Students at Daniel Warren Elementary School worked together in a number of team-building activities and physical challenges during their annual Field Days on June 11 for first-graders, June 14 for kindergartners and June 19 for second-graders.

When visiting, the first-graders participated in a variety of stations, including dripping cup relay, water balloon popping, beachball volleyball and a number of obstacle courses and races. The activities served as an opportunity to bring together students and teachers for a fun event at the end of the school year. 

Field Days were made possible thanks to PTSA members, who helped organize the events. 

F.E. Bellows Elementary School fifth-graders celebrated one of many milestones in their academic careers and said farewell to their elementary school days during a moving up ceremony on June 15. The students will embark on the next phase of their educational journey as sixth-graders at Rye Neck Middle School in the fall.

The program began with the processional to “Pomp and Circumstance” and a flag salute before Principal Michael Scarantino welcomed the guests and honorees. He shared a few words of wisdom with the students and encouraged them to continue to show kindness toward others. 

“I am so proud. Without question, you clearly have the capacity to be kind,” Scarantino told the students. “But most impressively, you make the choice to be kinder than necessary. So, when I really think about it, you have essentially left me with something extraordinary. You have left a positive and uplifting memory of the fifth-grade class who took care of one another, no matter what. We at Bellows will always remember you for your courage, kindness, character and positive mental attitude. I am confident you will accomplish greatness.” 

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Barbara Ferraro acknowledged that the students are ready for the challenges and new opportunities that await them at middle school. 

“You are special students who enjoy learning, exploring and having fun,” Dr. Ferraro said. “You approach each day with a curiosity that leads you to new and exciting opportunities. When I visit your classrooms, I observe you writing stories, reading books and solving problems. And whenever I stop by at lunchtime, I hear happy voices ready to enjoy some special time with friends.” 

Before the students were called one by one to receive their certificates, they performed “Let There Be Peace,” a song that was written by the students themselves as third-graders and music teacher Tom Galgano. They shared that they feel empowered with the ability to bring peace to the world one person at a time by showing respect, joy, friendship, kindness, empathy, cooperation and forgiveness. 

The ceremony, which was a celebration of the students’ achievements and successes throughout their time in the elementary school, concluded with a performance of “The Moving Up Song 2018,” which was another song that the students and Galgano wrote themselves.

Members of the Action Research for Community Change, a student-run think tank at Rye Neck High School, presented their water study findings before Town of Mamaroneck Supervisor Nancy Seligson on June 12. The students had been collecting data for a consumer confidence survey regarding the quality of tap water.

The students – Andrew Alcin, Renue Chin, Sean Diamond, Ryan Germani, Gabriel Miller and Owen Robertson – conducted the survey on behalf of the Westchester Joint Water Works in numerous locations in Mamaroneck and Larchmont. For the study, which investigated the question, “To what extent do consumers feel confident in the quality of the tap water in their homes?” the students asked local residents whether they drink tap water, use filters, have experienced issues with water in their homes and the degree of confidence they have in the safety of water in our area. 

The Action Research for Community Change team, facilitated by Dr. Valerie Feit, the K-12 enrichment coordinator and co-director of counseling and guidance, uses social science research methods to support policy decisions for local organizations. It is also part of the Rye Neck commitment to civic engagement.

“The results of the water study showed that 78 percent of residents are confident in the quality of our water, which is among the best in the United States,” Dr. Feit said. “Additional findings will be used by the Westchester Joint Water Works to support their public relations efforts.” 

Rye Neck High School seniors Allie Liebmann and Olivia Dunne – who have been close friends since kindergarten – have been named the valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively, of the Class of 2018. Both accomplished students, who have worked incredibly hard throughout their high school career, said it was validating to receive the school’s top honors.

“This recognition certainly means a lot to me,” Dunne said. “Throughout high school, I’ve put a lot of time and effort into always doing my best. There were definitely points in high school when I felt overwhelmed by the amount of work I had to do, but ultimately I think that working hard at so many different things was what made me successful.” 

