Girls Tennis Team Falls to Horace Greeley in Section Final
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- Written by: Dave Taber
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The Scarsdale Raiders Girls Tennis Team advanced to the Section 1 Large School Championship on October 21. The matches were played at Harrison High School. Unfortunately for the Raiders, they were up against one of the best teams in New York State—Horace Greeley. While Scarsdale played well, the Quakers were a little bit better and took home the Section 1 championship trophy.
Photos by Dave Taber of Shots of the Game
To see more photos and/or download photos, please visit https://www.shotsofthegame.com/
First Singles: Isabel Linn races to hit a forehand.
Second Singles: Sophie Landa gets ready to pound a backhand.
Third Singles: Arabella Succar stretches for a crosscourt backhand.
First doubles: Jalyn Ryu hits a topspin forehand.
First doubles: Maya Kossakowski hits a forehand return.
Second doubles: Chloe Jin sets up for a topspin backhand.
Second doubles: Isabella Wu hits a slice forehand.
Third doubles: Keila Patel slams a forehand from behind the baseline.
Third doubles: Mindy Kahn keeps her eyes locked on the ball during a long rally.
Fourth doubles: Fallon Crane focuses on her forehand.
Fourth doubles: Alexa Gallante reaches to hit a backhand volley.
Gia Asan Nominated for Heart of a Giant Award
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- Written by: Joanne Wallenstein
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Scarsdale’s Gia Asan has been nominated to receive the 2025 USA Football Heart of a Giant Award, presented by Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) and the New York Giants. These outstanding Tri-State area high school students have all been nominated for the award by their coaches for their commitment, teamwork, will, character, and dedication on and off the field.
The voting period is open through October 19 and you can vote here:
The nominee with the most votes will be named that week’s finalist. At the conclusion of the six-week process, there will be a total of 11 honorees (six weekly finalists and five honorable mentions) recognized for their work ethic and character. Each finalist will receive a $1,000 equipment grant for their high school football program, with the grand prize winner earning an additional $9,000 grant for their school and being honored on the field at a future Giants game this season.
Selection of the grand prize winner will be based on video submissions explaining why they have the Heart of a Giant.
USA Football, Hospital for Special Surgery and the New York Giants are partnering to present the Heart of a Giant award for a 12th consecutive year. In that time, this award program has since expanded to highlight not only high school tackle football players, but all Tri-State high school flag football athletes, student managers or student mascots who demonstrate a relentless work ethic and unmatched love for the game.
Gia Asen, a junior at Scarsdale High School, is a dual-sport athlete who has excelled as both a flag football and soccer standout. On the football field, she earned All-Section and All-League honors, playing both offense and defense during her team’s undefeated run to the state championship. Her season was cut short after being hospitalized with a rare blood clot, but she showed remarkable resilience by stepping into a leadership role as team manager, keeping statistics and motivating teammates from the sidelines.
In soccer, Gia serves as a captain and has been recognized with All-Section and All-League honors, while also competing at a high level in club soccer, where she has participated in national and regional Girls Academy Talent ID programs. Off the field, she gives back through volunteer work with Lifting Up Westchester, where she has spent summers supporting children in need and encouraging peers to join her in service. Known for her leadership, positivity, and commitment, Gia continues to inspire her teammates and community through her perseverance and example.
Cast your vote here:
Quaker Ridge School to Celebrate Ribbon Cutting for New Garden
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- Written by: Joanne Wallenstein
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Quaker Ridge Elementary School will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, at 10:45 AM to celebrate the relocation and expansion of its school garden into the school’s main courtyard.
The Quaker Ridge Garden has been reimagined as a vibrant outdoor classroom, giving students hands-on opportunities to explore science, sustainability, and the joy of growing food together. The project was made possible through the partnership of the Quaker Ridge PTA, families, staff, custodians, and student-gardeners.
“This garden belongs to our children and to this community,” said Principal Felix Gil. “It will continue to grow with curiosity, care, and joy.”
The ceremony will feature remarks from school leadership, PTA representatives, and students, followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony with teachers and student gardeners.
In case of rain, the event will be held indoors in the school auditorium, where guests will enjoy a slideshow of garden photos.
The Quaker Ridge Garden Ribbon Cutting is open to students, families, and community members.
Contact: Quaker Ridge School, Anne Agostino, [email protected] Main Office
Residents Encouraged to Run for School Board Nominating Committee
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(The following was submitted by June (Xun) Deng, Jocelyn Gibian Zoland, Election Co-Chair, SBNC)
The Scarsdale School Board Nominating Committee (SBNC) is inviting residents to become part of a long-standing community tradition that helps shape the future of our schools. Being a part of SBNC is one of the most effective ways Scarsdale residents can impact the quality of our schools with a limited time commitment. Strong community involvement in the school board nominating process helps to ensure we get the highest quality of candidates for the Board of Education.
