Thursday, Nov 21st
intelKudos to Scarsdale High School student Ruth Dorothy Kagan who was selected as a semifinalist in Intel’s 2011 Science Talent Search, along with 18 other Westchester County high school students who were recognized for their outstanding research. She was honored for her project titled, “Limbic Areas Influencing the Posterior Thalamic Nucleus May Explain Aspects of Migraine Headaches.” See her photo at right where she is pictured with County Executive Rob Astorino and Science teacher Richard Clark at a reception on Monday, January 24 at the County Office building. The Intel Science Talent Search is the nation's most prestigious pre-college science competition and Westchester's semifinalists represent six percent of the nation's semifinalists.

teentourStan Rosenberg SHS ’10 is a freshman at NYU and the Founder and Chairman of Trip of a Lifetime. whose mission is to provide funding for underprivileged students to go on summer travel experiences. The completely student-run and operated organization has twelve members, ranging in age from 15-19. Since its inception in the fall of 2008, the organization has raised over $75,000 and has sent five deserving teenagers on life-changing trips to the West Coast. This year, Trip of a Lifetime plans to send 4-7 students on summer trips.

The idea for the organization stemmed from an amazing travel experience Stan had three years ago. In the summer of 2007, he went on a teen tour to the West Coast and the experience changed his life. Besides seeing awe-inspiring sites such as the Grand Canyon and The Golden Gate Bridge, the trip allowed him to develop self-confidence and leadership skills and gave him the impetus to start the organization.

From his experience, he realized that traveling is contagious; one positive experience can impact many lives. This is the premise Trip of a Lifetime is built on. The vision is for students to use these amazing experiences to make an impact in their community. One of the students who went on a trip this summer remarked how: “I’ve always wanted to help out in my community but was never motivated enough. This trip was the motivation I needed. I am now going to look into assisting in a hospital or soup kitchen. Volunteering is an easy way to help out in the community that can make a big difference. This trip gave me the confidence to really be a big impact my community in the coming years and the rest of my life.”

Trip of a Lifetime works with local high schools and organizations to identify students for these trips. All eligible students must be in ninth or tenth grade, qualify for financial need, and use the experience to make a difference in their communities. In order to be considered, any student must fill out an application and get a recommendation from their dean or organization leader. The group has partnered with a national teen tour corporation to provide discounted trips and to ensure that as many students as possible are able to take advantage of this opportunity. All applications are due by March 15th 2011. More details about the application and the trips can be found on their website: www.projecttoal.org or email Stan Rosenberg at [email protected] .

 

plattus1Westchester Jewish Community Services held their annual “Have a Heart for the Holidays” luncheon at the home of Linda Plattus on Friday December 10th. Attendees brought gifts and gift cards to be given to children who attend the Amazing Afternoon after-school program at the Edward Williams School in Mt. Vernon.

Mary Figueroa, Program Coordinator at Edward Williams spoke to the group about the program and how these gifts will benefit the disadvantaged children who go to the program. She also discussed the meaningful relationships Scarsdale children who volunteer at the school have built with the program’s students.

Over the past five years, Scarsdale families have donated close to 1,000 toys and gift certificates for plattus2developmentally disabled and disadvantaged children and adults who are served by Westchester Jewish Community Services (WJCS). If you were not able to attend the luncheon, but wish to donate a gift, please contact Meryl Lewis, WJCS, 845 North Broadway, White Plains, NY 10603.

 

hotchocolateWarm some hearts at Evan and Joshua Greenberg’s fifth Annual Hot Cocoa stand while they raise money to help children with cancer. Event will take place at Last Licks in Scarsdale, 1076 Wilmot Road, Scarsdale, NY 914-725-5932. The dates and times are: January 14, 3-5pm, January 15, 12-5pm and January 16 from 11am-4pm.

Sponsors include: Last Licks, Chocolations, The Peak, Party by Lisa & Company, and Bellizzi Restaurant.

Pediatric Cancer Foundation President, Cheryl Rosen, embraces this event and says about the boys: “Evan and Joshua Greenberg embody what our charity is about. These boys demonstrate that our mission to ... hold the hand of a child… can begin at a young age with small hands. Evan and Joshua’s energy, spirit and kindness are priceless. This cocoa stand is a success of the heart. “

Pediatric Cancer Foundation has been a leader, raising awareness and funds for childhood cancer for 40 years. As a non profit organization, PCF funds the vital work of hospitals by allocating money for treatment, patient/parent care, fellowships and research equipment in the study of pediatric cancer. To learn more about how you can get involved with Pediatric Cancer Foundation go to: www.pcfweb.org or call: 914-777-3127.

 

 

juniorleaguephotoThe Junior League of Central Westchester (JLCW) is inviting women from Eastchester, Greenburgh, Scarsdale and White Plains to its semi-annual “Recruiting Coffees” at historic Wayside Cottage on January 13, 2011 at either 9:30 a.m. or 8:00 p.m.

Prospective members will learn about the JLCW’s efforts to improve the lives of our neighbors in need. New members enter a training course where they work together to complete a short-term community service project. Recent projects have included Reading Fun Day benefitting Eastchester Community Action Program (ECAP) and Healthy Kids Day for Head Start Preschool children in White Plains. They will learn to use resources and support offered by the JLCW.

The JLCW’s upcoming projects include: Family Literacy Program, engaging members in reading activities with Head Start students to build literacy skills; Kids in the Kitchen, combating childhood obesity by teaching children about nutrition and exercise; Safety Town, arming children with information about fire safety, traffic safety, poison issues and stranger danger; TGIF Workshops, helping to empower girls to reach their full potential and to understand, value and assert their rights; and Grace Church Soup Kitchen, providing 1,500 meals annually to local residents.

JLCW members have been effecting positive change in the area for over 60 years. As JLCW President Allison Weiss puts it, “Our communities need our help now more than ever before, and the League is proud to be able to make a difference in the lives of the individuals we serve. And, while working to improve our community, League members have the opportunity to develop new skills and to meet a great group of likeminded women.”

The coffees will be a chance to meet current JLCW members, get to know other prospective members and to enjoy a visit to Wayside Cottage, a historic landmark that has recently completed a “period” renovation.

The coffees will be held on Thursday, January 13 at 9:30 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. at Wayside Cottage, 1039 Post Road, , Scarsdale. Please RSVP by January 6 to [email protected] or by phone to (914) 723-6130.