NEWARK, NJ — Many notable alumni have passed through the hallways of Weequahic High School in Newark. That list includes American novelist Philip Roth, New Jersey Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver, and Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, who once served as vice principal at the school.

And it was with this sense of history in mind that nearly 100 volunteers gathered for a major renovation project at the 86-year-old school last month.

On Oct. 13, dozens of eager volunteers gathered in the city's South Ward to spruce up the community landmark. Together, volunteers refurbished the school's student media center, created inspirational murals for the school's "Jobs for America's Graduate" room, installed a 4-foot fence and landscaping for a new flower garden and repainted the school cafeteria, among other tasks.