What's In A Name?
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- Written by Ellie Month
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School is officially in session and while some students are excited to see friends, meet teachers, and use all their Staples splurges, for seniors September means it's time to write college applications. Many are dreading an upcoming fall filled with applications, pestering parents, and an increased workload. Faced with making what for many is the biggest decision of their lives, seniors struggle with the idea that where they go to college will define them for the rest of their lives, making the process of applying overwhelming and stressful.
The New York Times opinion columnist Frank Bruni visited Scarsdale this summer to discuss his new book, "Where You Go Is Not Who You'll Be: An Antidote to the College Admissions Mania," in which he argues that the college name on a diploma does not determine student's fate. However, it seems pretty hard for seniors here to believe that. We asked three high school seniors and two Scarsdale parents whether they thought the college students go to will define them, and we got some interesting answers.
Senior 1: (MP)
"I don't want to let the college I go to define me, but it's really hard not to let it with all the stigmas and standards Scarsdale sets for college. My peers like to base their fellow student's success on what college they go to. While it makes sense because students work really hard in high school, there are a lot of exceptional schools that Scarsdale students don't know about so they assume they're not good. This misconception makes students applying to these schools feel uncomfortable from the judgmental undertones. However, everyone is going through the same application process so no one is being singled out and we all somehow bond through our stresses. I really want to make the most of my last year of high school with my peers, and I worry that I'm going to be so busy and overwhelmed with college stuff that I might miss out on the fun. However, I'm going to do my best and I'm hoping for a great year and an even greater second semester!"
Senior 2: (SF)
"I'm not worried for college applications, but I do think the college I will go to will define me. The definition isn't in the school name, it's in the person I'll become through my experiences and the people who will influence me over my four years. I think that college is what you make of it, and it doesn't matter about the name or status of the school. All that matters is that I can find stimulating, inspiring people to help me in my learning process. I also think it's important that I make connections for future opportunities, so I need to make sure I put myself out there and take advantage of what my college has to offer. I have found colleges I would feel comfortable at and would grow at that I don't need to fret about getting into. But Scarsdale's standards for college are crazy high. The average SAT scores for the country are around 500 for each section, and I hear kids at school freaking out about not hitting 730. Because of these standards and how well Scarsdale prepares us, I think we're all going to go to great schools and be successful. I try to remind myself of that and not worry too much about the name of the college I will attend."
Senior 3: (CS)
"I don't think the college I get into will define me, I think the definition comes from the person you are. College is what you make of it and can be good or bad regardless of a school's name. The connections I make in college are important for life, but the specific school I go to won't really give me an advantage; the person I am, and my ambition and goals are what will make the difference. I have goals set for myself and I know I will achieve them regardless of my college's name. If I work with good intentions and have integrity from what I've done in high school, I will know I tried my hardest to get in where I do. Regardless of where I go I'll be able to better myself and the world around me and I just remind myself of that."
Parent 1: (JM)
"I think the definition from college comes in waves. For a senior in high school, college defines kids the most because everyone is constantly talking about it and the students are highly competitive. Peers use colleges to judge one another, but the second they graduate the judgements go away since high school is over. Then, a new chapter starts in college and students are influenced by the culture at their schools. Through the way their peers behave, dress, and the school's atmosphere. Then, once out of college, adult's alma matters are a part of who they are but it's not the only defining factor. By then, students have matured into individuals with their own ideas and personalities."
Parent 2: (GH)
"In the short term the college a student attends does define them, but in the long term it does not. College is a big milestone and is the first time many students are living on their own, so they want to be part of a college family and ideology. However, success is not hinged on the college attended, but rather on how a student behaves and lives. The success is determined through whether or not they are hardworking, passionate, focused and observant. Often the smartest or talented people are not the ones who succeed. Success often comes at random moments and one needs to be ready to act fast. Just being a well rated school won't make up for a person's lack of work ethic and interest. Today's world is so stressed with material success and entitlement that people are just looking for any hook or short cut to give them an advantage over others. So, I think that when a student is in college it is a defining factor, but in the long term all that matters is the type of person they are."
