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Written by: Joanne Wallenstein

Published: 18 May 2026

Created: 18 May 2026

Last Updated: 18 May 2026

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(The following letter was written by Art Rublin.)

To the Editor,

I am writing in support of Erica German’s candidacy for School Board, and in support of the proposed Budget and Bond.

I am writing in my individual capacity - not as Resolution Chair on the School Board Nominating Committee’s Administrative Committee or Chair of the Coalition for Scarsdale Schools.

On the eve of Tuesday’s vote, I offer 8 reasons to vote for Erica to serve Scarsdale students and the community at large on the School Board:

1. Erica has 17 years of experience volunteering and leading parent communities in Scarsdale’s schools. And she doesn’t just have experience - she has accomplished a great deal for our schools, leveraging a strong skillset that includes extraordinary listening and collaboration skills. As President-Elect of Scarsdale's Parent-Teacher Council last year, for example, Erica was very involved in discussions regarding the institution of an electronic grade reporting system at Scarsdale High School. As President of the Quaker Ridge PTA, Erica helped organize three large-scale community-building events designed not just for students, but also to create meaningful connections among parents. Please see letters and other testimonials supporting Erica for School Board, including from PTA/C colleagues and from former School Board Trustees and Officers.

2. In part with the perspective of a former Board of Education member, it is clear to me that Erica is, frankly, the best candidate for the BOE role, particularly at a time that is an inflection point for Scarsdale schools in a number of respects - including budgeting, curriculum and challenges to relations between students.

3. Regarding listening: Erica’s campaign materials emphasize her firm belief in “Listening First.” Erica’s work as a psychiatrist revolves around listening. And Erica has spent years as a Scarsdale parent leader listening to school families and driving dialogue with school building and District leadership. Again, please see the letters linked above.

4. With respect to engaging on District issues as a School Board member: I am confident that Erica would distinguish herself as a thoughtful trustee who would ask probing questions, listen carefully, and engage with Dr. Patrick, her BOE colleagues, parents and other District stakeholders to vigorously address the issues. Erica has engaged in this way as PT Council President and, prior to that, as Quaker Ridge PTA President.

5. On budget issues: Erica is best equipped to engage on and drive discussion on school budget issues as a BOE member. Erica has been engaged on school budget issues for years as a PTA/C leader, this year as PTC President. Over the years, this has included analyzing and critiquing budget and bond proposals and engagement with Dr. Patrick on expenditure and fund balance issues. Erica also runs her own medical practice/business and is responsible for all of its budgeting and financial matters.

6. On curriculum: in the League of Women Voters of Scarsdale candidate forum, Erica was the one candidate who noted that the Board has not only the authority but also the responsibility under New York State law and Scarsdale BOE policy to be actively involved in developing, maintaining and evaluating curriculum, not just through the budget process. For those who have concerns about curriculum, for example in mathematics and reading, I submit that Erica is the best candidate to address the concerns. Among other things, Erica would bring to bear her experience engaging on curriculum issues over the years with District leadership. Here, as with so many District issues, substantial experience constituting active engagement within Scarsdale schools matters.

7. On education more generally: Erica has led parent engagement on various issues. Erica has been actively engaged on curriculum and special education issues, for example. Erica has perspective not only as a parent leader but also as a parent of a current Scarsdale elementary school student and a current Scarsdale High School student. And their brother and sister went through K-12 and are SHS graduates.

8. Erica is also well-equipped to address the recent incidents of anti-semitism in the schools and other challenges to students’ feeling safe and respected at school. A granddaughter of Holocaust survivors, Erica is quite sensitive to the scourge of anti-semitism. Erica has made clear that she believes that “schools have an important responsibility in two areas: discipline and education.” Erica is sensitive to the priority of “programming, education and faculty development that emphasizes respect, understanding of the diversity of the Scarsdale community, and a strong sense of belonging for all students.” On a parallel track, Erica has said, “There must be clear, consistent and firm enforcement of the student code of conduct so that behavior is addressed appropriately and expectations are understood.”

I believe that voters benefit this year from having a choice of whom to vote for in this contested election. That said - regarding the SBNC, for what it’s worth: for those who are interested, below are thoughts. Understood that the below is lengthy. Often, the devil is in the details.

By way of background, the SBNC is a committee of 30 members that, with a majority vote, i.e. just 16 votes needed, nominates School Board candidates for the ballot for a School Board election. Note that most of this year’s SBNC members were elected in uncontested elections. And even contested elections generally do not draw many voters.

