There was a new face behind the desk at the Byram Hills Central School District’s latest Board of Education meeting: an ex officio student member.

The Student Government election at Byram Hills High School was held in early October. Now, the executive cabinet officers, Cam Silverstein, president; Dylan Gasch, vice president; Ben Arnold, secretary; and Sophie Cai, treasurer; are taking turns serving as the non-voting student member of the board under a new state law that requires ex officio student representation.

On Oct. 14, Dylan attended his first meeting, where he highlighted fall activities at the high school, including the club fair, spirit week, the homecoming games, and the Student Government election.

“Our goal this year is to share updates about the exciting events and initiatives happening at Byram Hills High School, in the spirit of increasing communication, transparency and collaboration with the Board of Education,” he said at the meeting. “We’re excited to represent the student body and serve as a bridge between students and the board.”

Dylan, who shared a few thoughts during the meeting, called it a good experience.

“I was nervous at first, a little bit, but I’m pretty good under pressure and stress,” he said. “I’m a lineman in football, and it’s a very stressful position, so I’m good at dealing with that. In five minutes, I was having fun. I enjoyed listening to them talk and hearing how it was set up.”

The Student Government, elected on Oct. 3, is the second at Byram Hills in about 20 years. Four seniors were elected to the schoolwide positions, and each grade chose class representatives.

Cam said he was honored to be trusted by the whole student body.

“The presidential position was something I was eying since I joined the government last year,” he said. “To have the support of your entire school to run such a crucial position in the government is, honestly, just great. I can't wait to see what the future brings for myself and the government, and I'm just thrilled that my peers allowed me to be the president.”

“It’s definitely an honor,” Dylan said. “I’m going to do my best to make the people happy they voted for me. I’m excited to get into the work and make the school a better place.”

The Student Government will continue the work of last year’s government, which created the successful Winter Dance and the Battle of the Classes, and will work to increase communication between the student body and its elected leaders.

“The government's goal this year is to keep the student body constantly updated on our activities and to present the changes we're making to benefit the school,” Cam said.

The election itself was enhanced from last year to increase student engagement. It lasted two weeks instead of one and featured an election website, candidate town halls and candidate videos that were played in social studies classes. Students again voted in a ranked-choice system, an idea that came last year from senior Alex Lewis.

In addition to the executive cabinet officers rotating through the student position on the Board of Education, Student Government leaders will work with administrators, the Student Advisory Committee and the Grade Activity Boards to represent the voice of the student body.

“We have a very collaborative atmosphere between school administrators, the faculty who work with the Student Government, and the student body to make things happen,” said Byram Hills Assistant Principal Lauren Albert, who advises the government. “The Student Government works with the faculty to carry out their vision and to make the student experience better and increase school spirit.”

“We’re building on the success of last year and creating a new vision of enhanced communication between the Student Government and the student body, and between the Student Government and the community through the Board of Education ex officio members,” she said. 

Cam said he is excited to see the cabinet officers’ impact at the board meetings. “Our view provides an alternative perspective to the Board of Education, which can be very useful not only to the board but also to the government,” he said.

Student Government is a great leadership opportunity for Byram Hills students.

“The students learn so much about organizing, collaborating, getting students excited about different schoolwide events and caring about the school community,” Ms. Albert said. “They are learning how to use their voice to create change.”

In addition to the four executive officers, the government includes class representatives. They are seniors Nathan Khaldarov and Jeremy Loots; juniors Theo Lashmet, Aveer Saxena, Zabelle Shil, and Thomas Vataj; sophomores Connor Fitzpatrick, Paloma Hussain, Gabriela Olego and Flavie Rondeau; and ninth graders Rajan Bobra, Maya Cohen, Jack McLaughlin and Mallory Yahr.

Byram Hills High School inducted 19 seniors into the Cum Laude Society, honoring their extraordinary academic accomplishments.

The students make up the top 10% of the Class of 2026 based on their weighted GPAs.

The inductees were Lilly Alonzo, Anika Bobra, Sienna Cavada, Max Charney, Joshua Goldman, Ariana Reese Guido, Matthew Ishkanian, Chase Keller, Tyler Kravitz, Alexander Lewis, Claire Mauney, Maxwell Moy, Angelina Nie, Amanda Olego, Emelyn Rasamny, Evan Reiss, Avni Sundaram, Allison Tsay and Alexandra Zodda.

