An Exceptional Season for Scarsdale's Austin Kaplan
- Details
- Hits: 5268
It was another outstanding season for Scarsdale Boy’s Varsity Tennis and co-captain Austin Kaplan. The team completed a perfect, undefeated season and achieved excellent post-season results. Unlike other sports postseasons, the tennis team’s postseason operates by pitting singles players or doubles teams against each other in a grand statewide tennis tournament. Several Raiders doubles teams made it to sectional rounds, and co-captain Austin Kaplan made it all the way to the quarterfinal round of the state tournament. The soon to graduate senior juggled end of the year activities including prom and senior options with a crazy tennis schedule and put together an incredible playoff run.
Kaplan has been playing tennis for so long that he can’t remember when he hit his first tennis ball -- 
though there is an old photo of him holding a tennis racquet at the age of two. Kaplan had been looking forward to playing on the varsity team since his elementary school days, and the four-year starter has unquestionably made his mark on the SHS team. Kaplan has played on the Varsity A team since he was a freshman, which is unusual, given that the high school team is so competitive. He has held the coveted first singles slot since junior year. Last year, he and doubles partner Ben Fife came in first place at the state tournament, and were the first Scarsdale team to do so in quite some time.
Tennis was not something that came easily to the eighteen year-old senior. It was and still is a passionate dedication to the game that has carried Kaplan so far. As a musician and co-president of the SHS Band, Kaplan understands the importance of practice and demonstrates this with a five-day, twelve hour a week training schedule that he has adhered to for the last few years.
In his own words, however, “There’s training and conditioning that you can do to prepare, but at the end of the day there’s just you and your opponent on a court. In that kind of isolated competition, it’s all about heart.” In this respect, Kaplan feels that tennis has molded him into the person he is today. “The guy that’s gonna win is the one who wants it more, and the importance of that mindset for victory in tennis has made me a tougher kid.”
Kaplan’s last few matches were played at the National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows where the U.S. Open is played every year. In his first round, Kaplan defeated Jonah Berkowitz from FDR High School in Hyde Park 6-1 6-0. He defeated Beacon Senior Justin Fields 6-3 6-4 and broke out of the round of 16, but fell to Herrick’s Vihar Shah 6-3 6-4 to end his tournament run in the quarterfinals. Kaplan described playing in the National Tennis Center as “crazy” and a bit “surreal”.
“It was quite a cool thing to think about,” Kaplan remarked, “I was playing on the courts that I’d been watching the pros play on since I was a little kid.”
Though the entire experience was extremely tense and competitive, Kaplan admits to having a good time. He already knew most of his opponents from playing other USTA (United States Tennis Association) sponsored tournaments, and it was a bit like one last send-off for high-school tennis before he and many of his opponents head off to play college tennis next year. Kaplan intends to continue his tennis career on the University of Pennsylvania tennis team when he attends Wharton next fall.
Photos by Masumi Hamanaka
Contributor Will Heffner is a senior at Scarsdale High School and has been a lifelong resident of Scarsdale. In his free time, he enjoys acting, and playing music. If you would like to contact Will for any questions or comments, he can be reached at [email protected].
Edgemont Prom: Oh What a Night
- Details
- Hits: 6919
On Friday, June 8, I had the opportunity to attend Edgemont High School’s 2012 Pre-Prom event. This was a particularly big deal for me, since I went to Edgemont and my last EHS Prom was 22 years ago. Yikes.
And, wouldn’t you know it. This year’s prom was at The Mamaroneck Beach and Yacht Club, where my prom was as well. Bizarre.
I thought it would be great fun to dig out my black strapless 1990 prom dress with the drop-waist and big bow in the back. I even entertained the idea of wearing it to Friday’s Pre-Prom. Then, some rational thinking kicked in, and I realized I would stick out like Cher at a PTA fundraiser. Well, you know what I mean.
It was way more fun for me to play Joan Rivers on the “Red Carpet” anyway. Let’s be clear though, a nice Joan Rivers. I came armed with questions, and I wasn’t leaving until I got my answers.
I wanted to know how different shopping for the prom was today from my experience 22 years ago. So, I had my standard question ready as I grabbed girl after girl for a quick interview, with “Tell me, how did you find your dress?”
