Poetry, Public Health, and Purpose: Bloomfield Students Shine at the 2025 NRHC Conference
From powerful poetry to award-winning research, Bloomfield students proved at the NRHC Conference that when talent meets purpose, the impact reaches far beyond the classroom
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Paula Perez Portero and Tyrese Fletcher-Hewlett are living proof that some of the most exciting young minds in arts, creativity and research are being nurtured right here at Bloomfield College of Montclair State University.
Last month, they joined hundreds of other high-achieving students from 200 colleges and universities across the Northeast, Canada and the Caribbean at the 2025 Northeast Regional Honors Council Conference in Harrisburg, PA.
Guided by Figen Suchanek, Paula Perez Portero — a sophomore Biology major with minors in Mathematics and Psychology — explored a groundbreaking new way to support public health by using technology. Her research uses machine learning models to predict air pollution levels in New Jersey cities by analyzing data from nearby pollutant and weather stations. “Clean air is everyone’s right — and data helps us protect it,” she says.
Her project, titled “Predicting Air Quality and Public Health Impacts: A Machine Learning Approach to Understanding Pollution and Meteorological Factors in New Jersey”, stood out from dozens of others and earned her the Best Poster Award.
Tyrese Fletcher-Hewlett, a third-year Creative Writing major with a minor in Expanded Media, presented his project, “Words of Freedom: Poetry as Activism,” at the Performing Arts and Film Showcase.
Tyrese originally enrolled as an International Business major, but an unexpected event sparked a new passion and completely shifted his path. “While I liked math, it didn’t ignite a passion within me,” Tyrese says. “It wasn’t until I attended a poetry event hosted by the Live Poetry Society that I realized where my true talent and interest lay—in poetry and creative writing. I fell in love with the way I can create an image with words and touch people’s hearts.”
How Bloomfield College Helps Students Turn Their Passions Into Careers
From the award-winning facilities in the Creative Arts & Technology department to ample opportunities for student-led scientific research guided by experienced faculty, Bloomfield College provides all of the tools and support students need to explore their passions.
Bloomfield College Honors Program provides even more opportunities for students who want to go deeper and take their learning to the next level:
- Exclusive academic and study abroad scholarships
- A self-directed curriculum where students work with faculty advisors to design projects based on their passions
- Leadership and service opportunities, like planning campus events or organizing community service initiatives
- The chance to present and publish research at major conferences like NRHC
Bloomfield alumni have written Grammy-winning albums, served in Congress, founded non-profits, and more.
Paula and Tyrese are just two examples of what’s possible when passion meets opportunity. And at Bloomfield College of Montclair State University, those opportunities are everywhere. What will you do?
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Prospective Student / Parent? Learn more about the Honors Program at Bloomfield College of Montclair State University, plan a visit to our campus, and take the first step toward applying to become a Bloomfield Bear.