“Their outstanding academic achievement and commitment to scholarship truly set them apart,” Principal Christopher Walsh said at the Oct. 16 induction ceremony. “It's an acknowledgment of their dedication, perseverance, and pursuit of excellence, values that we always want to amplify at Byram Hills.”

During the inductees’ first month of high school, Mr. Walsh had asked them to write a quote, motto, or positive message on an index card. Though the cards offer just a snapshot in time from 2022, he noted that they are full of 14-year-old wisdom, curiosity and insight.

One read: “Hope is like the sun. If you only believe in it when you can see it, you will never make it through the night.” Another said, “Be nice and that's it,” and a third offered, “Don't just surround yourself with people you can live with. Surround yourself with people you can't live without.”

The inductees’ quotes touched on perseverance, grit and determination; integrity and humility; self-awareness, purpose and optimism; kindness, compassion and community; and the importance of taking chances.

“These are the very themes that define lifelong learning and productive citizenship,” Mr. Walsh said. 

“My hope is that you, in your pursuit of academic excellence, never get in the way of trying to gather these different characteristics for yourself,” he said. “Continue to develop them because that's what makes life worthwhile.”

“Congratulations to our Cum Laude Society inductees and enjoy this tremendous honor,” Mr. Walsh said.

Mathematics teacher Rebecca Barnum delivered the Cum Laude address. She shared lessons she learned from one of her favorite people: her grandmother, who lived until one month before her 100th birthday.

“I'm incredibly thankful for all of the lessons that I learned in my time with her,” she said. “She had a quiet way of teaching lessons. She didn't stand up there and lecture you. She just had little phrases and small actions that somehow just stayed with me through the years.”

One of her grandmother’s favorite sayings was, "Let's not make a whole big thing," while another was, “There can only be one winner.” The unspoken lesson her grandmother practiced every day was simple: “Love with all of your heart.”

“My grandmother's words remind me to keep life in perspective, to love fiercely, and maybe, just maybe, laugh at myself along the way,” Ms. Barnum said. 

Congratulating the inductees, she said: “You've already shown yourselves to be exceptional, bright, curious, driven, hardworking, and collaborative. Your families have been your biggest supporters along the way. And before you leave for college, spend some time reflecting on the lessons that you've learned from your families and decide what's truly important to you. Those are the lessons and the values that will guide you through the next stages of your life.”

Dr. Sandra Abt, president of the Byram Hills chapter of the Cum Laude Society, congratulated the inductees and urged them to cherish their remaining days at Byram Hills.

“Appreciate the knowledge and skills that you are learning,” she said. “Appreciate your teachers and friends. Strive to make a difference and do good. Don't be complacent. Use the unexpected
in your life and the occasional failure to make good choices. Don't be afraid to make mistakes.”

“Your future lies before you,” she added. “Make the most of it.”

Dr. Abt announced the new faculty member of the society, physics teacher Dennis Covert.

The Jazz Choir performed “The Star-Spangled Banner” and “I Can’t Stop,” and sophomore Zachary Yoon played piano selections at the start and end of the ceremony.

The Cum Laude Society, founded in 1906, honors scholastic achievement in secondary schools. There are 382 chapters, and some 4,000 students are inducted annually.

 

Byram Hills High School inducted 56 seniors into the World Languages Honor Society, recognizing their academic excellence in French, Italian or Spanish. Two of the students were honored for excelling in French and Spanish.

“It takes more than just a passing interest to master a new language,” Melissa Stahl, World Languages & ENL Chairperson, said at the Oct. 15 induction ceremony. “It takes dedication, discipline and a willingness to step outside your comfort zone. Each of you has spent countless hours studying verb conjugations, memorizing vocabulary and practicing pronunciation. Your hard work has paid off, and you should be incredibly proud of this accomplishment.”

Ms. Stahl discussed the importance of the art of human communication.

“In our increasingly connected world, the ability to speak another language is more valuable than ever,” Ms. Stahl said. “At the same time, technology offers new opportunities.”

