Monday, Dec 23rd

Scarsdale High School’s Mock Trial team finished first in Westchester County this year, in a tournament sponsored by the Westchester County Bar Association. The team, in its ninth year of competition, also won the county championship in its first year of existence.

This year’s case imagined a Ponzi scheme concocted by Shawn Miller, a stand-in for real life schemer Bernard Madoff. In six rounds of trial – sometimes prosecuting Mr. Miller, and sometimes defending him – Scarsdale emerged victorious.

“We've been practicing hard since early December when the New York State Bar Association released this year's case,” said Ethan Gottlieb, a defense attorney for the team. Since “trial season,” which started in February, Gottlieb said the team has been practicing more frequently and fervently. The team faculty advisor and coach is SHS Social Studies teacher Daivd Heyman.

Team members pictured here are:

Curan Mehra - Defense/Prosecution Attorney
Ethan Gottlieb - Defense Attorney
Vidya Venkatakrishnan - Defense Attorney/Defense Witness
Callie Gilbert - Defense/Prosecution Attorney
Morgan Hecht - Prosecution Witness
Brian Guggenheimer - Defense Witness
Lisle Winston - Defense Witness
Peter Herman - Prosecution Witness
Harrison Shapiro - Prosecution Witness

One out of every 110 children in America today has autism, according to the latest data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. It’s a statistic that members of Team Scarsdale C.H.I.LD. know all too well.

Since 2002, this dedicated group of parents, friends and educators has joined forces and fund-raising talents to walk in the annual Westchester/Fairfield Walk Now for Autism Speaks. Their mission is two-fold: to promote greater awareness of this devastating disorder in our community, and to raise money for desperately needed scientific research. In its nine years as a team, Scarsdale C.H.I.L.D. has raised more than one million dollars for autism research; each year, it wins Autism Speaks’ award for most successful fund raising walk team in the nation. “It’s the best way we know to address this urgent global health crisis that has impacted so many of us personally,” says Scarsdale C.H.I.L.D. team captain Liane Carter.

On Sunday, June 6th, the team will again be walking in the 2010 Walk Now for Autism Speaks on the campus of Manhattanville College in Purchase, New York. A fun-filled, family friendly event, it will feature a petting zoo, bounce castles, face painting, temporary tattoos, music, a stage show, costume characters, kids’ games, refreshments and a Resource Fair featuring special needs service providers and programs. “It’s a wonderful experience to be with so many others who are passionate about this cause,” says Liane. “We pull together as one strong voice for the autism community.”

And it also takes a village. A dedicated group of Scarsdale High School students have organized their own Autism Speaks Student Club that runs fund-raising events throughout the school year. “When I first started the club almost two years ago, I wanted to change the way people looked at and treated individuals with autism spectrum disorders,” says Max Rolison, SHS junior. “I knew raising awareness about autism was an important step to take; however, it wasn't until I had already started the club and it became one of the largest and most successful clubs in the school that I really realized how crucial it was that people better understand autism.”

In support of Autism Awareness Month in April, club members enlisted the help of Leah’s Hair Salon to offer free blue hair extensions for a $10 donation, have run a trunk show at LF, and will be hosting an hors d’oeuvres and silent auction benefit April 24th. Club officer Toby Millstein, a senior, says that for her, the walk in June is particularly significant: “It's a day where I am reminded of just how important my work for SHS Autism Speaks really is. ”Last year, the club received the 2009 Top Autism Speaks student club recognition award. Christie Godowski, Greater Hudson Valley, Westchester & Fairfield County Regional Walk Director for Autism Speaks, noted, “Scarsdale High School is the standard to which we hope all of our clubs across the country will strive.”

SHS Club members and Team Scarsdale C.H.I.L.D. also work closely with Walk Chair Ellen Cohen, another Scarsdale resident. A tireless and longtime community activist on behalf of children with special needs, Ellen has been responsible for several years for recruiting and organizing the 200 volunteers who participate on walk day; this will be her second year chairing the event. “I so admire the strength, courage and unswerving optimism of our families,” Ellen says. “That dedication and sense of community is what I cherish every year at our walk. It stays with me and lifts me up for the rest of the year.”

