High School Club: Try it. You'll Like it.

Well, the new school year is upon us and that means it is time to register for High School Club. As many of you know, the Club focuses on the five C's of College, Career, Character, Community and Culture.

Last year's activities included boxing; a tour of colleges in Boston; a ski trip; two Scavenger Hunts; career speakers in business, fashion, journalism, and the performing arts; a visit from breakdancer and choreographer, Rokafella; an Open Mic; t-shirt design and candy making; as well as workshops in film criticism and college applications. This year we are sure to have as much fun (if not more) so drop by Rosedale to register for the Fall.

If you have any ideas (wishes, hopes, dreams) for High School Club, please post them to the blog.

See you soon!

Job-Training Program Ends

Well the bad news is that the Job-Training Program is over, but the good news is that High School Club will be starting up soon and we will all get to see old friends again.

Our Job-Training Program interns all did an outstanding job! The employer evaluations praised them for their work ethic and enthusiasm. One trainee was even told she was the best intern they had ever had and another was asked to help make an intern promotional video. I'm super proud of all of you and I truly enjoyed working and meeting with you this summer.

Endless thanks to all of the organizations that participated in our Job-Training Program:

Allen & Overy, KPMG LLC, Allstate Insurance, Lighthouse International, Stonesong Press LLC, Spain-US Chamber of Commerce, The Coughlin Group, the Bronx County Courthouse, Mediterranean Shipping Company, Mount Hope Housing Company, Fierson's, Wave Hill Summer Forest Collaborative, and the Rosedale Summer Achievement Program.

We look forward to working with you again!

Community Swim

To celebrate the final day of the Job-Training Program we had an outdoor barbeque. This is the pool we swam in at the outdoor barbeque. This is the food we ate at the outdoor barbeque. These are the job-trainees in the pool at the outdoor barbeque. Lest anyone think we drown our trainees on the last day of program, please understand that this is some kind of fun water game and not a torture method. Those are smiles on their faces. Really.

Standing Tall at Princeton

Here are some pictures from the Job-Training Program's trip to Princeton. Thanks to Shu-jen we have some beautiful pictures of the campus. For many, it was the first time they had taken a college tour. At lunch, we celebrated Jill's upcoming birthday with some delicious brownies.

I think I'm turning Japanese

For our second educational field trip, the Job-Trainees headed to Shiseido (prounced She-Say-Doe) America's offices in Manhattan. We got the VIP treament from our hosts and now we know what it's like to be a guest on Oprah. As soon as we walked in, there were bagels, scones, fruit, coffee, juice and even yogurt granola parfaits for our enjoyment. We sat at the roundtable and heard stellar presentations from the advertising, financial, sales, and training departments. Afterwards, make-up artist Michelle took us through a facial cleansing routine with Shiseido's Pureness line. Once we were clean and dewy, she showed us, step-by-step, how to apply make-up for a natural but fun look. Several of the trainees got a turn in Michelle's chair so that she could demonstrate her technique. My favorite part was mixing lip gloss "cocktails." To continue the celebrity treatment, we got major swag at the end when each trainee and staff member received a goodie bag with lipstick samples, blotting papers, eyeshadow, and a skincare kit. Needless to say, this was very well-received by the Rosedale trainees. Is the cosmetics industry a good career option for women? I would say yes. I really think so. What do you think? And once you've pondered the working world and your place in it, feel free to tell me what flavor lip gloss you are by taking this fun quiz: blogthings.com/whatflavorlipglossareyouquiz/ I'm Rasberry Chocolate.

Let There Be Light!