Artificial intelligence offers many capabilities, including instant translation, she said, and it helps people practice and explore language more efficiently.

“But having spent 28 years helping students find their voice in another language, I can tell you this: No tool, however advanced, can replace the human mind and heart behind real communication,” Ms. Stahl said.

While AI can be a helpful companion, real growth occurs when people take risks and show vulnerability, Ms. Stahl said. “Learning and speaking a new language requires stepping into the unknown, where mistakes are not just inevitable, they are necessary,” she said.

“Every mispronounced word, awkward pause or misunderstood phrase is part of how we learn,” she said. “In taking these risks, you reveal your courage, your humility and your desire to truly connect.”

Vulnerability isn’t a weakness, she said, but the path to genuine human connection.

“Machines can support you, but they can’t replicate the spark in someone’s eyes when you speak their native tongue, the laughter shared over a mispronounced word or the comfort of being fully understood in silence,” Ms. Stahl said.

Fluency in a language is more than knowing words, she said, it involves cultural context, historical insight, idioms and the values that shape communication. “Studying Italian, French or Spanish doesn’t just help you order a meal abroad, it sharpens your literacy, deepens your critical thinking and expands your empathy in your first language as well,” she said.

In congratulating the inductees, Ms. Stahl called them “ambassadors of human connection.”

“In a world where technology can sometimes flatten emotion, your dedication to speaking across cultures ensures that understanding remains human, spontaneous and beautifully vulnerable,” Ms. Stahl said. 

“As members of the World Languages Honor Society, you are called to step forward not just as scholars but as leaders of communication,” she said. “Allow AI to assist, but never let it replace your voice. Remember to speak bravely, make mistakes, ask for help and immerse yourself in culture.”

Induction into the honor society is an invitation to keep learning.

“May you continue to approach the world with the same openness and wonder that led you here,” Ms. Stahl said. “Keep seeking meaning in words, connection and conversation, and wisdom and difference. The world needs your voices, authentic, courageous and deeply human.” 

Students must earn an A or A+ in their language class for three consecutive years to be eligible for membership in the honor society.

The students inducted were:

French
Sophie Cai
Sophia Deeks
Joseph Hashem
Karis Lee
Selina Li
Lucia Naranjo*
Ziqi Nie
Dylan Stoltz*
Amelia Wilt Peterson

Italian
Lilly Alonzo
Ryan Arcamone
Andrew Delli Carpini
Alexandros Gaillas
Jillian Gendal
Leopold Greco
Anna Higgins
Joy Jiang
Lauren Karoff
Sophia Kulik
Valentina Lumaj
Julia Miller
Heather Millman
Nicole Nassar
Emerson Pace
Bertram Parlev
Evan Reiss
Giada Rocco

Spanish
Zachary Berman
Anika Bobra
Sienna Cavada
Evan Dinlenc
Reid DuToit
Kimberly Eagle
Gracie Eisenberg
Kendall Fasold
Nicholas Fortugno
Dylan Gasch
Andrew Gershuny
Ava Goldenberg
Danielle Goldman
Joshua Goldman
Joshua Herr
Matthew Ishkanian
Tyler Kravitz
Conner Leece
Alexander Lewis
Maya Melathe
Maxwell Moy
Lucia Naranjo*
Amanda Olego
Nathaniel Pettengill
Emelyn Rasamny
Cooper Schreck
Dylan Stoltz*
Avni Sundaram
Allison Tsay
Isabella Vasquez
Giulianna Vella

*Double Language Inductee

 

 

Fourteen Byram Hills High School seniors were named Commended Students in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program, a recognition of their outstanding academic promise.

The students are Zachary Berman, Anika Bobra, Sienna Cavada, Max Charney, Noah Drazner, Joshua Goldman, Alexander Lewis, Maxwell Moy, Addison Petre, Avni Sundaram, Chase Tabankin, Allison Tsay, Elena Yu, and Alexandra Zodda.

“Congratulations to our Commended Students,” Principal Christopher Walsh said.
“We are very proud of them and they deserve to be recognized for their achievement.” 

Across the country, there were about 34,000 Commended Students. They are among the top 50,000 students who entered the scholarship competition by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test last year.

