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Published: 29 May 2013

Created: 29 May 2013

Last Updated: 30 May 2013

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Though Memorial Day weekend was largely a washout, May 27 dawned sunny and warm, just in time for the Memorial Day Parade, sponsored by Scarsdale American Legion Post 52. The parade brought out patriots young and old, with some of the veterans too old to march and some of the youngest still in strollers.
A color guard of marines from the 2nd Battalion in Garden City led the march which began on Chase Road in Scarsdale.

Under the direction of Jason Noble about 70 members of the Scarsdale High School Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble played patriotic scores, while state and village officials, police, firemen, the Scarsdale Volunteer Ambulance Corps, the Little League, Scarsdale and Edgemont Brownies and Girl Scouts, and Boy Scouts from grade school through high school lined up for the processional. Bringing up the rear were an antique fire truck, ambulances and emergency vehicles.

Among the locals we spotted were Mayor Bob Steves, Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, Former Mayor Miriam Flisser with
granddaughter Emily, Trustee Jon Mark, BK Munguia, Mary Blumenthal Lane and Amy Cooper from the Girl Scouts and Fire Chief Thomas Cain.

Check out our photo gallery below:

01/16 

   

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Published: 05 June 2013

Created: 05 June 2013

Last Updated: 10 June 2013

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On Monday, June 3, SHS seniors congregated at the high school for the first time since they scattered to work on their Senior Options assignments. The school held a "Senior Transition Day," to give seniors a chance to reconnect with their classmates and look to the future. The day consisted of three parts, to give seniors an opportunity to reflect on their experiences in Scarsdale, provide insight for the next four years away at college and celebrate their final weeks as students.

In the morning, the entire senior class met in the auditorium and was greeted by several SHS alumni who have just finished their freshman year at college. Representatives from different types of schools all over the country, including University of Texas at Austin, Bard College, Boston College, University of Wisconsin, Bucknell University and more, sat on stage and spoke about their experiences transitioning to college. Dean Iosepovici and the seniors were invited to ask questions on any subject, from academics to the college social life. "The College Freshman Experience" Q & A gave seniors key information and tips on life in college, such as doing homework while waiting to finish your laundry, and several funny moments where the entire auditorium erupted in laughter. When the subject of drug use on campus arose, one panelist joked, "I don't see why people need drugs, you can have plenty of fun just drinking!" After a few lessons and a few laughs, seniors left the auditorium and headed into smaller groups organized by dean.

While the Q & A in the morning was focused on the future, meetings with the high school deans focused on the past four years. Seniors and their deans discussed things they learned about themselves through high school, how they've grown, and significant events they've experienced. Seniors made excellent observations and comments and many sparked room-wide discussions. In addition, seniors also wrote articles to teachers they wanted to thank and to incoming high school freshmen.

Then, seniors all reconvened in gyms A & B for the "Transition Lunch," catered by Buon Amici. Everybody scattered around the bleachers and spent several hours signing yearbooks and reminiscing about memories from the past four years. There were also class pictures from every grade at each elementary school and middle school for seniors posted on the gym walls to view. For each senior, it was an enjoyable break and a great way to close the school year before prom on Thursday.

Thanks to Mona Longman, Beth Shabto and the entire committee for making a memorable afternoon for graduating seniors.
Check out the picture gallery here with photos by senior Becky Schwartz.

This article was contributed by Brian Shabto, a senior at Scarsdale High School.

01/19 

   

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Published: 23 May 2013

Created: 23 May 2013

Last Updated: 23 May 2013

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For many SHS seniors, the upcoming Scarsdale Senior Class production of the Wizard of Oz will be their debut on stage. Eighty members of the class of 2013 are now preparing for the show, which will be performed on Friday May 31 and Saturday June 1 at 7:30 PM, and on Sunday June 2 at 2 PM. With just a week left until the premier, rehearsal is in full swing and the directors and the cast are working hard to perfect the show.