I don’t know why, but this fact really shocked me; a lot of girls found their dresses online. And, many other girls went to one store, tried on their first dress, and went home with that one. No schlepping out to the Island or Jersey for these ladies.
Color, color everywhere, and nary a black dress in sight. Bright jewel tones ruled Edgemont’s 2012 Prom Night, particularly royal blue, purple, hot pink and canary yellow.
And, along with the visual vibrancy of the evening, the dresses were structurally interesting. No ruffles or gaudy embellishments. I’m talking about fashion-forward cut-outs, varying floor lengths and intricate ruching.
The hair was down and mostly in a natural wave or curl, while the make-up was a mix of simply natural and evening glam. Of course, I’m not going to forget about the shoes. I am a shoe girl after-all. The nude platform sandal seemed to dominate this year’s EHS prom.
My friend, Kim Aslanian, and fellow EHS alumni, was there to enjoy the festivities with her two girls, Zaza (8 years) and Grace (12 years). Grace got to spend her 12th birthday at the Pre Prom, and couldn’t have been happier. Doesn’t every little girl dream about her prom and wedding? Or maybe we all just dream about the dress.
Well, we hung out a little and I received some invaluable information. For example, I learned that only 
the senior girls wore long dresses, while the underclassmen girls wore short. Who knew?
I also learned that there were a fair amount of Junior boys at this year’s prom. One Junior attendee, Adam Nussbaum, told me, with a smile, “We’re a very good looking group.” We had a little laugh, and then he added, “I’m very excited for tonight. It should be a nice night out on the town.”
After an hour and half of Pre Prom activities, the party buses were ready to roll, and the kids were ready to get on with their Prom. The girls all looked gorgeous, sophisticated and elegant. And, the boys all looked dashing.
Man, did I get stuck with a horrible decade for prom-wear (aforementioned pouf dress), hair (big and curly and sprayed with Aquanet) and make-up (bright blue eye-shadow or eyeliner, and Frosted Brownie lipstick). Not. Good.
Here’s another back in the day for you; we had one Pre Prom party and it was at a classmate’s house. But, I really like this practice of the Pre-Prom at the High School because it brings the whole community together. Little girls get to see the pretty girls in their pretty dresses, teachers get to see their students, underclassmen not going to this year’s Prom get to feel included in the festivities, and all the parents get to enjoy the night.
Okay, my job was done. So, I headed back home to Mark, the boys, the dog and what was sure to be cold pizza. Maybe I should have boarded one of those white Silver Star limo buses and “Prom-Crashed.” Nah. Who was I kidding? Instead, I opted for the cold pizza, my boys and a pay-per-view. I already had my prom, 22 years ago. Now, I have my family.
Contributor Sharon Lippmann, writes about her "so called suburban life," as a proud resident of Scarsdale, NY. She is a writer, blogger, mom, wife, daughter, sister, friend and one sassy chick. She loves exploring the interesting, strange, perplexing, vexing, ridiculous and funny that life offers up frequently. Enjoying more of what she has to say about nothing, and, well, everything at mydailypill.com.
Photographs by Mariela Melamed: See more photos here:
DYSLEXIA-VILLE Brings Interactive Tools and Resources to Kids with Dyslexia
- Details
- Hits: 4409
Filmmaker, Academy Award winner and dyslexic, Peggy Stern has launched a Kickstarter campaign to co-fund the creation of DYSLEXIA-VILLE, an online experience for children struggling with Dyslexia. The campaign aims to raise at least $60,000, which will support the completion of this newly created interactive online destination. The site is visually intuitive, easy to navigate and equipped with audio aids for struggling readers.
DYSLEXIA-VILLE will be chock full of resources, and as Stern explains, “ The look is hip and fun but with a serious intention. Our tag line ‘population millions’ aims to dispel the stigma associated with dyslexia and emphasize that dyslexics are part of a large community that learns differently!” Approximately 1 in 5 children live with dyslexia. “Everyone knows someone with dyslexia,” adds Stern. “I hope to rally people from across the globe to support the launch of DYSLEXIA-VILLE, a website that will give kids with dyslexia an interactive and fun experience where they can embrace their learning differences while developing strategies that allow them to enjoy reading!”