 

There was the futuristic Atomium in Belgium, the Anne Frank House in the Netherlands and the Brandenburg Gate and Berlin Wall in Germany. 

These were among the many fascinating sites that Byram Hills High School students visited on the inaugural school-sanctioned international trip, a 12-day educational tour that took place this past summer. 

Based on the success of the European trip, which concluded in Germany with a global leadership summit, Byram Hills is already planning the upcoming summer trip, this time to Japan.

While the first trip was selected for the leadership summit, Japan offers something different: the chance for students to step into a world that looks, feels, and functions very differently from what they know at home, said Melissa Stahl, the Byram Hills World Languages and ENL Chairperson who organizes the tours.

“From the way people move through a city, to how meals are shared, to the traditions that shape daily life, Japan invites them to see the familiar through an entirely new lens,” said Ms. Stahl, who traveled to the island nation in 2024. “The best way to learn about a place is to immerse yourself in the culture.”

The 10-day trip, run by EF Educational Tours, features stops in Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto and Kanazawa. Students will ride the bullet train, visit shrines and temples, and can sample matcha green tea ice cream and enjoy a Japanese tea ceremony.

“Traveling to Japan is about more than sightseeing,” Ms. Stahl said. “It’s about learning how other people live, think, and connect. By stepping outside their routines and comfort zones, students gain perspective, adaptability, and a deeper appreciation for life beyond their own hometown. Experiences like this build maturity and global competency skills that simply can’t be taught in a classroom alone.”

The Japan trip, which will take place in late June and early July, is open to students currently in ninth, 10th and 11th grades. To learn more about the journey to Japan, parents and students are invited to an informational meeting with Ms. Stahl at Byram Hills High School on Monday, Sept. 29, at 7 p.m.

Byram Hills hopes to build on the success of the European tour, which allowed students to see many sites in a short amount of time, thanks to the efficiency and organization of the tour guides.

“We had an amazing time in Europe,” Ms. Stahl said. “It was rewarding to experience Europe through the students’ eyes. Their curiosity, widening perspectives and appreciation and comparison between cultures were great to see. I also saw their resilience as they navigated another part of the world without their families.”

The group toured Brussels, The Hague, Amsterdam, and Berlin, where they visited historical sites and museums and experienced the international culture and cuisine. At the end, the Byram Hills students joined 900 peers from around the world in Berlin at the leadership summit, where students worked in small teams and used design thinking to solve real-world, global issues.

The students bonded as they appreciated the beauty and history of Old Europe as a group.

“I absolutely enjoyed the trip this summer,” senior Amelia Wilt Peterson said. “I got to be really close with the group that went, and I am really grateful to have become friends with them; traveling with them really made the whole trip so much more fun.”

“I loved all the places we went, with my favorite probably being Amsterdam,” Amelia added. “This was my first time outside of the country, and it was really interesting to see the differences between American culture and the culture of the Benelux states and Germany. I am incredibly grateful I had a chance to go on this trip, and I will definitely hold those memories in a special place in my heart!”


 

Three Byram Hills High School seniors were selected as semifinalists in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program, an achievement that allows them to compete for 6,930 scholarships worth nearly $26 million in the spring.

The semifinalists are Claire Mauney, Angelina Nie and Amanda Olego.

They are among more than 16,000 semifinalists, who represent less than 1% of U.S. high school seniors. The nationwide group of semifinalists includes the highest-scoring students in each state.

“We are incredibly proud of our three National Merit semifinalists,” Principal Christopher Walsh said. “Their recognition is a true testament to their academic excellence, commitment to learning, and remarkable achievement. They embody the values of Byram Hills, and we congratulate them on this well-deserved recognition.”

More than 1.3 million students entered the scholarship competition last year as juniors by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, which was an initial screener.

“Congratulations to our three National Merit semifinalists!” Guidance Chairperson Kristina Wilson said. “Your dedication and achievement are a source of pride for our school community. Way to represent BHHS – you inspire us all.”

To become a finalist, students must submit an application with information about their academic record, participation in school and community activities, leadership abilities, employment, honors and awards. They must have an outstanding academic record throughout high school, be recommended by a school official, write an essay and achieve standardized test scores that confirm their performance on the qualifying test.

