Scarsdale A-school Celebrates the Class of 2013

Pride and triumph filled the SHS auditorium last Friday, June 14th, at the Scarsdale Alternative School Graduation. SAS was established in 1972 in the hopes of creating a sense of community among a group of students and teachers that would work together in learning to express and defend ideas and opinions.

Fridayʼs graduation ceremony strayed from tradition, representative of SASʼs philosophy, which is to provide a unique path for students to take throughout their sophomore, junior, and senior years in a small, democratic, hands-on community. Mukund Murari, a graduating A-school senior and Master of Ceremonies for the afternoon, warmly welcomed the audience and explained that the A-school is a "tight-knit community where all students have a personal relationship with one another, teachers, and staff." He then introduced the A-school Teacher-In-Charge, Howard Rodstein.

Mr. Rodstein incorporated the interactive aspect of the A-school into the graduation ceremony by having the graduates repeat after him, reciting three phrases. First, "We are citizens." This emphasized the A-schoolʼs value of education built on respect for individuality and duty to the community. Second, he had the students repeat, "We won the lottery!" Both physically and figuratively, these graduates did. In order to create diversity and to be fair, A-school admission is based solely on a lottery. Whoever is interested in joining A-school is entered into the lottery during freshman year and names are chosen at random. So, in a way, these students did win the lottery. However, these 28 seniors also "won the lottery" in a more abstract way. As Mr. Rodstein reminded the audience, "We are lucky to live where we live and engage with very special friends." SAS students are blessed with an education in Scarsdale as well as the opportunity to be a part of a special community where their opinion and vote count towards important decisions. Lastly, Mr. Rodstein had students ask themselves, "Now, what are we going to do with our wonderful fortune?," which is his way of asking the golden question for every graduating class, "Whatʼs next?"

Customary of any graduation, the students were reminded of some important lessons to carry with them always. Mr. Rodstein stressed that "Itʼs okay to be afraid." Through a personal anecdote, he reminded the students that fear does not stop one from succeeding. He reassured them that "Smart people make mistakes all the time. They challenge themselves with things that are difficult for them."

!Scarsdale High Schoolʼs Principal Ken Bonamo also had some inspirational words for the seniors, who make up the first A-school class he will see graduate. Mr. Banamo told them, "My hope for you today is that you retain that spirit of inquiry, of advocacy, of intellectual wrestling, and that you use those skills to engage in material that truly interests you, and that finally, you combine that spirit and those skills to do something that benefits our society as a whole."

Sheilah Chason, one of the SAS teachers, joined the A-school at the same time as the graduates did, three years ago. A box of tissues in hand, she emotionally told them that she would always remember this class with warmth and gratitude. She then made meticulous speeches to each of her advisees. This tradition of SAS is yet another way their customs wander outside the mainstream. Detailed, individual speeches are made from advisor to advisee, highlighting the studentʼs strengths and successes, and giving each student a moment to shine. Following each speech, the advisor handed the graduate a diploma and fellow A-school students handed each a gift. Ms. Chasonʼs advisees were Madison Boss (Senior Project Award), Lauren Bostrom, Jordanna Cooper, Caroline Finkelstein, George Frankle, and Sophia Noulas.

The next advisor to take the microphone was Jeanne Cooper. Mukund Murari described his teacher as "[having] a way of making students want to impress her. She never fails to motivate us." Ms. Cooper presented diplomas to her advisees Celeste DiLauro, Lauren Farfel, Sydney Green, Rebecca Groner, Douglas "DJ" Halloway (Senior Project Award), and Jessie Somekh.

After a brief intermission, the ceremony recommenced as Mukund Murari introduced his history teacher with great excitement. "In addition to patience, Jen has a passionate enthusiasm for history, which as a student, makes you want to just jump up and yell something like ʻYes! I get it now!ʼ" After her lively introduction, Jen Maxwell made speeches for and presented diplomas to her advisees, Ally Gross, Harris Gurny, Matt Kayle, Rebecca Miller, and Caroline Rodman.

English teacher Mr. Rodstein then returned to the microphone to acknowledge his own advisees, Andy Sherman, Kayce Venezia, Keenen Willis, and Chelsea Wong.

The "Tony" award is the highest award given in the A-school. It was established in honor of a revered A-school director, Tony Aranella, and is given to seniors who best express and honor the values and principles the A-school was created upon. Because of her "intellectual curiosity... and her excellent and growing leadership skills," Rebecca Groner was one of the seniors presented with the award this year. Keenen Willis was also honored with the "Tony" award. Mr. Rodstein told the audience, "For Keenen, there was no there was no ʻsenior slumpʼ because for him, school is not about rewards and punishment... Rather, it is about inquiry and shared endeavor, feeling, and thought... Part of what I admire about Keenen is his understated, but very public brand of citizenship."

Of his own advisor, Mukund remarked, "Jim has always encouraged us to be intellectually curious rather than feeding us information, and at first I was uncomfortable with this, but now I feel even more prepared for college." Jim Williams then presented diplomas to his advisees, Emma Pendrill, Mukund Murari, Sarah Korzec, Doug Berman, Tiana Palmer-Poroner, Matt Ellman, and Anabelle Brecker.

Senior Speaker Keenen Willis wrapped up the ceremony with a thoughtful speech that brought a close a three-year journey. "Weʼve come to understand that learning isnʼt about getting a 100 on a test or doing the best in the class. Itʼs about understanding whatʼs being taught and finding meaning and value in it. That is frequently a challenge in Scarsdale, which tends to have a slightly intense and competitive atmosphere... Starting today, we can look forward to a new adventure." He then read an excerpt of a poem the students had read in English class. It carried a message that would reassure his fellow classmates that although they will be leaving a wonderful community they have depended on for three years, each will form new ties and always find someone to rely on in college.

Warmth, gratitude, and dignity were so clearly evident in the smiles of the seniors as each student greeted their teacher advisor with a hug when they came to the stage to accept their diploma. Students have set "impossibly high standards" at their internships and advisors say that these students have taught them a wide array of new things, whether it be lessons, facts, or words. The Class of 2013 truly maintained the high level of excellence and upheld the values of the A-School.

Traditional caps and gowns were nowhere to be seen, but without a doubt, the unique ceremony held Friday was a special day for all.

Photos by Becky Schwartz