Alumni speak to Linkers about high school

Taylor Jones ’09 and Rafiki Johnson ’09, now seniors at American History High in Newark visited Link today, assisting with recruitment for their high school. They spoke to students during Morning Circle, encouraging students to do their best. They both said they were well prepared at Link for high school, but advised students to “study hard” and take advantage of all the Link has to offer, so that they are ready for high school, as it is “much harder” than middle school.

Taylor has been accepted to Drew University to major in English and education and plans to teach English after graduation. Rafiki is headed to New York University in the fall to study journalism. Both students are recipients of scholarships to attend college. Congratulations to Taylor and Rafiki! Link is proud of you!

Link hopes that more members of Link’s Class of 2009 update us on your progress and your next educational step! Email us now and tell us about your plans!

Class of ’12 earns over $2.2m in scholarships

Link’s most recent graduates have been awarded over $2.2 million in scholarships and financial aid to attend prestigious private day and boarding schools, the second largest amount in the school’s history.

Students received acceptance into, and scholarships to attend, prestigious boarding schools inside and outside of New Jersey including The Groton School, Miss Porter’s School, Northfield Mount Hermon, The Ethel Walker School, The Peddie School, The Masters School, Lawrence Academy, Westover School, and more. Among the day schools within the state which provided scholarships to Link graduates are Morristown – Beard School, St. Benedict’s Prep, St. Peter’s Prep, St. Vincent Academy, Marist High School, Immaculate Conception High School of Montclair, Benedictine Academy, Marylawn of the Oranges, and others.

Link’s Head of School Maria Pilar Paradiso states, “We are proud of our graduates, and extremely pleased that their academic performance has earned them acceptance into many prestigious high schools, both day and boarding. These schools continue to show confidence, year after year, in the education our school provides, and to offer our graduates the financial resources they need to build upon the excellent foundation built at Link. “

Stanley Baxter ’07 inspires Linkers

During Morning Circle today Link alumnus Stanley Baxter spoke to students about his educational journey to date. He emphasized the need for students “to take ownership” of their learning, not to depend on teachers and parents to “do everything for you.” Support from those sources, he said, is important but ultimately it is up to the individual to find the motivation to do well. He exhorted students to “seek out and stay connected with people who think like you and are headed in the same direction …toward success.”

Stanley also mentioned how attending Link – being in a close knit, family like environment was “empowering” for him. He was able to grow in confidence and learned a lot from Link teachers in a comfortable environment.

Stanley just completed his first year – an academically successful one – at Rutgers, Camden where he plans to major in Finance and minor in Economics. Graduating from Link in 2007, Stanley went on to high school at Seton Hall Prep. While at Link, he was introduced to NJLEEP (NJ Law Education Empowerment Program) through an elective class on constitutional law. NJLEEP is an enrichment program offering tutoring, SAT Prep, counseling and college application assistance during his high school years. Stanley credits Link and NJLEEP with providing the inspiration, encouragement and nurture that he needed to help him succeed.

Adedire Fakorede’10: discus champ!

Congratulations to Link alumni Adedire Fakorede! With a huge throw of 14 feet, Adedire, currently a sophomore at The Pingry School, won the Non-Public school, Group A discus title this past weekend.

Adedire’s winning throw was not only his personal best, and the win that helped Pingry achieve its first state group title in several years. Click here to read more at nj.com.

“Linking the Past with the Present”

Fifteen Link alumni from the Classes of ’85 through ’91 joined former Link principal Susan Schessler (Sr. Marie Paul) and former Link teacher Sister Trudy Dunham, O.P. for a reunion on the afternoon of Saturday, April 28th at Link. Alumni had the chance to reconnect, share memories, update each other on the lives, and tour the new school building.
read more