A large group of directors and coordinators were necessary to manage the cast of eighty. The show is directed by SHS drama club veteran Sunny Feinstein and assistant director Melissa Duarte. The two handled auditions, callbacks, casting, scheduling, running rehearsals, and worked with cast members. Choreographer Ali Whitney both developed the dance numbers and instructed cast members on how to perform them. Sophie Laruelle is Music Director, Rachel Josselsohn is managing the stage, Thomas Kurien designed the sets, Sam Giddins is in charge of lighting, with costumes by Taylor Yu and Tshara Barnes and props by Doug Berman.

Though the directors and coordinators have been active members of the high school drama club for years, only Melissa Duarte has had experience directing a show. Earlier this winter, Melissa directed Almost Maine, the student directed Drama Club production. For both Melissa and Sunny, casting was the first big task.

After two weeks of auditions, the lead parts were chosen. Emily Bochner is playing Dorothy, Eli Panken is cast as the Tin Man, Nick Meisel is the Lion, and Jacob Kirschenbaum is the Scarecrow. As Dorothy, Emily Bochner sings Somewhere Over the Rainbow. The other three leads all wish for what they are missing in each of their main songs. Eli Panken's laments If I Only Had a Heart, and Nick Meisel sings If I Were King of the Forest. As the Scarecrow, Jacob Kirshenbaum's big number is If I Only Had a Brain. Other notable roles include Gaby Czarniak as Glinda, Jacob Cannon as the Wizard, Becky Goldberg as Aunt Em, Peter Simon as Guard, Jason Altabet as Coroner, Evan Hendel as Toto and Max Grippo as Mayor of Munchkin City. Although they will not be appearing on stage, faculty advisors Mrs. Barton and Mr. Noble have also had key roles in making the play possible.

For Sunny and Melissa, directing the show has been as challenging as it has been rewarding. Reflecting on her experience to date Sunny noted, "directing is a long complicated process because we have about 80 cast members down from the original count of 117actors. In addition to the changes in the cast, "we only have about two hours to rehearse every night and almost two months to put together a show with an 80 person cast, which is almost unthinkable. To put it in perspective, drama club shows are usually 3 months of production with a cast of 35." The show has also been a learning experience for Melissa, who said, "it's been really hectic, this is a much bigger show that Almost Maine because it is a musical, so I have to work with many more people, including the choreographer, the music director, and the entire production team." She added, "You learn a lot as director; there were sides of lighting, staging and set design that I never really knew before even though I have been a part of a lot of shows over the years. One of my favorite parts is learning what goes on behind the scenes."

Putting the play together and rehearsing has been a learning experience for cast members too. Gaby Czarniak, who plays Glinda the Good Witch, admitted, "I had no acting experience prior to this, so I am glad I'm acting, getting out of my comfort zone and singing in front of people, which is not an easy thing to do." For Gaby and the other cast members, "It's also been a great bonding experience." Seniors act, hang out, plan, joke, dance and sing together in every rehearsal.

Music Director. Sophie Laruelle explained her role in the production, saying, "I run all of the music rehearsals, so usually I call a group into the band room and they all gather around the piano. I basically play them their parts and teach them all of the music." Sophie also works closely with individual members of the cast, lending helpful tips for singing. She explained, "I also have the leads perform for me and give them vocal notes on ways they could improve. I've worked with many of the leads on breathing and singing technique, which they've begun to utilize in their songs."

The entire cast is proud of the play and feels people will be pleasantly surprised by their production of The Wizard of Oz. Sophie Lareuelle smiled as she exclaimed, "the play has turned out really well, they're so good...it's much better than I thought the senior class play could be." Not only are cast members proud of the play, but also they are proud of their unique choice for Senior Class Play in The Wizard of Oz. According to Becky Goldberg, "Usually the Senior class play is more along the lines of High School Musical or Grease, so this type of show is something new for SHS." With the combination of hardworking directors and cast members, and a refreshing new take on the Senior Class Play, the show is bound to impress the Scarsdale community.

Tickets can be purchased $10 for students and $15 for adults and seniors (the 65+ crowd, not the high school seniors) online at Eventbrite. Prices will be more expensive at the door so be sure to get your tickets soon!

This article was contributed by Brian Shabto, a senior at Scarsdale High School.