Most semifinalists are expected to advance to the finalist round, and about half of the finalists will win a National Merit scholarship and the Merit Scholar title. The winners will be chosen for their skills, accomplishments and potential for success in rigorous college studies. The finalists will be announced in February and the winners will be announced in the spring and summer.


 

There’s no doubt that the students at Coman Hill Elementary School love the school library.

“There’s such an excitement for reading and sharing stories here,” librarian Erin Meyer said. “Our students truly enjoy their time in the library.”

The District’s youngest learners began visiting the library and checking out books on the first day of school. 

The school librarians reviewed library procedures, gave students a tour so they could find the different genres and students got to check out their first book of the year and read with their classmates. 

Last week, when second graders visited the library, Mrs. Meyer asked them what books they read over the summer and whether they participated in a summer reading program. Then she  read a silly book, “The Truth About My Unbelievable Summer.”

Throughout the year in library class, students in kindergarten and first and second grade may enjoy a read-aloud, participate in a book-related activity and learn about new books in the library. At the end of each session comes the highlight: choosing and checking out a great book.

“The mission of the library is to foster a love of reading and learning,” Mrs. Meyer said. “We want them to have the desire to continue reading and instill that habit of mind through library class.”

“Students love coming here, both for the storytime and the ability to choose books independently,” Mrs. Meyer said. “There’s a wide variety of books they can choose from. They’re exploring their own interests.” 

She expressed the importance of students reading at home and with their families.

“It’s so valuable for them to read at night, and for families to read to them and ask them questions about what they’re reading and interested in,” Mrs. Meyer said.

The library is at the center at Coman Hill because reading is the path to all learning.

Visiting the library also teaches students independence and responsibility. The librarians urge students to handle each book with care: Hug it like you love it. They also reinforce this motto: Read it! Love it! Return it!

Some students are so excited for a new book that they can’t wait until their next library class. Starting in October, the library will allow morning checkout, when students can exchange a book after arriving at school.

“We’re looking forward to another great year in the library,” Mrs. Meyer said. “The students truly enjoy our space, the books, our lessons and their independence to choose their own book.” 

Second grader Remi Sturman said: “I like the library. I like when we get to check out books because it’s fun and I like reading them.”

 

Ten accomplished Byram Hills High School student-musicians were chosen to perform at the Area All-State Ensembles this fall after receiving honors from the Westchester County School Music Association.

The competitive selection process was based on the students’ high scores at the New York State School Music Association solo festivals this past spring. The Byram Hills students were selected from more than 600 students in Westchester County.

“Congratulations to our talented students and music faculty for this great achievement,” Director of Fine Arts Marc Beja said. “We are so excited to see our students perform with peers from around the county on Oct. 30 at The Performing Arts Center at Purchase College.”

The students are:

Junior Liana Brown – Soprano, Mixed Choir
Sophomore Paloma Hussain – Cello, String Orchestra
Senior Maximilian Leopold – Tenor II, Mixed Choir
Senior Emi Nagura – Alto I, Treble Choir
Senior Evan Reiss – Cello, Symphony Orchestra
Junior Darby Schlosser – Soprano I, Mixed Choir
Junior Kendall Sorenson – Soprano I, Mixed Choir
Senior Avni Sundaram – Violin, Symphony Orchestra
Senior Elena Yu – Violin, Symphony Orchestra
Senior Alexandra Zodda – Double Bass, Symphony Orchestra

 

 

Byram Hills High School inducted nine students into the International Thespian Society in a ceremony that featured moving student performances in vocals, dance and speech.

The society, which dates to 1929 and celebrates student achievement in theater, is a new honor society at Byram Hills. To become a member, students must earn points by participating in theater productions and other related activities.

The students inducted were Sarah Bogart, Laila Byles, Zoe Harris, Paley Kirschner, Aidan Lebowitz, Emi Nagura, Nicole Nassar, Eve Nepo, and Ashley Stangel.

Dr. Douglas Coates, the Byram Hills High School chorus and theater teacher and adviser to the Byram Hills International Thespian Society troupe, welcomed school officials, family and friends to the June 16 induction ceremony and discussed the history of theater.