As Frank Bruni explained in his book, the path to college is not an easy one; he argues that the person the student becomes is what matters, rather than the brand value of the institution they attend. Even though we all like to tell ourselves that the experience we have in college will be far more important than the status of the school, it's difficult to ignore the rankings in U.S. News and World Report and select a realistic of schools to target.
On the first day of my senior year, my teachers were already consoling us and assuring us that we would all get into great schools. It was only the first day and the teachers were already anticipating a stress-filled year! Though I squirm when friends or relatives ask me where I plan to apply, I know that everyone who applied last year is now off to college. So come this time next year, I guess I will be on my way too, and, as Mr. Bruni says, I will be successful based on my merits not on a college name or image.
Contributor Ellie Month is a senior at Scarsdale High School who writes for the school newspaper, rides horses and has lived in Scarsdale for her whole life.
SHS Students Build Friendships and a Playground in Uganda
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- Written by Patrick Lyons
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When I formed the Park and Recreation Club at SHS with three friends, we never dreamed that we would have the chance to travel to Africa to build the playground we worked to fund. Hayden Carey, Michael Fialkow, Drake Weissman and I created the club at Scarsdale High School with the mission of helping kids in underprivileged areas enjoy their childhoods. We ended up taking an adventurous trip to Uganda where we built a playground and also met the kids who would play on it and learned about life in Uganda.
When we launched the club, we were uncertain about how we would accomplish our mission. So we began by doing some research and ultimately decided that the club would raise funds to build a playground in Africa through a UK based organization called East African Playgrounds. The organization sends volunteers to Africa to build playgrounds in Uganda. It seemed like a perfect fit.
Our club raised money by organizing pizza days and other fundraising events and forwarded our first few donations to the organization. We then learned that there was an opportunity for us to go to Uganda with a group of university students from the UK. We were ecstatic to have this chance to physically make a difference. With the excitement, came the nervousness of the unknown; travelling to a third world country in Africa where our safety could be an issue.
Three of the club's officers, Simon Brovender, Hayden Carey and myself decided to make the trip. We each needed to raise an additional $1,000 that would go directly to fund the playground. Through GoFundme.com we were able to raise over $4,000 combined. We were set to go.
Sitting in my seat on the plane before the long flight to Uganda, the reality of the journey started to set in and I grew nervous and uncertain. When we landed in Entebbe, the contrast between the US and Uganda was quickly apparent as we were escorted through the airport by armed guards.
The next day we set off on a four-hour car ride to Buwengie Blue School where we would build the playground. Driving on dirt roads we passed through slums with dilapidated houses and half-naked children roaming the streets. Half the population of Uganda is under 18 so many of the people on the streets were very young kids. I realized that that this trip was going to be like nothing I had ever done before.
Eventually we made it to a guarded gate and entered the school area which was a group of very simple buildings around a courtyard where we would be building our playground. Ten of us lived together at the school with only a mattress and a mosquito net as our bed. With no running water, our only water came from the local well and the bathroom and shower situations were extremely dire. It took a while to adapt to our new home.
East African Playgrounds did provide a local chef to prepare local delicacies for our meals. We ate chapati with onions, peppers and eggs, and lots of fresh fruit.
The work schedule was pretty rigorous. We woke at 6 am and worked straight until 1pm. The 
organization provided four local builders, Dan, Esa, Stvn and Jeffrey, who were trained workers who taught us how to build the playground. We did various tasks such as digging holes, cementing, soiling, sanding and painting. None of us had any experience doing manual labor. The builders had their work cut our for them but we were quick learners and developed good relationships with our trainers.
After lunch, we got to do activities with the students such as play soccer, teach them games from America and learn games from Uganda. Their games did not make much sense to us but hanging with the kids was always lots of fun. We were not just there to build a playground but to also interact with the students and the community so that we could make a bigger impact on their lives. Our afternoons together were the highlight of the students' day. They spoke only a little English but we found ways communicate and have fun. Every night we would go to the Trading Center, which is essentially a small village, where we would be trailed by a large group of little kids who have never seen a white person. It was kind of strange to get so much attention but it was also quite funny because all the kids were so excited to see us and would scream "hi!"
My previous worries about safety were quickly forgotten due to the kindness of the Ugandan people and the fun we had each day.