Using the most innovative web technologies, Stern and her team at DYSLEXIA-VILLE are creating the first web-based community where young people will be able to chat with other struggling readers’ about dyslexia, engage in a documentary video series designed just for them, while parents and teachers will benefit from resources and links targeting their needs. The site is truly unique.
“As a dyslexic myself, I understand the challenges dyslexics confront everyday. After working hard to put together a model site, and strategizing with a dynamic team of media makers, educators, and designers, I believe we are ready to launch this community resource,” adds Stern. “We are asking you to join us and help make Dyslexia-ville a success!”
While every pledge dollar counts and is welcomed, “thank you’s” range from t-shirts, book plates, signed books, to a VIP tour at the Jay Leno Show. “Every dollar raised will allow us to build a better online world for those with dyslexia,” adds Stern.
To make a pledge, go to: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/655630/dyslexia-ville . Send this link on to anyone in your life who has struggled with dyslexia.
For more questions about D-ville, contact [email protected]. Or follow them on Twitter @dyslexiaville or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/dyslexiaville .
A Perfect Night for a Prom
- Details
- Hits: 13393
The red carpet event preceding the Scarsdale High School prom seems to get bigger every year. On Thursday night 5/31 a crowd of parents, teachers and friends turned out to see Scarsdale students in prom attire, before they boarded the bus for the much-anticipated party at Glen Island Harbour Club in New Rochelle.
Girls wore both short and long dresses – some respecting the tradition that senior girls wear long dresses while underclassman sport above-the-knee attire. The girls wore all the colors of the spectrum – from pastels to brilliant reds, pinks and blues with some in multicolored chiffon and others in dazzling sequins. Most had a corsage on their wrist. For hair, unlike previous seasons where updo’s were the rage, this year most girls had their hair down in soft waves and curls. Their dates were attired in the traditional tux with a carnation on their lapel.
It was a stunning spectacle as they walked the red carpet under sunny skies. As her daughter boarded the bus, one Mom said wistfully, “now the worrying begins.” It would be a long night for parents and students as the red carpet was a preview to a big night of partying. Following the prom, buses returned the students to the high school. From there, some went to homes to change, then took limousines into the city for the post prom party and did not return to Scarsdale until the wee hours of the morning.
Check out our gallery of prom attendees below:
Voyage to the North Pole at the Scarsdale Library
- Details
- Hits: 3865
The Scarsdale Public Library will host local journalist Joseph P. Griffith as he shares an exciting slide and video presentation about his trip to the North Pole last summer. “Voyage to the Top of the World” will take place at June 7th at 7:30 pm at the Library.
In July of 2011, 125 passengers from all over the world converged on Helsinki, Finland. They flew from there to Murmansk, Russia, to meet a Russian nuclear icebreaker, the most powerful ship in the world, for the 12-day voyage to the North Pole. Along the way, they saw whales, polar bears, Arctic birds and other wildlife, flew on the ship’s helicopter to various islands, reached the top of the world, 90 degrees north, and even went for a swim in the frigid Arctic waters, all under the midnight sun.
Photos and video will illustrate the surprising diversity of scenery, climate, flora and fauna in the region, including a close encounter with a polar bear. The Arctic and its wildlife are endangered, yet they retain a harsh, incredible beauty.
Presenter Joseph P. Griffith is a freelance journalist in Yonkers, NY and has written about Westchester County and real estate for The New York Times for five years, as well as for Gannett. The author of books on endangered species, film and China, he has visited about three dozen countries, including five in the last year, during which he traveled about 40,000 miles. He has won numerous awards from the Society of Professional Journalists, the Pacific Asia Travel Association and other organizations.
“Not all of us will get the chance to visit a place as remote as the North Pole,” explains Scarsdale Public Library Executive Director Elizabeth Bermel. “But, through Mr. Griffith’s photo and video presentation, we can all experience this beautiful place.”
There is no charge to attend the “Voyage to the Top of the World” presentation and all are welcome.
The Scarsdale Public Library is located at 54 Olmsted Road, Scarsdale, NY, 10583. Phone: (914) 722- 1300. website: www.scarsdalelibrary.org