Rosedale's Job-Trainees payed an exciting visit to Bloomberg News. We liked the modern Asian-inspired aesthetic, from the "rock" formations in the lobby to the fish tanks, art installations, and glass conference rooms. We could see people having important meetings right before our eyes. Our tour guide, Andrew, explained that Bloomberg's design reflects the company's values of transparency and openness. He led us down into the television studios so that we could see an actual taping and showed us a visual timeline of the Bloomberg terminal. Perhaps we didn't completely understand what the terminals actually do, but it was impressive nonetheless. Above the company are condos where someone named Beyonce and someone named Jay-Z live. Bloomberg provides free food to all of its employees and we witnessed many people walking by with what looked like Chinese noodle bowls. If you lived in one of the above condos and were employed by Bloomberg and didn't attend any kind of religious services, it would be possible to work a full week without ever leaving the building. Possibly longer. You wouldn't even miss the sun because of all the windows. There are many compelling reasons to work at a company like Bloomberg besides having direct access to sunlight. What do you think they are?

Rosedale's 2007 Job-Training Program has begun!

We have 24 students placed in internships in Manhattan, Westchester, and the Bronx.

Our part-time students will be going on weekly excursions to such places as Bloomberg News, Shiseido Cosmetics, and Princeton University.

Each week, we will have a posting about some element of work and a question for our Job-Training Students. This week's question concerns the salaries of your favorite t.v. characters. MSN's Career section on careerbuilder.com recently posted an article by Kate Lorenz showing the real-life salaries of fictional characters:

Pam Beesly, "The Office"--Receptionist in Scranton, PA $23,120
Betty Suarez, "Ugly Betty"--Executive Assistant at a fashion magazine $37,180
Detective Lilly Rush, "Cold Case"--Philadelphia police detective $44,000
Lorelai Gilmore, "Gilmore Girls"--Inn owner in a small town $47,420

Question: What is your favorite character's salary? You can pick someone from movies, television, or books. Go to salary.com, CBsalary.com, or Payscale.com to see how much they would make. Be sure and take into account where they live. For example, a teacher in New York City might make more than a teacher in a small town.

High School Club Goes to Boston

We had great weather--a bit chilly--for our trip to the ivy-covered halls of learning in Boston and Cambridge. Harvard alum and Rosedale volunteer, Angela, gave us a personal tour of her alma mater. Angela was once a tour guide herself and can still talk and walk backwards with the best of them.

That night we ate Cajun-Tex-Mex at Border Cafe and then went on a driving tour of Bean Town. We stopped by Modern Pastry to snag some delicious canoli and watch the lively nighttime crowds in the North End. We stayed overnight at the H.I. Hostel--Boston. It was very nice and clean and cheap.

Sunday, Mary showed us around Boston University, where she had majored in Hospitality. We then drove around Boston College and squeezed in some Green Mountain ice-cream time before heading back to the Bronx, thus completing our mission to visit as many colleges and eat as many sweets as possible.

Service With A Smile

Some members of our High School Club graciously agreed to help serve as waiters at the South Bronx Educational Foundation's Spring Event, a fundraiser for Rosedale and Crotona. Aricelis, Jennifer, Marianna, Sasha, Heidi and Stephanie underwent a grueling training session (just kidding) in preparation for the big night.

They all did a fantastic job serving up rice balls, fried artichokes, and sandwiches to a hungry crowd. Thanks a million, you guys!!! You were essential to the night's success.

Open Mic at Cafe Rosedale

The First Annual 2007 Open Mic at Cafe Rosedale was a success! High School Club members gave some brave and crazy performances: Cynthia performed original poetry, an original song (big hit!) and, with Regina, a duet from "Rent." Jennifer recited a poem by Lorca in both English and Spanish. She also, along with Yzamar and Claudia, performed a highly "dramatic" skit. Cynthia and Jennifer made everyone laugh with their rendition of the classic Abbott and Costello piece, "Who's on First?" Other highlights were poetry from both Yzamar and Amanda.

Afterwards, we all enjoyed delicious treats such as Aricelis' endless batch of brownies, Yzamar's Rosedale cookies, Amanda's popular Confetti Cake, and Ms. Coates' baked ziti. Thanks to everyone for contributing to the event!! We were all inspired by the many artistic and culinary talents of our members.

