Theme: Behind the Façade

How are things different than they appear? A group of 8th Grade students set out to explore this basic philosophical question. In the grand tradition of Plato’s Symposium, we invited extraordinary individuals to explore our questions from various angles. We aim to find greater truths, by seeing the world through their eyes.

What is the true meaning of beauty? How are perceptions sometimes wrong? What is behind people who have incredible strength to persevere? Why is the path to happiness sometimes hard to see?

For one afternoon, we invite you to turn off the outside world and contemplate the eight presentations we curated. Brainstorm with your community and meet the presenters for direct questions and answers.

Hellenic Classical Charter School
646 5th Ave
Brooklyn, New York, 11215
United States

Dale Noelle

Modeling Entrepreneur

Dale was one of the fashion industry’s most successful fitting models for nearly two decades before she founded TRUE Model Management. She has worked around the world with the largest brands and designers, including Calvin Klein, Victoria's Secret, Oscar de la Renta, Tommy Hilfiger, Michael Kors, Ralph Lauren, and many more. Dale has been at the forefront of body scanning, use of avatars, and will soon be in the metaverse. She has been promoting healthy mindsets, eating habits and lifestyles; advocating positive body images, diversity and inclusivity, before it was trending.

Gerald Gangaram

Apache Helicopter Commander

Despite early condemnation that he would not amount to anything more than a gangster, Gerald Gangaram is a retired U.S. Army Major, whom many consider a war hero from his combat service during “Operation Enduring Freedom”. Raised by a single mother in a low-income area within Queens, New York City, he always strove to improve himself and hardly imagined being the recipient of numerous medals along a career piloting the Apache – an attack helicopter his enemies described as “The Dragon”.

Jennarai Earp

Poet

Jennarai Earp is a student, public speaker, and poet, living in New York City. For her, the discovery of writing as a creative outlet has been transformative. In the time she has between classes, speaking engagements, and other responsibilities, Jennarai develops her writing and is a resident poet at Book Club, in the Lower East Side of New York. For questions or bookings reach her on at instagram.

Robert Galinsky

Actor, Playwright, Prison Activist

Robert Galinsky is a Founder, GalinskyCoaching.com and New York City town crier. He helps public figures to let their personalities shine on stage and tv, and he works with teenagers in jails and prisons throughout NY State through Literacy for Incarcerated Teens and the Kite Zine. His one-person play "The Bench, A Homeless Love Story" played ten sold out weeks Off Broadway, and was extended for 30 weeks in the East Village and Hollywood, CA. His first self-published book of poetry and plays, “Scribbling on Spaghetti” is available on Amazon.

The Peach Cobbler

Gaming Content Creator

Peach has led anything but a cookie-cutter life. Having grown up on a farm, playing video games with her 14 siblings was one of her few “luxuries”. Peach moved to NYC and after a few years of modeling for large brands such as Kate Spade, she was at a party and played video games with a few friends. Someone introduced her to Twitch, a live streaming platform, and she took a leap of faith - starting a new chapter where her genuine personality, tenacity, and passion for positivity have brought her great success in her short time of streaming.

Thomas Zeumer

Image Maker

Thomas Zeumer is an industry legend – a New York-based modeling agent, media entrepreneur, and creative visionary. The former president and CEO of Metropolitan Models, known for skyrocketing careers of top models like Heidi Klum, Claudia Schiffer, and Eva Herzigová, all of whom began their careers with Thomas and were at one time under contract with Metropolitan Models. Thomas is the co-founder of ZEX, a new subscription-based platform providing members with the tools and security to control their online content and be the master of their metaverse.

Wally Green

Celebrity Ping Pong Pro

Wally Green, celebrity table tennis pro/entertainer, grew up in a dangerous housing project in Brooklyn where gangs and violence were a huge part of his life. Today his life, completely changed by the sport of table tennis (ping pong) and has represented the US in numerous International competitions across the globe including North Korea for his very own historical Ping Pong Diplomacy! Wally says, “I will make them love me!” He has been featured in talk shows and print, and is cofounder New York’s premiere social Ping Pong club, SPIN New York.