Dunne attributed her success to the support of her family, friends, classmates, teachers and coaches and described them as people who have challenged her and pushed her to become a better version of herself. 

“Allie and I have been really close friends since kindergarten, and I definitely attribute a lot of my success to her,” Dunne added. “She is one of the most patient, generous, and kind people I have ever met, and spending so much time with her has had a tremendously positive influence on me. I love our friendly competition, and her support has played a huge role in my academic life.” 

Liebmann also credited her friends’ and family’s support for giving her the opportunity to pursue her passions and praised Dunne for her constant support and friendship. 

“My parents and teachers have always been there to help me with anything I needed, but it is really my friends who have had the most impact,” Liebmann said. “Olivia is a smart, amazingly hardworking, strong, talented person and I truly would not have been able to accomplish anywhere near as much in high school without her.” 

Liebmann added that she was humbled to receive the recognition. 

“I think being valedictorian is a reflection of my hard work, my love of learning and the support I’ve had throughout high school,” she said. 

The soon-to-be graduates said if they could give any piece of advice to the incoming freshmen, it would be to pursue their passions, explore new opportunities, participate in extracurricular activities, take classes in subjects that interest them, but also do things that are completely out of their comfort zone.  

“High school is a great time to find out more about the things you’re passionate about,” Dunne said. “Don’t be afraid to take challenging classes or classes that require a lot of work. Get involved, dedicate yourself to a few things you love, and do everything you can to expand on that passion.”

Dunne is a member of the Science Research Program at the high school and has competed at the Tri-County Science and Technology Fair since eighth grade. She is part of the Independent Learner Program, Italian Club, Mock Trial team and Student Senate, and has been class president for four years. She also gives back to the community by volunteering and giving pitching lessons to younger softball players. Dunne is a member of the varsity softball and varsity basketball teams. Liebmann is a member of the Mock Trial team, Spanish Club, Student Awareness Coalition, high school band and varsity field hockey team. She also gives back to her community by volunteering with the Midnight Run organization and tutoring younger students in math and chemistry.

In the fall, Dunne will attend the University of Chicago, where she plans to pursue her interests in molecular engineering and biological sciences. Liebmann will be attending Yale University, where she plans to further pursue her interests in math and science. 

Rye Neck High School student-scientists celebrated their outstanding achievements in the field and showcased their science research projects during the 16th annual Science Research Symposium, held on June 4 in the middle/high school campus library.

The evening consisted of poster board presentations by first- and second-year students in the program, who had been developing their ideas and refining their research throughout the year, followed by keynote addresses by seniors Olivia Dunne, Evelyn Hong, Marisa Santoli and Rebecca Taylor. 

Dunne presented her project, “How Can Antibody Conjugation Assist in the Intake of Gold Nanoparticles by Fshr-Expressing Cells?” for which she worked at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai along with her mentor, Dr. Aurelian Radu, an associate professor of cell, developmental and regenerative biology. Hong presented her project, “The Effect of Art Participation in High School on Adolescents’ Creative Ideation.” She took part in the Imagination Lab with her mentor, Dr. Baptiste Barbot at Pace University in the Department of Psychology, where she focused on the possibility that virtual reality can enhance an individual’s creativity. For her project, “The Effect of Alkaline-Phosphatase Gene Expression on Hair Cell Regeneration in Zebrafish,” Santoli worked with her mentor, Dr. Aaron Steiner in the biology lab at Pace University. For her project, “The Effect of Gene Deletion on Axonal Growth and Motor Recovery,” Taylor worked with mentor Dr. Nadjat Serradj in the Hollis Lab at the Burke Medical Research Institute. 

The Science Research Program – under the leadership of teachers Kristen Bonnici, Kelly Cappa and Linette Milo – provides students with a chance to gain an in-depth understanding of a topic of their choice in a variety of scientific areas, including biology, medicine, computer science, mathematics, physics, space science, social sciences and psychology, and conduct independent research with the help of a mentor. During the course of the program, students complete projects in labs and participate in numerous competitions at the local and national level.