Budget Fashionista Kathryn Finney Visits Rosedale!

On Saturday, Kathryn Finney and her assistant Tahesha came and talked to the High School Club. Kathryn gave everyone a free copy of her book, "How to Be a Budget Fashionista." After taking the book's fashion quiz to discover their fashion personality, the girls looked through magazines to create a "Look Book," a collection of pictures that captured their personal style. Kathryn then gave some tips on how to achieve those designer looks for less:

1. Shop in thrift stores in wealthier areas like SoHo and Chelsea. Two to try are Housing Works and Angel. These stores also have special deals and sales throughout the year.

2. If you see something you love, but it's too expensive at full price, mark your calendars. It will most likely go on sale in 6-8 weeks.

3. Don't ever spend over $50 on jeans! Go to Wal-Mart and check out their Faded Glory brand. Kathryn swears by it. She wore them to Fashion Week and got many compliments.

4. Torrid is a good place for plus-sized trendy wear. If you are petite, you might want to try the kids' section of your favorite stores, like GapKids or Crew Cuts. Some stores, like Banana Republic, also have petite options online. Tall girls, or those with other fit requests, should call a store when it's not busy and explain your needs. Most salespeople will be happy to help you and make suggestions.

5. When shopping at a discount store such as Century 21, try going during a weekday, if you can, to avoid the massive crowds.

After completing our Look Books, Kathryn answered questions about fashion and shopping. One piece of advice she left us with was not to worry when life takes you in an unexpected direction. Before becoming the Budget Fashionista, Kathryn was studying diseases in Ghana! At the end of the session, Kathryn signed everyone's book. Happy shopping to you, too, Kathryn! And thanks so much for visiting us at Rosedale. You are welcome back anytime!

Pictures from Career Panel

Victoria, Nia, and Anne spoke to Rosedale's High School Club about their careers. It was quite an eye-opening experience!

Fashion journalist Nia showed us some of her clips from American and British publications, print and online. She shared the highs and lows of freelancing (want to work in your pajamas, anyone?), building webpages (you need to be tech-savvy), and hiding your lunch from dieting co-workers at Conde Nast.

Design-Assistant Victoria Mier spoke of her regular 9-5 corporate gig in a creative field. She wowed us with her portfolio and an Anthropologie-esque skirt she made in college. We loved Miss Mier's feminine and chic designs.

The young and talented Anne Ingram gave us the dirt on being a performer. 100 auditions for every job? Really? She explained how Opera singing is different from musical theater and then entertained us with a rendition of "Summertime" from Porgy & Bess.

Thanks and more thanks to our wonderful panel. We look forward to hearing more about your success in the coming years! Good luck!!

The Real Deal on Glamour Jobs

Hey High School Club,

You should all be very excited about this Saturday's Career Panel. I've posted the speakers' bios from the flier for you all to see. We are going to have three wonderful speakers in the fields of opera, fashion, and journalism. Come with your questions.

Also, Saturday the 28th we are going to have a visit from Kathryn Finney, The Budget Fashionista. For that session, everyone should come with
1) a fashion magazine (at least one, but bring more if you have them)
2) a notebook or scrapbook (could be a spiral or loose leaf stapled together--as long as you can paste stuff onto it)

See you Saturday!!!

Saturday's Speakers:

Anne Ingram holds a B.A. in Music from Lawrence University in Wisconsin and a Masters Degree in Music from the New England Conservatory. She has appeared in Verdi’s Macbeth in Milwaukee and Mozart’s The Abduction from the Seraglio with Skylight Opera Theater. With New York’s One World Symphony, she has performed in Puccini’s Suor Angelica and Gluck’s Orfeo ed Euridice. She currently studies with world-famous opera singer Diana Soviero.