In about 535 B.C., Thespis, a prominent leader of the Greek chorus who wrote tragedy, recited portions of a drama alone, becoming the first actor, Dr. Coates said.

“In honor of this early Greek writer, all actors are called Thespians,” he said, before lighting a candle in memory of Thespis. “In his honor, we are the International Thespian Society.” 

Other leaders in the Byram Hills theater program discussed aspects of theater and each lit a candle. Evan Horowitz spoke about dance and pantomime, Kate Smith talked about music, Dana Celestino covered speech and Danielle Brooks examined dramatic literature. 

In between, seniors Zoe Harris and Eve Nepo performed an electric dance medley, senior Paley Kirschner gave a rousing vocal performance, and senior Aidan Lebowitz delivered a monologue.

Dr. Coates spoke about each inductee’s theatrical accomplishments and invited them to light a candle from the Thespian candle he lit. Holding their glowing candles, the students recited the International Thespian Society pledge and each received a certificate and pin.

“Congratulations and welcome to the International Thespian Society,” Dr. Coates said. “Always remember our motto, which comes from Alexander Pope’s ‘Essay on Man’: ‘Act well your part; there all the honor lies.’”

Byram Hills High School proudly announced that the Class of 2025 valedictorian is Chloe Kohl and the salutatorians are Andrew Levy and Sarah Park. 

The students, selected for their academic excellence, will each deliver a speech at graduation on June 24.

“Congratulations to these exemplary students on this remarkable achievement,” said Principal Christopher Walsh, who announced the students to applause at graduation rehearsal on June 11. “Byram Hills is proud of their commitment to academic excellence and their contributions to our school community.”

Chloe will attend Williams College and is considering a double major in chemistry and English. 

“It’s an honor to be named valedictorian in my class, but I definitely couldn’t have done it without the support and encouragement of my family, friends, and of course, the amazing faculty and staff at Byram Hills,” she said. “I really enjoyed being able to learn alongside so many talented classmates. I learned a lot from them, in addition to everything I’ve been taught from my teachers.”

Chloe is passionate about science and writing.

She is a National Merit Commended Student, a member of the Cum Laude Society for outstanding academic achievement, the World Languages Honor Society, and a secretary of the Mu Alpha Theta mathematics honor society.

A member of the three-year Authentic Science Research program at Byram Hills, Chloe’s award-winning research focused on bioprinting, or 3D printing from live cells. She is also president of the Byram Hills Sustainability Initiative and High School Science Ambassadors. 

Chloe is a co-founder of the Reading Between the Lines book club at Byram Hills and was co-editor-in-chief of The Oracle student newspaper junior and senior years. 

This year, she won the American Association of University Women Outstanding Student Award and, as a junior, she was honored with the Byram Hills Award for Potential in Science and the Harvard Prize Book Award.

Chloe said her academic success was due in part to “a willingness to learn from mistakes.” Being able to apply that knowledge to future assignments was important, she said.

Chloe feels ready for the next chapter.

“I think Byram Hills does a great job preparing students for after graduation beyond just academics,” Chloe said. “Unique programs such as science research allow students to learn valuable skills such as sending professional emails, having Zoom calls with researchers, and learning how to be an effective public speaker.”

At Byram Hills, Chloe learned the importance of collaboration, and said she appreciated when classmates helped her. “I used to be a very independent person, but as I took harder classes, I learned that it’s really helpful to lean on your classmates, and when you understand something, help them to understand,” she said. 

Chloe offers this advice to younger Byram Hills students: “Although it’s hard, try not to focus necessarily on the grade itself, but more so on the material and content. I think it’s important to learn from your mistakes and acknowledge the learning aspect of it.” 

Andrew is headed to Harvard University and aspires to be a trauma surgeon.

“It’s a huge honor,” he said of being named salutatorian. “I’d like to thank my family for their unwavering support, my teachers for their devotion to the promotion of learning, and my friends for answering all those last-minute questions before tests. This accomplishment wouldn’t be possible without the incredible support I received.”

“It fills me with pride knowing that every little step I took along the way led to something bigger,” he added.

Andrew is a National Merit Scholarship winner, a member of the Cum Laude Society for outstanding academic achievement and the World Languages Honor Society, and vice president of the Mu Alpha Theta mathematics honor society. He was the captain of the two-time County Championship Mock Trial team.

