“Words to Inspire” were the building blocks of Stand & Deliver. Through experiential theatre games, communication activities and leadership lessons, students in the greater Newark area had fun and found their voice.

“I looked forward to each workshop,” explained a 14 year old young man from University High School in Newark. “I could really be myself and be accepted in this classroom. The Words to Inspire theme made me think carefully about how I speak to other people and what has influenced me, my family and my culture.”

Continuing to build self-esteem, confident communication skills, and leading through difficult times, the Stand & Deliver program flourished in 2005. Now able to reach students outside of Newark, the workshops went into the Boys & Girls Clubs of Newark as well as the Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County, which include the Union, Roselle Park and Elizabeth Clubhouses. (The expansion into the Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County was made possible by a generous grant from Bank of America.)

New this year was the partnership with the Newark Public School’s media & video instructor, Tom Wolverton, who led his students in crafting a documentary behind the scenes at The Night of Eloquence held each year at NJPAC. “Performing at the Night of Eloquence was life changing,” confessed a speaker. “I will remember being on stage forever.”

Symposium I

Symposium II

Communication All Star Event
The goal of The Communication All Star was to bring the community of Stand & Deliver together in a fun, festive competition. Students split into varying classrooms with a panel of three judges. Ultimately, speech and drama are performing arts and judging, while done professionally, is subjective. However, technical communication skills like facial expression, a varied rate and pitch, effective hand gestures, etc., all are able to be evaluated to select the top communicators. Students who did not compete were supportive audience members and great listeners! All students who competed at the Communication All Star received a certificate of achievement.

NIGHT OF ELOQUENCE

Breathing out shaky knees, exhaling butterflies in our stomachs, letting go of total terror and embracing extreme excitement were just some of the experiences behind the stage as workshop leaders Jill Wodnick and Wendy Davis used various vocal warm ups, breath work and gentle stretches to prepare the 12 students to speak from their heart at NJPAC in front of a crowd of 500 guests.

Behind the scenes, as students were getting sound checked, the crowd was assembling in the lobby. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Award Winner, Avery Brooks, came back stage to also address to genuine nervousness, excitement and emotions before a performance. “Is anyone here nervous,” he asked? As the students raised their hands cautiously, Avery Brooks beamed a bountiful grin, “Good,” he said in a rich, calming voice. “It means you are alive. Never be afraid to be nervous…it is a reminder that we are human and life is pulsing through us.” And so, the audience was seated, the house lights darkened, and the show began.

Speaking from the heart with words to inspire at NJPAC!

NJ Attorney General Peter Harvey inspires the audience with his reflections on learning public speaking skills as a young child.

Steve Adubato presents the annual MLK Leadership Award to NJ resident Avery Brooks, an accomplished actor, theatre arts professor and illuminating champion of human communication.

Video Clips from the Night of Eloquence Event

Ned Wogwugwu, Senior, Science High School "This is All I Know"- original composition (Click for Video Clip)

Ah-Tavia Maxey, Senior, Central High School "A Lost Child" - original composition (Click for Video Clip)

Tyshawn Bouier, Junior, Barringer High School Excerpt from "Julius Caesar" - William Shakespeare (Click for Video Clip)

Al-nisa Petty, Freshman, Arts High School "This Puzzles Me" - poem by Langston Hughes (Click for Video Clip)