Big Night on the Town: All-Stars Attend Big East Men’s Basketball Tournament

Big Night on the Town: All-Stars Attend Big East Men’s Basketball Tournament Finals at Madison Square Garden

“When you enter the arena, all you could hear was the fans cheering. The cheers were so loud; you couldn’t even hear your own thoughts. It was Villanova vs. Xavier… I cheered for Villanova. If you even blinked or turned away for a second, you missed something amazing. This was my first time at Madison Square Garden, and my first time at a basketball game. Mr. Roland, my Program Leader, noticed my good behavior and I was able to go with other kids to the Big East Tournament. This opportunity proves my own quote, ‘Good behavior pays off in the long run!’”
– Josiah, 6th Grader at George Washington Carver Elementary School, Newark NJ

Thanks to a surprise ticket donation from the New York Life Foundation, six lucky All-Stars, including Josiah, were rewarded for their exemplary efforts in after school with tickets to attend the Big East Tournament semifinal game featuring Georgetown and Xavier as well as Saturday night’s championship game featuring Villanova and Xavier at the “World’s Most Famous Arena”. The Big East Tournament is widely regarded among basketball aficionados as the crown jewel of the conference basketball tournament season. The raucous atmosphere alone is worth the price of admission. For most of the All-Stars, the games were their first live college basketball experience.

This special trip into Manhattan was designed as both a reward for active participation in ASAS Newark’s comprehensive after school program at George Washington Carver Elementary and a window into what college life has in store. In as much as college experience is about academic achievement and career preparation, it’s also the setting where lifelong social networks are forged and lasting memories are made. In fact, upon returning to Newark, each student reported having had a fun experience that made college feel that much more tangible and attainable.

Earlier this school year, After-School All-Stars launched its Newark chapter with generous support from NY Life. The chapter now serves 260 students in two K-8 public schools, George Washington Carver and Dr. E Alma Flagg. Because of key private and public investments in after school like those provided by NY Life and Newark’s Office of Expanded Learning Time (ELT), we’re able to provide our All-Stars with free, high-quality after-school programming five days a week and deliver inspiring field trip opportunities! Reach out to Melissa Neubart, [email protected] if you’d like to join us in Newark or New York for a tour of the program!

Tune in for next week’s edition of our ASAS newsletter featuring a career exploration field trip to a locally owned and operated bohemian enclave in the heart of downtown Newark!