Formed in 1965, the SBNC is a non-partisan committee that identifies and endorses candidates for the Scarsdale Board of Education. Thirty members, drawn equally from the five elementary school neighborhoods, work together each year to recruit, interview, and recommend highly qualified candidates for the community to vote on in May.
Why join the SBNC?
Members play an active role in selecting Board of Education candidates, build connections across the community, and participate in a thoughtful process that has guided Scarsdale schools for decades. In 2024, Scarsdale residents voted to allow non-citizens to join the SBNC, ensuring that more voices can be part of this important process.
SBNC Membership Details
.All residents who are qualified voters, defined as a person at least 18 years of age, and a resident of Scarsdale for at least 30 days prior to the petition deadline of October 24, 2025, and interested in maintaining the excellence of Scarsdale schools are strongly urged to consider running for an SBNC position.
Members serve three years on the SBNC, followed by two years on the Administrative Committee.
Open seats this year: 3 from each Edgewood, Fox Meadow and Greenacres. And 4 in Heathcote and Quaker Ridge.
How to run:
Interested residents should complete two forms: the SBNC biographical form and candidate petition form and submit to [email protected] before October 24, 2025.
Election Day:
Wednesday, December 3, 2025 (snow dates: December 8 or 10). Voting will take place at Scarsdale Middle School from 7:00–10:00 AM and 2:00–9:00 PM.
For more information, visit scarsdalesbnc.org or email [email protected].
We look forward to your participation and questions.
June (Xun) Deng, Jocelyn Gibian Zoland
Election Co-Chair, SBNC
BOE Leaders Brown and Dugan Greet the School Year with Optimism
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Jim Dugan and Colleen BrownSetting an optimistic tone for the new school year, Scarsdale’s BOE President James Dugan and Vice President Colleen Brown, recently sat down with Scarsdale10583.com for a casual conversation and to share a few insights. Looking forward to a smooth and successful year as BOE President, Mr. Dugan shared his thoughts on a variety of topics covering everything from the District’s new cell phone policy to concerns about federal funding.
Speaking about the new, New York State “bell-to-bell” cellphone ban (a policy that prohibits students from using cell phones and other internet-enabled devices from the start to the end of the school day), Mr. Dugan shared that the implementation of the new rules seems to be going smoothly and appreciated by many. Brown further noted that as the high school adjusts to the new rules and irons out any wrinkles, teachers aren’t heavily enforcing the new consequences but rather issuing reminders to their students to keep their phones turned off and put away, easing them into the new practices. While acknowledging it will be an adjustment for some high school students and even their parents, Dugan and Brown were hopeful that the benefits of the change will create a positive and engaging learning environment for all.
Also in regard to the high school, Dugan explained that administrators have considered the concerns about the Rolling Grade Book (a new grading policy implemented last year) and used that feedback to make helpful adjustments. One such adjustment comes in the form of an “Open Grade Book” policy that is set to begin this October. As Principal Bonamo explained it to the students, “The goal of the online gradebook is to have teachers and students have access to a shared record of progress throughout the year, and to lower the stress around grades by having that information accessible to you.” Dugan expressed his appreciation for this sort of response to community feedback and the actions taken to remain “student centered" and to put their needs first. He added, “As education evolves, we have to evolve too.”
The District’s elementary math curriculum is another area that administrators seem to be listening to community feedback and making appropriate adjustments. Dugan and Brown reiterated information shared in a recent BOE meeting highlighting the work teachers and faculty members did over the summer to make adaptations to the curriculum to better serve students. Dugan also called attention to upcoming curriculum-related coffee mornings where Dr. Edgar McIntosh will present the parent community with pertinent details and material.
In regard to the annual school budget vote, Dugan related that rising health care costs continue to be a concern. Though there were specific healthcare related events that affected last year’s budget that Dugan doesn’t foresee impacting this year’s, he expressed that rising costs continue to be an important consideration.
He went on to relate that finding a balance between what is fiscally responsible and providing all the support and equipment that helps to shape our District’s reputation for an exemplary education, is always difficult. Dugan also recognized that continuing to rely on reserve funds to balance the budget isn’t sustainable but despite these challenges, the Board remains committed to figuring out creative ways to ensure critical funding.
Though the District doesn’t receive a large amount of federal funding, Dugan and Brown expressed concern about changes in the Department of Education and the impact the loss of funding could have on the budget, however minimal it might be.
When asked about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Brown explained that the District maintains their commitment to creating a sense of belonging for all students and to fostering an environment that promotes empathy and inclusion. She went on to describe how the District is utilizing what was learned from the Belonging Survey that was given last year, to provide appropriate support and resources to all the school communities.
