Sunaya Mueller ’22 has been a journalist for more than six years. Beginning as a member of the Scholastic News Kids Press Corps. in middle school, Sunaya found her beat as a writer. She found, a passion for telling untold stories from teens and upcoming changemakers. Journalism became a means to build her confidence and unique voice. Her most recent article in Teen Vogue, “What Long COVID Looks Like in Teens and Young Adults” spotlighted the long term effects of COVID from national experts and affected teens. Before her debut in Teen Vogue, Sunaya wrote for Ms. Magazine, The Terrier, The 74, & Mid Hudson News. She credits her journey to her editors and is inspired by the peers she’s been able to meet through journalism. Most recently, she was awarded as the Grand Prize Winner of The Boston’s Globe Young Reporter’s Competition In Partnership with Apple TV+ in June 2021.
“I think there is actually the strength to be way younger than anyone else in this field. I feel like in this era of fake news to be pursuit of truth is becoming less common. In journalism, that’s what’s supposed to happen. You are in the pursuit of truth. I’m really happy that I get to do this because there’s not many other jobs where you get to propel other voices forward or other information to the forefront, especially as a teenager fighting for other teenagers. Having that focus in mind is the most important to me because we are the future, and we are the now.”
Amplifying the Power of the Arts: A Conversation with Adam Slee, Dean of the Performing Arts
Adam Slee, D-E’s new Dean of the Performing Arts, joined the School earlier this year. He brings with him more than 16 years of experience in teaching arts education and being a leader in theater pedagogy. He’s already making his mark on D-E Performing Arts, which...
The D-E Community Honors Black History Month
February is Black History Month, and D-E celebrated with a series of events—from Upper School (US) Assembly performances—to a BHM Exhibit in Hajjar Auditorium for Lower School and Middle School (LS/MS) students. The exhibit featured 15 different sections that highlighted Black contributions in the arts, entrepreneurship, architecture, and more. In the Lower School, students participated in activities including drawing their favorite Black heroes throughout history. In addition, during the MS Assembly this morning, students listened intently to portions of “A Ballerina’s Tale,” a documentary on Misty Copeland’s historic achievement as the first Black principal dancer of a major ballet company. “We celebrate all the people who worked incredibly hard to achieve success when the odds are against them,” explained DEIB Assistant Director Simone Henry Agblonon. “The takeaway is to get to know people as individuals.” Fourth grader Camryn T. ’33, who attentively walked around the LS/MS exhibit, said she loved seeing the poster boards featuring Black people represented in so many different categories. She exclaimed, “Black people can change the world!”
VDay 2025 Highlights
VDay at D-E Inspires Women and Allies to ‘Rise’ VDay is an annual tradition and fundraiser at D-E, based on a national global movement that aims to end violence against women and girls. This year’s event, held in Hajjar Auditorium last week, featured spoken-word...
Mean Girls – The US Musical; Reserve Tickets Today!
It's almost here! D-E Performing Arts' premiere of the Upper School production of “Mean Girls: High School Version” is tomorrow, Thursday, Feb. 27! There will be four performances (two per cast), with "Cast Fetch" on stage on...
Grade 10 Honors English Classes Compare Notes on Toni Morrison’s Song of Solomon
D-E’s Grade 10 Honors English classes gathered in Hajjar Auditorium to analyze Toni Morrison’s Song of Solomon, a coming-of-age novel about a Black man that blends elements of fantasy and reality. The activity was led by Grade 10 Dean Stephanie “Tuc” Tucker, English...
Critical Mass US Robotics Team Now Headed to State
On Sunday, our Upper School (US) Robotics Teams, Critical Mass (Varsity) and Absolute Zero (JV), competed in the Bergen County League Tournament in Emerson, NJ. According to US Robotics Coach Chris Fleischl, in qualification matches, Critical Mass held a record of 4-1...
D-E Students Exemplify ‘Innovation in Action’ During the Engineering Challenge
Last week, the Upper School’s 3D-Engineering (3D-E) Club and the Imperatore Library co-hosted the annual Science Buddies Engineering Challenge at D-E in recognition of National Engineers Week. US/MS students participated in the project, which consisted of building a landing pad for a paper rocket, meant to emulate the design of a “rocket catcher” in the real world. Jackson Chang ’25, a 3D-E student leader, said this project “gives people–in a kid-friendly way–the opportunity to dabble in engineering design.”
Innovation Coordinator Colleen Larionoff, who facilitated the challenge for the MS students, remarked that these activities are a great example of “innovation in action” because they aren’t tied to a class, and this gives students more freedom to explore and make mistakes. Seventh grader Ken Escobar ’30, said he participated in the challenge because “I feel like it’s an opportunity for collaboration… and now that I’m immersed in it, it seems fun.”
Bulldog Ice Hockey Clubs Ends its Season with a Stunning Win
Last Friday the Bulldog Ice Hockey Club Team competed in the Fieldston Cup Lightning Tournament, a 3-team hockey event consisting of 20-minute "lightning" games at the Riverbank State Park rink on Manhattan's West Side. Teams were D-E, host Fieldston, and Poly Prep....
Seniors “Countdown Coffee”: 100 Days Until Commencement 2025!
The Class of 2025 recently celebrated their official 100 days mark before Commencement, which will be held on Sunday, June 1, 2025. The seniors gathered in Hajjar Auditorium for coffee, hot chocolate, donuts and conversation...
