Winter 2005 New Jersey DSY graduating class.

On February 2 a newly expanded New Jersey Development School for Youth (NJ DSY) held its Spring Orientation. The NJ DSY has increased its class cycles from two to four per year, doubling the enrollment from an average of 40 students to 80 students a year.

The expansion of the NJ DSY responds to the growing number of Newark-area young people who want to enroll in the program. Last spring, 39 students graduated from the single largest class in the program's six year history. The students in the Spring '06 classes come from 15 different high schools in the Newark area. Thirty percent of this spring's students came to the program via "word of mouth." "Young people are telling each other about the DSY — that it's tough, challenging and a 'must' if they want to take a shot at growing and developing and creating some new ways to lead their lives and pursue their dreams," says program director Gloria Strickland. "And thanks to our partners in the business community, we're able to keep growing the program to meet this demand."

Performers from the last New Jersey All Stars Talent Show.

The Spring '06 classes will complete the core workshop series with a graduation ceremony on Tuesday, May 2 and will begin their summer internships on Monday, June 26. For more information, contact program manager, mvaughn-handy@allstars.org.

The New Jersey All Stars Talent Show Network is gearing up for an exciting spring season of high-energy youth performances by young people from Newark and surrounding communities. The season kicked off Saturday, March 25th with a special afternoon of community outreach conducted by All Stars youth leaders, volunteers and participants in the Rutgers/Penn State Leadership Exchange. Five teams of ten worked street corners in downtown Newark, inviting youth to audition on May 6 for the spring talent show.

The ASTSN series will continue with a performance workshop on May 13 and will culminate in a citywide show, Saturday, June 3.

For more information on the New Jersey All Stars (or to get involved), call 973-622-5506.