After a couple weeks, we eventually finished the playground. On the opening day, the kids played for hours on the playground. To see the pure joy in the kids' eyes reminded me of my own childhood at the Greenacres playground. We had achieved our goal.
Knowing that I could be part of something that makes so many kids happy makes the weeks of hard work and unfavorable living conditions worth any personal discomfort. I never thought I would be upset to leave Uganda but it proved to be a trip that I will never forget and would be happy to do again.
Patrick Lyons
Vice President
Parks and Recreation Club
Scarsdale High School
Savor and Support Event to Benefit My Sister's Place
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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On Tuesday, August 4th, Mercedes-Benz of White Plains will host the 6th Annual Savor & Support event at the CV Rich Mansion in White Plains to benefit My Sisters' Place. My Sisters' Place, a White Plains based organization, provides education, awareness, and legal services to those suffering from, or at risk of domestic violence.
Nearly 300 professionals and community members are expected to attend this year's Savor & Support on Tuesday, August 4th from 6-9pm. There will be dinner by the bite, music, and a silent auction. All proceeds will go to My Sisters' Place.
"We're excited that we have helped Savor & Support to become such a popular and anticipated event," says Gary Turco, General Manager of Mercedes Benz of White Plains. "We wish we could have had it in the showroom, but needing a larger venue is a good problem to have!"
Chazz and Gianna Palminteri arewill attend the event and share Chazz's new vodka, Bivi and Gianna's blog, Hollywood Mom. Their children, Dante and Gabriella will entertain with a special musical performance. A new partner of My Sisters' Place, the Palminteri family is excited to be a part of the event.
Other sponsors of Savor & Support include: Titan and Revo Marketing, AutoTrader.com, Edmunds.com, Hollywood Mom, and media sponsor, Westchester Magazine.
Tickets are $50 per person. To purchase tickets, please click here.
Friends Gather to Savor and Support My Sister's Place
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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On Tuesday, August 4th, Mercedes-Benz of White Plains hosted the 6th Annual Savor & Support at the CV Rich Mansion to benefit My Sisters' Place (MSP). Over 200 guests attended this successful event which raised over $25,000.
Mercedes-Benz of White Plains has supported hundreds of local organizations through various philanthropic efforts over the years. My Sisters' Place, though, a White Plains based organization that provides education, awareness, and legal services to those suffering from, or at risk of domestic violence, has developed an excellent partnership with Mercedes Benz of White Plains.
This after-work affair served to highlight this partnership, as MSP awarded General Manager Gary Turco with a plaque for 5 years of outstanding service. "It has been a pleasure getting to know this wonderful organization; we are so lucky to be in the position to support them and help them to truly change the lives of so many people in our community."
Mr. Turco presented MSP with $10,000 check and announced that Mercedes-Benz of White Plains will donate $50 to MSP for every new vehicle sold during the month of August and $1,000 for anyone who mentions MSP when purchasing a car.
"We are deeply appreciative of our partnership with Mercedes-Benz of White Plains," said My Sisters' Place CEO Karen Cheeks-Lomax, Esq. "Savor & Support is now a summer party staple driven by Gary Turco's commitment to stand with MSP and raise awareness about and shed light on intimate partner violence and human trafficking."
The event featured a silent auction, raffle, live music, massage lounge from Oasis Day Spa, and a special vodka bar, which featured Chazz and Gianna Palminteri's new vodka, Bivi.
Sponsors of Savor & Support included: Hollywood Mom, Auto Trader, Revo Marketing, Edmunds, Titan Outdoor, Motor Trek, Digital Airstrike, Westchester Magazine, and Caperberry Events.
Community Garden in Bloom in Fox Meadow
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A community garden at the intersection of Wayside Lane and Harcourt Roads is in full bloom. Fox Meadow resident and professional landscape designer, Elaine Yellen donated her time, initially designing this mixed perennial, low maintenance garden, and continues to lend her expertise to continue to make it look stunning year after year.
The perennials include: Rudbeckia, Russian Sage, Sedum, Coreopsis Zagreb, Shasta Daisies, Liatrus, Malva, Lamb's Ear, Day Lilies and some Pennisetum grass.
Funded by the Fox Meadow Neighborhood Association, the garden includes a sprinkler system that was donated by Agua Turf fifteen years ago and helps to water the garden.