“It’s been a really great year,” said Milo, adding that the students have won numerous awards at the Tri-County Science and Technology Fair, which brought together more than 250 student-scientists from Putnam, Rockland and Westchester counties. “The students are definitely hardworking; they were able to balance and juggle all of their Advanced Placement classes, sports and go into the lab and do research.” 

Rye Neck Middle School was designated as a Gold Star No Place for Hate School by the Anti-Defamation League for the fifth consecutive year. A small group of students, along with sixth-grade school counselor Meegan Lawlor and art teacher Trisha Appel, accepted a banner during a ceremony in New York City on May 29.

“This recognition shows that our school is actively working to create a more inclusive environment,” Lawlor said. “The No Place for Hate program has provided a structure for what has always been one of the most important parts of middle school counseling. It’s wonderful for the students to attend the recognition ceremony. We all came back inspired and feeling rewarded.”

Throughout the year, sixth- through eighth-graders participated in a variety of activities as part of the schoolwide No Place for Hate program, designed to increase student awareness about respect, create an inclusive and tolerant school community and empower students to reduce bullying. After reading Nora Raleigh Baskin’s book, “Anything But Typical,” which highlights the importance of acceptance, not just tolerance, the students welcomed the author to their school to discuss the inspirations behind her books and participate in a writer’s workshop. In addition, sixth-graders created a diversity quilt to learn about the importance of community and participated in a workshop that taught them how to prevent online bullying. 

During No Name-Calling Week, sixth- and eighth-graders learned that their words can affect others, and seventh-graders discussed the power of the bystander and how important it is to move from “bystander” to “upstander” or ally. In addition, each homeroom throughout the school focused on an attribute that would make their middle school a safer and kinder place to be, such as kindness or open-mindedness, and created a chain of examples of things they could do in their individual lives to make Rye Neck Middle School a No Place for Hate school. 

“These activities help students to take ownership of their environment and realize how incredibly powerful each student is,” Lawlor said. “When a group of students truly believe that their voices can make a difference, it helps to create a positive, inclusive school environment. The No Place for Hate program doesn’t guarantee that there will never be conflict, but that we are committed to addressing it.” 

A group of fourth-graders in Susan Marks’ Seekers and Solvers’ class at F.E. Bellows Elementary School – who had studied the water crisis in Africa, and more specifically, the water walk that young girls take to get water for their villages – recently held a “Be Aware Fair” to share their knowledge with the rest of their peers.

Having read numerous articles and books, watched videos and researched information about the water crisis and its effects on young girls’ education, the students felt compelled to educate others about it and make a difference. They worked collaboratively to create posters, videos, slideshows and drawings to bring attention to the global issue. At the fair, the students welcomed other fourth-graders to their tables, where they presented the information they’d gathered and engaged in important discussions on the topic. 

“Watching my students become so engaged in this project was amazing,” Marks said. “They were exposed to a global issue that many of them had no idea was even a problem. They showed compassion, were pushed out of their comfort zone and really were impressive in their eagerness to learn more.” 

At one station, students were challenged to carry a large backpack around their school’s gymnasium to simulate what young girls their age experience in Africa every day. 

“The main thing that the students discovered is that they are so lucky to live in a place where water is so accessible,” Marks added. “When they are thirsty, they can leave the classroom at any time and get water from a water fountain. Not everyone has that ability.”

Fourth-grader Brady Sergio said he felt passionate about bringing awareness to the water crisis in Africa and hopes that more people can get involved to solve the problem.  

“They have to walk for hours and the water isn’t even clean,” he said. “Hundreds of thousands of people die because of this dirty water that they’re drinking. And to think about that they have to work for it, it’s astounding how they do that.”

The project was part of the district’s Schoolwide Enrichment Model and F.E. Bellows’ Seekers and Solvers STEAM (science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics) program, designed to develop students’ ability to think critically and creatively through project-based learning experiences.

