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Written by: Joanne Wallenstein

Published: 07 June 2026

Created: 07 June 2026

Last Updated: 07 June 2026

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The Greenacres Cereal Box Dominoes was another tremendous success!! Second grade teacher Ms. Mateja said, “Greenacres staff members worked together to organize and set up 2,066 cereal boxes, both the day before and the morning of the big event. All students and staff members carefully filed into the Learning Commons to enjoy the domino fall.”

“The boxes set up in rainbow order in memory of Zachary Snetiker was a beautiful display. Once the first box began to fall one could see students jumping up and down, screaming, cheering, and waving their arms in the air. When the big event came to an end, the fourth graders worked diligently to put all of the boxes into bags to be transported to the Kol Ami Food Pantry. Thank you to all who donated to provide 2,066 boxes of cereal to those in need. We cannot wait for the drive to take place again next year.”

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Written by: Tracy Rozens

Published: 02 June 2026

Created: 02 June 2026

Last Updated: 02 June 2026

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Photo Credit (L to R): Thomas O’Leary, Ian Rozens and Connor Cassidy Troop 2 Scarsdale celebrated one of Scouting's most cherished milestones on May 30 when Connor Cassidy, Thomas O'Leary, and Ian Rozens were honored at an Eagle Scout Court of Honor ceremony held at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Scarsdale.

The Eagle Scout rank is the highest achievement in Scouting America and is earned by fewer than 4 percent of all Scouts. It represents years of dedicated service, rigorous leadership development, and a deep commitment to community.

The ceremony was opened by Troop 2 Senior Patrol Leader Gerard McInnis and included an invocation by Reverend Stephen Ries. Troop 2's Color Guard and Honor Guard presented the colors, and Greater Hudson Valley Council Algonquin District Commissioner Modesto Acevedo led the convocation and presentation of the honorees.

The program featured remarks from an array of distinguished community leaders, including Congressman George Latimer of New York's 16th Congressional District, Westchester County Executive Kenneth Jenkins, Scarsdale Mayor Justin Arest, and Eastchester Town Supervisor Anthony Colavita. Officials presented commendations to the Eagle Scouts. Eastchester Councilwoman Theresa Nicholson offered congratulations, as did Town of Mamaroneck Fire Chief Alex Rapp.

Troop 2 Scoutmaster Brian Bandsma and Assistant Scoutmasters Ray Bradley and Luis Marquez also offered congratulatory remarks to the three Eagle Scouts who they mentored.

Connor Cassidy
Connor recently graduated from Fordham Preparatory School in the Bronx. He earned his Bobcat rank in September 2014 through Cub Scout Pack 33 in Larchmont and joined Troop 2 in December 2020. He earned his Eagle rank in February 2026, serving the troop in leadership roles including Assistant Patrol Leader, Patrol Leader, and Quartermaster. He earned 23 merit badges, with Rifle Shooting as his favorite.

Connor's Eagle Scout project addressed a critical public safety need for the Town of Mamaroneck community. He led a team of Troop 2 Scouts who fanned out across the town and affixed reflective tape to more than 350 fire hydrants in residential neighborhoods, enabling Town of Mamaroneck Fire Department firefighters to quickly locate hydrants in low-visibility conditions. The improvement is expected to have a direct and lasting effect on fire response times, helping protect both lives and property across the community.

Thomas O'Leary
Thomas is graduating from Eastchester High School in June. Thomas's path to Eagle began in September 2015 as a Bobcat in Cub Scout Pack 353. He joined Troop 2 in March 2022 and earned his Eagle rank in February 2026. Thomas served in a variety of troop leadership roles including Historian, Chaplain Aid, Assistant Patrol Leader, Scribe, and Assistant Senior Patrol Leader. He earned 26 merit badges, with Cooking being his favorite.

Thomas's Eagle project benefited the Greenburgh Nature Center, a beloved community institution that connects local residents through conservation efforts and provides sanctuary for rescued wildlife. He designed and constructed a new bulletin board in the playground area, giving the nature center a more effective way to share upcoming events and activities with the thousands of visitors it serves each year. The nature center held personal meaning for Thomas, who made many childhood memories there, making the opportunity to give back especially rewarding.

Ian Rozens
Ian is graduating in June from Scarsdale High School. He began his Scouting journey in September 2014 as a Bobcat in Cub Scout Pack 60, earning his Webelos rank by June 2019 before joining Troop 2. He steadily advanced through the ranks, earning Eagle in August 2025 and subsequently achieved the Gold Eagle Palm in September 2025. Along the way he served in several leadership roles, including Outdoor Ethics Guide, Assistant Patrol Leader, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, and Senior Patrol Leader in 2024 and 2025. He earned 32 merit badges, with Welding as his personal favorite.

For his Eagle Scout service project, Ian managed a team that built and installed a 15-foot-tall trail gateway featuring an antique cross on the grounds of the Graymoor Monastery in Garrison, N.Y. — the headquarters of the Franciscan Brothers and Sisters of the Atonement. The marker holds special significance: Troop 2 has made an annual "Do a Good Turn" service weekend to Graymoor every year since 1938.

More information about Troop 2 Scarsdale and their activities is available at: https://www.troop2scarsdale.org.

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Written by: Joanne Wallenstein

Published: 27 May 2026

Created: 27 May 2026

Last Updated: 30 May 2026

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Neil SriramGraduating Scarsdale High School seniors, Neil Sriram and Joyce Yuxin Liu have been named as two of 627 semifinalists in the 2026 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. The semifinalists were selected from over 6,500 candidates expected to graduate from U.S. high schools in the year 2026.

Inclusion in the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program, now in its 62nd year, is one of the highest honors bestowed upon graduating high schoolseniors. Scholars are selected on the basis of their accomplishments in many areas-academic and artistic success, accomplishment in career and technical fields, leadership, strong character and involvement in school and the community.

Joyce Yuxin LiuThe U.S. Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964 by Executive Order of the President to recognize some of our nation's most distinguished graduating seniors for their accomplishments in academics, leadership, and service to school and community. It was expanded in 1979 to recognize students demonstrating exceptional scholarship and talent in the visual, creative, and performing arts. In 2015, the program was expanded once again to recognize students who demonstrate ability and accomplishment in career and technical fields. Annually, up to 161 U.S. Presidential Scholars are chosen from among that year's senior class, representing excellence in education and the promise of greatness in America's youth. Each year Scholars are presented with a Presidential Scholars Medallion.

A distinguished panel of educators have reviewed these submissions and selected 627 semifinalists. In the coming months, the final selection of the high school seniors who will be named as the 2026 U.S. Presidential Scholars will be announced by U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon.

Junior League Volunteer Service Awards

The Junior League of Central Westchester (JLCW) recently hosted its annual Volunteer Service Award ceremony, recognizing four outstanding female high school juniors from our local school districts.

This year, we presented the award to:

-Alexandra Ziff Glueck from Irvington High School
-Ryan Hirshhorn from Scarsdale High School
-Hayley Brick from White Plains High School
-Smera Thekkenmar from Somers High School

The League a large number of impressive applications. Each award recipient demonstrated an exceptional commitment to volunteerism and public service. The award aims to celebrate and encourage young women who are making a meaningful impact in their communities and to inspire their continued civic engagement.

Each of the four finalists received a $1,000 award, presented during the May JLCW general membership meeting in Scarsdale at the historic Wayside Cottage.

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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