From my perspective, when the SBNC works as designed – representatives selected in contested SBNC elections, focused on nominating candidates without agendas - the process is helpful. But in a given year, the SBNC does not work as designed, for one or a combination of reasons. As former SBNC member, former co-chair of the SBNC Administrative Committee and former Edgewood and High School PTA President Nan Berke wrote in scarsdale10583.com last Sunday, “I…have seen times when the SBNC gets it wrong. This tends to happen when personal agendas dominate the group….Fortunately, the SBNC is structured to allow for the possibility of outside candidates, making it more democratic. Non-SBNC candidates have run and won before, and served this community well.”

Erica, being transparent, has said that she sought the nomination of the SBNC. The majority of this year’s committee appears to have deprioritized experience. Whereas Erica has 17 years of experience volunteering and leading in Scarsdale schools, the individuals nominated by the SBNC this year do not appear to have experience leading, or engaging, in the work in Scarsdale schools. To be clear, this is not to denigrate the SBNC nominees. I have worked with Omer in connection with the Scarsdale Forum, and appreciate his work in that organization. This is just to note the difference in experience engaging in Scarsdale schools.

There has been mention in letters by supporters of the slate of what might have been considered by the SBNC in making their nomination. The fact is that experience is the only specific criterion cited in the SBNC Resolution for consideration by the SBNC of candidates, beyond the general proposition of qualifications to serve. The resolution states in the one section in which any specific criterion is referenced, “..[T]he Committee shall question candidates only on their experience and qualifications for Board of Education services and not on their views or stances in connection with specific issues” (III.C.2.(c).(i); emphasis supplied). See the SBNC Resolution at https://scarsdalesbnc.org/about-us/documents/.

Nan Berke wrote in her letter, “Education is Scarsdale’s industry; I think it is vital to pick someone who has shown a commitment to thoughtfully learning about how our schools operate.”

I agree. I believe a vote for Erica on Tuesday is a vote for the benefit of Scarsdale students and the community.

Relatedly, I support the proposed Budget and Bond and encourage a Yes vote on each.

Arthur Rublin
22 Donellan Road

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Written by: Joanne Wallenstein

Published: 13 May 2026

Created: 13 May 2026

Last Updated: 16 May 2026

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National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC®) announced this year’s National Merit $2500 Scholarship winners. Five students from Scarsdale High School and two from Edgemont High School were among the 2,500 Merit Scholar designees were chosen from a talent pool of more than 15,000 outstanding Finalists in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program.

National Merit $2500 Scholarship winners are the Finalists in each state judged to have the strongest combination of accomplishments, skills, and potential for success in rigorous college studies. The number of winners named in each state is proportional to the state’s percentage of the nation’s graduating high school seniors.

These scholars were selected by a committee of college admissions officers and high school counselors, who appraised a substantial amount of information submitted by both the Finalists and their high schools: the academic record, including difficulty level of subjects studied and grades earned; scores from the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®); contributions and leadership in school and community activities; an essay written by the Finalist; and a recommendation written by a high school official.

Here are the local winners:

Scarsdale High School

Hana Coulson: Probable career: Theater
Joyce Liu: Probable career: Education
Anish Mehta: Probable career: Medicine
Mateo Sebastian Polak: Undecided
Alina Yang: Probable career: Medicine

Edgemont High School

Siddanth Karthik: Probable career: Biotechnology
Lauren Jhon Lee: Probable career: Public Heath

National Merit $2500 Scholarship Winners

NMSC finances most of these single-payment National Merit $2500 Scholarships. Corporations and company foundations that sponsor awards through NMSC help underwrite these scholarships with grants they provide in lieu of paying administrative fees. Donations made to NMSC’s President’s Fund also provide funding for some National Merit $2500 Scholarship awards. Scholars may use their awards at any regionally accredited U.S. college or university.

2026 National Merit Scholarship Competition

This year’s National Merit Scholarship Program began in October 2024 when high school juniors took the PSAT/NMSQT, which served as an initial screen of program entrants. Last fall, the highest-scoring participants in each state, representing less than one percent of the nation’s high school seniors, were named Semifinalists on a state-representational basis. More than 16,000 Semifinalists had an opportunity to continue in the competition.

From the Semifinalist group, over 15,000 students met the very high academic standards and other requirements to advance to the Finalist level of the competition. By the conclusion of the 2026 program, about 6,700 Finalists will have earned the “Merit Scholar” title and received a total of nearly $24 million in college scholarships.