Rye Neck High School’s theater program received three award nominations for its musical production of “Damn Yankees” by the prestigious 2018 Metropolitan High School Theater Awards, which are organized by the Helen Hayes Youth Theatre.

Junior Stella Ewen-Tanaka was nominated in the Featured Ensemble Member category for her role as Gloria Thorpe and senior Emma Finkenberg was nominated in the Technical Merit category for her work as director of costumes. Rye Neck High School also received a nomination in the Production Number category for its performance of the “Shoeless Joe from Hannibal, Mo” dance number. 

"We are very excited for and proud of our students for their individual nominations,” theater director Scott Harris said. “We are also excited for the Production Number nomination, which is really a reflection of the entire production. The bulk of the cast took part in that dance number, so congratulations to the entire cast of the show, and our amazing choreographer Francesca DeAngelo, whose choreography surely helped us nab that nomination."

The Metro Awards shine a spotlight on exceptional musical theater productions, talented actors and actresses and creative teams from Bergen, Putnam, Rockland and Westchester counties. The annual awards ceremony will be held on June 11 at the Performing Arts Center at Purchase College.

Rye Neck High School junior Pamela Chiera and senior Emma Finkenberg earned second place and honorable mention, respectively, in the eSchoolData Login Page Art Contest. The two students were among close to 60 students from the Lower Hudson Valley region who submitted works that illustrated how art is integral to STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects.

“I am so proud of these young women who have continuously shown creativity in the field of photography,” art teacher Jennifer Dallow said. “They were successful in capturing images that best represented the theme of STEAM and I am happy that they will be rewarded.” 

This year’s theme required students to submit either a photograph or scanned image of a drawing that illustrates how the principles and aesthetics of art are incorporated into and reflected in STEM subjects. 

“Pamela’s photograph shows the magnificent engineered bridge over a peaceful body of water under a moody cloudy sky,” Dallow said. “With cool colors and angled lines, it was the perfect combination of geometric and organic lines. Emma’s boats use a triangular shape that draws the viewer’s eye into the piece. It is well-composed and a great use of art elements showing a functional piece of engineering – the boats.” 

The art contest was created as a way to give back to school districts and the surrounding community by promoting local art and providing monetary awards for the winning entries, according to eSchoolData’s website. All winning submissions are published on the eSchoolData website, www.eschooldata.com/artists-gallery.

Rye Neck High School seniors Sara Aulfinger and Nicolette Sansotta were each awarded a scholarship by the Kiwanis Club of Mamaroneck, Harrison and Rye on May 15.

Kiwanis, an international organization of volunteers who are dedicated to serving children and communities in need, awards scholarships to high school seniors who have shown dedication and outstanding service to their community. Aulfinger has completed 328 hours of community service, mainly as a counselor at a local summer camp. Sansotta has completed 259 hours of community service, mainly through her stage crew work on the high school’s theater productions. 

Aulfinger and Sansotta were presented with their scholarships by James Lanza, president of the local chapter of the Kiwanis Club, and Vince Marconi, chairman of the local chapter of the Kiwanis Scholarship Committee. 

Joshua Goldin-McCarthy, a Rye Neck High School senior and talented actor, was nominated for the 2017-2018 Roger Rees Awards for Excellence in Student Performance for his performance in the high school’s spring musical production “Damn Yankees.”

Goldin-McCarthy received a best actor nomination for his leading performance as Joe Boyd/Joe Hardy. Theater director Scott Harris praised him for his stellar talent on stage and dedication to the theater program.

“Josh was the heart and soul of our ‘Damn Yankees,’” Harris said. “He was also a natural leader for the cast – quiet and unassuming, reliable and devoted to the production.”

Goldin-McCarthy is among 50 students from 27 high schools from across Brooklyn, Long Island, Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island, and Orange, Rockland and Westchester counties to be nominated. He will further compete for the award by participating in a performance master class and talent showcase, which will be judged by a team of Broadway and theater professionals at Pearl Studios on May 19.