Autism Speaks is the nation’s leading advocacy organization for the complex neurobiological brain disorder, which inhibits a person’s ability to communicate and develop social relationships, and is often accompanied by behavioral challenges. Walk Now for Autism Speaks is their signature event, taking place in communities across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

“Our kids deserve our commitment and hope,” says Liane. “We won’t stop walking until there’s a cure.”

If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Ellen Cohen at [email protected]. All teen volunteers will receive an individual certificate of community service for their efforts. To make a tax-deductible donation, please visit the team page at: www.walknowforautismspeaks.org/westchesterfairfield/scarsdalechild

Where: 2900 Purchase St, Purchase, NY 10577 (Manhattanville College)
Date: June 6, 2010
Time: 9:30am–2:00pm
Phone: 914-934-5138

Email: [email protected] http://www.walknowforautismspeaks.org/westchesterfairfield

For more information, contact Liane Carter at [email protected]

The Scarsdale High School Carnival is on this weekend on Friday night April 16 from 6 to 10 pm and on Saturday April 17 from 1 to 10 pm. According to Neil Ginsberg, school government advisor, “the best thing about the carnival is that members of the entire Scarsdale community come out to stroll and observe, enjoy the activities and go on the rides.” Profits from the carnival support charities and in the past funds have been contributed to worthy causes including My Sister’s Place, Girls Learn International, Mercy Corps and Harvest for Hope.

This year tickets can be purchased online at newtonshows.com. Tickets purchased in advance are $22.99 and those purchased at the carnival are $30.00. If you purchase a ticket online bring your confirmation receipt and ID to the carnival ticket booth to receive a bracelet. If one or both days are completely rained out, the rain date is Sunday April 18.

The 41st annual Scarsdale 15K and 4-mile run took place on a Sunday April 11. The race is conducted by the Scarsdale Recreation Department and co-sponsored by the Scarsdale Antiques Running Club. It is the longest running race in Westchester County, and the course winds through Greenacres and Fox Meadow. The weather was crisp and clear and runners came out in force. Free coffee was provided by Lange’s Deli. A list of the top finishers can be found below and all the results are on the village website.

Scarsdale resident Alan Lowenfels and his son Ted ran the 4 mile race, both wearing “barefoot” Vibram 5 fingers running shoes that look more like latex gloves for the feet than shoes. Lowenfels said, “I’ve run this race many times, even in the 70s with Abe Simon and the Scarsdale Antiques Running Club, but this year was a totally different experience. Not only was I joined by the next generation, my son Teddy made his debut, but we both ran in our new “barefoot” shoes… the Vibram 5 Fingers. What a great experience.... you feel the road and it's great for your body.”

Lowenfels added, “the 4-mile race starts at Scarsdale High School, heads north through Greenacres and then turns left up the Kingston hill, that always seems steeper when you're running. Then we head back through Fox Meadow. With all the trees coming into bloom and the feeling of exhilaration in my new running shoes it couldn't have been a better day. 178 runners finished the 4-mile run and 129 completed the 15K. My son Ted led in the 20-29 age group. Family and friends came to cheer at the finish line and we all felt like winners.”

15K Overall Winners:

Jonathan Sumpter: 55:37
Emmy Stocker: 1:08:06

15K Scarsdale First Finishers:
Justin Harris: 56:17
Elizabeth Thompson: 1:10:57

4-Mile Run Winners:
Matthew Morel: 23:52
Cara Roberts: 27:12

The Girl Scouts of Scarsdale and Edgemont have begun forming new first and second grade troops to begin meeting in Fall, 2010. This scouting community encompasses the seven Scarsdale schools, the three Edgemont schools and the IHM School. More than 800 girls participate in 65 troops. In addition 30 leader volunteers work at the community level to provide programming and support for the troops and their leaders.

All parents whose girls are interested in being a Daisy (in the first grade) or Brownie ( in the 2nd grade) can learn more and register on the website segirlscouts.org.

In order for a troop to form at least two adult volunteers must be certified as leaders. To learn more about being a troop leader refer to the group’s website. Leadership training is free, easy to complete and very useful.

The organization asks that registrations be submitted by April 24th so that new leaders may train this spring. In addition, girls of any age ( 1st-12th grade) are welcomed to join an existing troop and can register their interest also on the website. For further questions please contact Marylou Green at 725-4683 or email [email protected], or Carmela Crawford , Administrative Director, Scarsdale/Edgemont Girl Scouts (914) 472-7842, [email protected]