Victoria Mier was born in Danville, Virginia and moved to Savannah, Georgia in 2001 to study fashion design at the Savannah College of Art and Design. After graduation, she moved to New York City to pursue a career in fashion. Victoria was hired as a design assistant for the company Elie Tahari, where she has been working for the past year and a half on a private label line, Gianni Bini, exclusive to Dillard’s Department Stores.

Nia Elizabeth Shepherd is a freelance journalist whose pieces have appeared in Women's Wear Daily, TIME Style & Design, EasyLivingMagazine.co.uk, Vogue.co.uk and GlamourMagazine.co.uk. While studying International Relations at NYU, Nia maintained her passion for fashion and communications. During her sophomore year, she obtained an internship in fashion public relations at Lippe Taylor, a PR firm in New York. After Lippe Taylor, Nia spent her junior year interning in the Public Relations department of Lilly Pulitzer, but soon realized she wanted to write. An internship at Women's Wear Daily (WWD) gave her the opportunity to work in the fashion features and market departments. She went on to freelance for WWD and other publications and is currently a freelance web assistant at MensVogue.com.

Plans for Open Mic

Hello High School Club! Hope you had a Happy Easter.

For those of you who missed it, we had a successful planning session for the May 5th Open Mic. Invitations have been sent out to this year's speakers, volunteers, and tutors.

Here is the line-up so far:

Regina Brown and Jennifer Melchor will read poetry.

Yohanny and Jalissa Perez will show us their best hip-hop moves.

Natalie D'Aloia and Zuly Beltre will perform the classic Abbott & Costello piece, "Who's on First."

Amanda Coates and Vanessa Burrell will wow us with a Modern Dance and Step performance.

If anyone else would like to perform something at the Open Mic, let me know as soon as possible. Also, contact me if you have artwork you would like to display.

See you all on the 21st!!!

High School Club Calendar

I know none of you would ever lose your High School Club Calendars. I know they're taped to your walls or under your pillows. But just in case . . .

March 31st: Prep for May 5th Open Mic/End of Year celebration

April 7th: No Club. Happy Easter!

April 14th: No Club

April 21st: Career Panel, "The Real Deal on Glamour Jobs." Details to come.

April 28th: Special Guest Speaker, Kathryn Finney, "The Budget Fashionista"

May 5th: Open Mic at Cafe Rosedale

May 12th--13th: Overnight Trip to Boston

Winners and Losers

Don't worry, I'm not going to say "Everyone's a Winner." There were definitely two winning teams: Team RosieClaudiaJenniferMarianna and Team AricelisCarlyVanessaAmanda. Congratulations!!

I will say that I am proud of everyone for trying their best despite the time squeeze and overcast weather. Hopefully, everyone will go back to the Greenmarket when it is a bit brighter and buy some fruits and vegetables. Or cookies. Maybe try one of those green eggs.

Union Square Scavenger Hunt

Hey Ladies!

Spring is here (sort of) and we are going to celebrate by taking High School Club outdoors.
This Saturday we are going to have a Scavenger Hunt at the Greenmarket at Union Square. For those of you who have never been to the Greenmarket, it is a place where farmers come to the city to sell fresh fruits, vegetables, bread, yogurt, eggs, and tons of other goodies. The winning team will receive a prize (a good one).

We will meet at Rosedale at 4:00 p.m. ON THE DOT so that we can take the #6 train down to the Square. Please bring at least 4 dollars for the subway and some pocket change if you would like to buy some items at the market (they have cookies, pretzels, pies, etc.) We should be back at Rosedale by 6:30 p.m.

Also, there's a chance it might rain (sorry) so bring an umbrella or waterproof coat with a hood.

See you Saturday!!!

Jean Jugan Visit

Rosedale visited the folks at Jean Jugan, a very nice residence for the elderly poor in the Bronx. Sister Joseph Marie gave a tour which included a beautiful chapel. Rosedale chatted with the residents and Yohanny painted nails. Sister Joseph Marie said she would love to have us back in the future.