In addition, senior Bennett Taylor was named alternate for the best actor nomination for his performance as Mr. Applegate. If one of the nominees cannot make it to the event, Taylor will be called up. 

“Bennett nearly stole the show with his amazingly comedic yet sinister performance,” Harris said of his performance in “Damn Yankees.” “His delivery of ‘Those Were The Good Old Days’ was a show-stopping tour-de-force in Act 2.”

The Roger Rees Awards, which are sponsored by Broadway Education Alliance and supported by various industry leaders, celebrate the life and career-long artistic excellence of Roger Rees, a beloved Broadway actor and director.

For more information, visit www.rogerreesawards.com.

Donning traditional Japanese kimonos, third-graders at F.E. Bellows Elementary School participated in a variety of hands-on activities and workshops to immerse themselves into the Japanese culture. Deeply connected to the third-grade curriculum, the annual Japan Day celebration took place on May 11.

Throughout the day, the students – who had been studying the culture, geography, food and history of Japan – learned about the significance of kimonos and discussed what school is like for students in Japan. They also tasted traditional food, practiced calligraphy by writing Japanese words with a brush and ink, created origami and learned about kendo, the modern Japanese martial art. 

“The day gave students a glimpse into the life of a Japanese student,” said Ann Cullagh, a third-grade teacher and team leader. “We provided students with an authentic experience covering various facets of life.”

Cullagh added the experience allowed students to gain a greater global perspective and sensitivity, as well as appreciation of other cultures. 

“They learned how we can be different, yet similar,” she said. “They also learned about the importance of rituals and traditions both in Japan and maybe even their own lives. In the end, they saw how we are all globally connected.”

The celebration was made possible thanks to parent volunteers and members of the Japanese community, who provided insight into numerous Japanese traditions.

Kindergarten through fifth-grade students showcased their best artwork during the annual art show, held at F.E. Bellows Elementary School from May 8-10. Under the direction of art teachers Trisha Appel and Dara Goodman, the art show featured one project from each student.

“This year we focused on a pop-art theme and students in each grade level created at least one project based on the art movement and different pop artists like Andy Warhol and Keith Haring,” Appel said. “The projects were inspired by artists, art movements, global cultures, use of different techniques and media while focusing on the elements and principles of art and design.” 

Kindergartners created colorful flower collages, while second-graders created soup cans inspired by Andy Warhol. Meanwhile, first- and fourth-graders created artwork inspired by Peter Max, and third-graders worked on clay figure artworks, which were inspired by Keith Haring. Fifth-graders drew inspiration from Romero Britto – who painted the “Mona Cat” as a cat dressed in the same Renaissance attire as the Mona Lisa  – to create their own versions.  

Through their art projects, the students were able to express their creativity and learn about new artists while developing their skills in different media and techniques. In addition to the art exhibit, Appel and Goodman created an interactive and hands-on experience for the students, who were encouraged to complete different worksheets with word searches of the artists’ names, color in different images and participate in a scavenger hunt to find their artworks throughout the show. 

Three accomplished Rye Neck High School seniors – Olivia Dunne, Allie Liebmann and Bennett Taylor – are among this year’s National Merit Scholarship winners, each receiving a scholarship.

They were chosen from a pool of more than 15,000 finalists in the 2018 National Merit Scholarship Program competition for having the strongest combination of accomplishments, skills and potential for success in rigorous college studies. They entered the competition along with approximately 1.6 million students nationwide by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test as juniors in 2016. Students with the highest scores were chosen to advance to the semifinals before the pool was further narrowed down. 

“Olivia, Allie and Bennett are exemplary students, who are involved in a wide range of extracurricular and scholarly activities,” Principal Tina Wilson said. “They embody the Rye Neck spirit. We are very proud of their accomplishments.”

