www.nps.gov/gate/riis-bust-unveiling.htm

http://icsalumni.org/blog/aquinas-honor-society

http://www.qchron.com/news/eastern/article_a6d0bae8-1104-5d1b-947a-0ab099a08240.html

Photos and image courtesy of Carl Ballenas