NMSC, a not-for-profit organization that operates without government assistance, was founded in 1955 specifically to conduct the National Merit Scholarship Program. The majority of scholarships offered each year are underwritten by approximately 300 independent corporate and college sponsors that share NMSC’s goals of honoring scholastically talented youth and encouraging academic excellence at all levels of education.

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Written by: Jeremy Gorrin

Published: 03 May 2026

Created: 03 May 2026

Last Updated: 03 May 2026

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Senior Stella Van Arsdale pulling a flag.On Wednesday night, the Scarsdale Raiders took on the Mamaroneck Tigers at Butler Field. These two teams had played each other a week before in a close game, ending in a Scarsdale win. This game was Scarsdale’s senior night, so they had determination to win, but Mamaroneck also wanted to get payback for last week’s game.

Senior Gia Asen running with the ball.Mamaroneck won the coin toss and started with the ball, so Scarsdale had to play defense. Scarsdale was able to force them to a fourth down and Mammo was forced to punt it on their first possession. Once Scarsdale received the punt, they attempted to push the ball up the field, but were stopped. They were also forced to punt the ball. Like the first possession, Mammo was stopped, and Scarsdale had the ball back. But as Scarsdale went to throw the ball, a Mamaroneck defender intercepted the pass. Mamaroneck was able to run it to the endzone, and as she was about to step into the endzone, a Scarsdale player pulled her flag, but it was still counted as a touchdown. After the touchdown, Scarsdale succeeded in stopping the extra point. And with a minute and 25 seconds left in the first quarter, Scarsdale was unable to get a touchdown.

The second quarter started out much like the beginning of the first. Scarsdale couldn’t score on their first two possessions, but then Mamaroneck was able to score a touchdown. Scarsdale got the ball back, but was unable to get very far downfield. Mamaroneck then proceeded to get another touchdown, but with a controversial call from the ref. As the player from Mamaroneck caught the ball, she was out of bounds, but the refs still called it a touchdown. After the touchdown, Scarsdale was able to defend Mammo from scoring an extra point.

At the start of the third quarter, Scarsdale got the ball back, and they were finally able to get downfield. Scarsdale was then able to score a touchdown, by sophomore Reese Newman running it in. Scarsdale was unable to get the extra point, and Mamaroneck ended the third up 18-6.Junior Reese Newman running the ball.

At the start of the fourth quarter, Scarsdale was able to get a good run down the field, but was unfortunately unable to score a touchdown. It went back and forth for a while between Scarsdale and Mamaroneck going down and back. Eventually, with two and a half minutes left, Mamaroneck scored their last touchdown, but no extra point. After this, Scarsdale decided to put all the seniors in, and it was some of their best defense they played all game. As the game came to a close, senior Lexie Litofsky got an interception. The final score of the game was 24-6 and Mamaroneck is the second team this season to beat Scarsdale.


Freshman Jordana Esterman throwing the ball.

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Written by: Dave Taber

Published: 26 April 2026

Created: 26 April 2026

Last Updated: 26 April 2026

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The Scarsdale bench erupts in celebration after the Raiders push across their first run of the game.The Scarsdale High School Varsity Baseball Team traveled to Mamaroneck High School on Thursday, April 24th. The game was a tight pitchers' duel through 6 innings and the Raiders then exploded for 7 runs in the top of the 7th and left with an 8-4 victory. Starting pitcher Kojiro Hirata was at the center of the rally, diving headfirst to score the go-ahead run, and Finn Pearson capped the inning with a bases-loaded double.

Alejandro Azpiazu-Cabassa (#18) hauls in a catch in right field.

The win moves Scarsdale to 10–2 on the season, good for second place in the AAA division of Section 1. The Raiders will look to keep the momentum going with an away game at White Plains on Monday, April 27th.

Max Gashalter (#10) tags out a runner at third base as Kojiro Hirata (#6) backs up the throw.

PHOTOS
Photos by Dave Taber of Shots of the Game. To see more game photos and/or download photos, please visit https://www.shotsofthegame.com/

Kojiro Hirata (#6) delivers a pitch to the plate.

Noah Kent (#12) makes a sliding catch in right field.

 Bret Hole (#2) settles under a fly ball for an easy catch in center field.

Finn Pearson (#4) tries to throw out a runner while Matthew Zoland (#1) watches.

Finn Pearson (#4) leaps to catch a soft liner.

Kojiro Hirata (#6) dives for the plate to score the go-ahead run in the top of the seventh.

 Kojiro Hirata (#6) and Aidan Dunsky (#34) celebrate as the Raiders take the lead.

Finn Pearson (#4) pumps his fist after his bases-loaded double.

Nathan Ulrich (#15) delivers a pitch in relief.