Dunne is Rye Neck High School’s salutatorian, an Advanced Placement Scholar with Honors and a Con Edison Scholar Athlete of the Week. In addition, she’s an accomplished science student, having earned second place in the Medicine and Medical Science and Technology category at the Tri-County Science and Technology Fair for her “How Can Antibody Conjugation Assist in the Intake of Gold Nanoparticles by Fshr-Expressing Cells” project. Dunne is a class president and a member of the Rye Neck High School Mock Trial team, and has received numerous awards and recognitions. 

Liebmann is Rye Neck High School’s valedictorian, an Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction and a member of the Rye Neck High School Mock Trial team and concert band. In addition, she’s the National Honor Society treasurer and a member of the high school’s International Club, Spanish Club and Student Awareness Coalition. She has volunteered in Nicaragua and with Midnight Run and numerous other service projects. After school, she tutors elementary school students and has received has received numerous awards and recognitions.

Taylor is a member of the International Thespian Society and Science Olympiad team, as well as the founder and president of the high school’s Robotics Club. He’s an accomplished science student, having earned third place in the Environment category at the Tri-County Science and Technology Fair for his “Can the Tardigrade Dsup Gene Be Effectively Inserted into a Commercial Soybean as to Increase Radiation Resistance?” project. In addition, he’s an Advanced Placement Scholar with Honors, a lead actor for multiple high school theater productions and recipient of numerous awards and recognitions. 

Rye Neck Union Free School District students had outstanding performances at the Tri-County Science and Technology Fair, held on April 28 at White Plains Senior High School. The science fair brought together more than 250 student-scientists from Putnam, Rockland and Westchester counties.

The students presented their exhibits before a team of judges in their respective categories. Congratulations to the following students who received awards for their projects: 

Rye Neck High School 

• Rebecca Tenner and Anna Nakagama, juniors, earned first place in the Clinical/Social Psychology category. 
• Nicole Pereira, a junior, earned second place in the Physiological and Experimental Psychology category. 
• Olivia Dunne, a senior, earned second place in the Medicine and Medical Science & Technology category. As a result of her outstanding performance, Dunne has advanced to the state competition. 
• Bennett Taylor, a senior, earned third place in the Environment category. 

Rye Neck Middle School 

• Olivia Auffarth, a seventh-grader, earned first place in the Biology category. 
• Derek Ryan, a sixth-grader, earned first place in the Chemistry category. 
• Kyle Ryan, a sixth-grader, earned first place in the Environment category. 
• Julia Sandberg, an eighth-grader, earned second place in the Chemistry category. 
• Ben D’Amico, a seventh-grader, earned second place in the Engineering category. 
• Peter Nicholas, an eighth-grader, earned second place in the Environment category. 
• Abigail Andrade, Ava Liebmann and Jessica Park, eighth-graders, earned second place in the Physics category. 
• Isabel Palacios-Ferrer, a sixth-grader, earned second place in the Psychology category. 
• Linus Ringstad and Henry Robertson, eighth-graders, earned third place in the Math and Computer Science category. 

Additionally, Rye Neck Middle School was presented with the Susan Schaell Handelman Award for Scholastic Excellence in Science and Technology for Top Middle School. 

F.E. Bellows Elementary School 

• Aoife Bronnimann, a fourth-grader, received an Excellent rating in the Chemistry category. 
• Gianna Stracuzzi, a fourth-grader, received an Excellent rating in the Chemistry category.
• Sasha Carmel, a fourth-grader, received an Outstanding rating in the Health and Medicine category. 
• Jack Evangelista and Julian Russo, fourth-graders, received an Outstanding rating in the Physics category. 
• Lillianna Fauci, a fourth-grader, received an Outstanding rating in the Environment category. 
• Harrison Millan, a fourth-grader, received an Outstanding rating in the Physics category. 
• Brady Sergio, a fourth-grader, received an Outstanding rating in the Physics category. 
• Samina Quli, a fifth-grader, earned first place in the Health and Medicine category.
• Ella Grann, a fifth-grader, earned second place in the Chemistry category. 
• Thehara Ubayawardena, a fifth-grader, earned third place in the Biology category.
• Zachary D’Amico, a fifth-grader, earned third place in the Engineering and Technology category.