Alternative School Graduation Celebrates Community, Character, and Connection

In a heartfelt ceremony that exemplified the strong values of its community, the Scarsdale Alternative School celebrated its 28 graduating seniors on the evening of Wednesday, June 18th. The intimate commencement was organized by junior students and Graduation Heads, Jacob Dallal, Sam Weston, and Tessa Leroy. In a true display of the “A” School spirit of cooperation, the heads also had support from the other sophomores and juniors who pitched in to buy flowers, decorate, and to help set-up for the meaningful event.

In addition to being organized by students, the Master of Ceremonies for the evening was senior Amey Jha who kept his classmates and their families laughing and nodding in recognition as he made personal and touching introductions, and kept the event moving smoothly along.

The first faculty member to take the podium was A-School Director, Fallon Plunkett. In her opening remarks, Plunkett shared, “Thank you to my A-School colleagues: Amanda Filley, Mike Giordano, Ava Laera, Chris Paulison and Haley Rauch. Without your tireless commitment to making our program into a school of ownership, accountability and trust, it would not be the same. To our senior English teacher Pamela Kroll, your dedication and heart are seen in every minute of your teaching. To Maria Atkinson the A-School Secretary, for without your attention to detail who knows where we would be!”

The teacher’s tireless commitment was made abundantly clear as they took turns delivering heartwarming, individualized speeches that honored each of the graduating seniors. Their detailed remarks demonstrated just how well they get to know each of the graduates not only as students, but as people with differing talents, passions, and dreams.

Listening to the teacher’s memories of each student and their carefully crafted words of advice, it also became clear that the A School faculty does so much more than teach…they inspire, they listen, they support, and they create a remarkable sense of connection and belonging for all of their students and staff.

Though every senior was recognized for their contributions to the SAS community, three students were further acknowledged with a distinctive A-School award. The first award, the Jeanne Award, recognized a senior who best embodies the A-School values of integrity, empathy and service. This year that award was given to Ava Feldman.

The Jen Award which celebrates the student who works behind the scenes to better the community, was awarded to Amelia Grossi-Romano.

And the last award of the evening, the Senior Project Award which honors the best senior project, was bestowed upon Charlotte Stebich.

Closing the ceremony, Ava Feldman, a senior who was elected to speak on behalf of the class, gracefully delivered a poignant speech that reminded her peers of the power of community.

In her opening remarks Plunkett also added, “And finally seniors! While the road to get here wasn’t always easy, it was definitely entertaining. Filled with a constant rotation of seating charts, photo booth pictures during class, a little crashing out over reading quizzes, and a broken bouncy ball. But here we are! Tonight we celebrate you. As the Director of this Community, I now pronounce you ready to graduate.