- April 19, 2025
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Melissa Morsli, Dr Janjay and Jackie Gehndyu and Naiema Frieson
Photo by Lori SaxIdanelis Ferrera and Jackie Gehndyu
Photo by Lori SaxZahir Gomez and Dr. Janjay Gehndyu
Photo by Lori SaxJeffrey Peterson, Liam Rendon and Donna Koffman
Photo by Lori SaxAllegra Buffington and Ashley Kozel
Photo by Lori SaxJose Martinez Ojeda, Yankel Quinones, Isaac Martinez and Levi Antoine
Photo by Lori SaxDr. Donna Twisdale, Shirley Miller and Deborah Parker
Photo by Lori SaxDwayne Parker and Carl Willis
Photo by Lori SaxGloria Koach, John LaCivita
Photo by Lori SaxMichelle Bauman and Renee Phinney
Photo by Lori SaxA.J. and Dr. Khalil Lee
Photo by Lori SaxTatyana Stewart and Brenda Belsito
Photo by Lori SaxAmie Austin-Oliva
Photo by Lori SaxJennifer Penn and Diana Roberts
Photo by Lori SaxMarjorie Long, Kayon Parker and Jerry Long
Photo by Lori SaxEvent Co-chairs Melissa Morsli and Naiema Frieson
Photo by Lori SaxTaylor Karp Teymuri, Tammy Karp and Sarah Karp Renkliyuz
Photo by Lori SaxMandy Neuman, Jovanna Morgan, Diana Roberts, Tatyana Stewart and Carrie Riley
Photo by Lori SaxBob Winick and Dr. Janet Taylor
Photo by Lori SaxHallie Peilet Young emcees the event.
Photo by Lori SaxVMA Fifth Grade "Suns" recite the school creed and keys to sucess
Photo by Lori SaxSheila McKoy and Jarvis Brinso
Photo by Lori SaxVisible Men Academy students Yankel Quinones, Isaac Martinez and Zahir Gomez
Photo by Lori SaxApropos to the name of the event, love was the prevailing theme at the Visible Men Academy's annual Love Lunch, held Oct. 24 at Michael’s On East.
The theme pervaded everything, from heart-patterned clothing and "Love" artwork available for sale to hearts hanging from pictures of the academy’s students that adorned the ceiling around the stage.
During the luncheon, VMA Principal Janjay Gehndyu gave the keynote address, and he helped inspire the crowd by sharing the school’s mission of providing mostly low-income boys with a place that marries academic education with support to help them build character and social skills as well. To do that, as Gehndyu recognized, requires a loving, nurturing environment.
The school hopes to empower its students, which it refers to as “Suns,” with the knowledge and skills to pursue whatever they want for their lives and to give back to their community. A fifth grade class of “Suns” performed for the crowd, reciting their school creed and keys to success.