As part of the three-year Authentic Science Research program, Andrew studied the use of immunotherapy for head and neck cancer patients and was selected as one of the top 300 scholars in the prestigious Regeneron Science Talent Search.

Last year, he won the Harvard Prize Book Award and the Social Studies Outstanding Junior Award. He is a certified firefighter and EMT. 

Andrew gained many skills at Byram Hills that will prepare him to learn better in the future. 

“I’ve grown as a notetaker, I’ve grown in my ability to contribute to discussions, I’ve grown in my ability to study for tests, to collaborate with others, and my excitement for the learning process has also increased dramatically because the teachers at Byram Hills are just so engaging,” he said.
  
One of the most important things he learned in high school is to keep an open mind.

“Never go into anything definitively knowing whether you're going to want to like it or hate it,” he said. “You have to go in ready for anything. It will help you discover passions that you never thought you would enjoy and meet people you never thought you’d click with.”   

Sarah is going to New York University to study electrical engineering. 

“It is certainly a very big achievement and it ends my high school academic career on a goal milestone,” she said of the salutatorian honor. “Younger me, freshman and sophomore me, would have been proud of where I got to with my academic skills.” 

Sarah said she excelled "because I took courses I enjoyed."

She is a National Merit Commended Student, a member of the Cum Laude Society for academic outstanding academic achievement and the Mu Alpha Theta mathematics honor society, and vice president of the National Art Honor Society. She won the Yale University Book Award as a junior and was president of Students Serving Soldiers.

Sarah, a STEM kid who loves art, enjoyed the diverse courses she took and her attentive teachers.

“They helped me further solidify my interests and learn to not just prioritize one thing and that my interests could be made up of multiple different broad subjects,” she said. 

Sarah said her teachers, especially in junior and senior year, “helped me learn exactly what I want to do in college and possibly what I’d want to do after, and explore certain interests I'd have outside of my academics or career path.”

 

Byram Hills High School honored dozens of seniors and juniors for accomplishments in academics, arts and music, athletics, leadership, civic engagement, character and service at the annual Awards Ceremony.

“Tonight, we gather to highlight and celebrate the individual achievements and accomplishments of the students seated on stage this evening,” Principal Christopher Walsh said at the May 28 ceremony. “The Awards Ceremony is a time for us to reflect on the academic year and honor the hard work, resilience and dedication that our students have demonstrated.”

For the seniors, the night marks another milestone on the path to graduation. “It’s a moment to recognize not only their achievements but the character, strength, and adaptability they’ve shown over the past four years,” Mr. Walsh said. “They’ve learned to face challenges, built their resilience, and are approaching the ideal of being a productive and responsible citizen.”

To the juniors, the event was a reminder that senior year is fast approaching. “Let this ceremony inspire you to continue growing as learners, leaders, artists, athletes, and citizens and to enjoy every moment of your high school journey,” he added.

The final award was the Hy Blatte-Jack Wollenberg Memorial Award, which honors a student with a humanitarian outlook, a willingness to extend oneself for others and an optimistic approach to life and its challenges. The highest honor for a senior, the award goes to a student who reflects the heart of the District’s mission and is chosen by faculty, staff and the senior class. 

The Hy Blatte-Jack Wollenberg Memorial Award was presented to Charlotte Karp, a recognition of her exceptional leadership, compassion and unwavering commitment to Byram Hills. This year, Byram Hills launched a Student Government and Charlotte was elected president by her peers.

Mr. Walsh introduced Charlotte as a “true leader and learner.”

“She approaches every responsibility with positivity and integrity,” he said. “She seems to always do the right thing, even when no one is watching. Her peers trust her judgment because they know she acts in the best interest of others.”

On serving as Student Government president, Mr. Walsh added: “She has set the bar very high for all of those who follow her,” and she “spearheaded so many meaningful events.” Beyond her title, she is known for her kindness, inclusiveness and authenticity.

In her speech, Charlotte said her experiences at Byram Hills gave her valuable insights into the true nature of leadership.

“I’ve learned that leadership can be fun, exciting and incredibly rewarding, but it can also be hard,” she said. “It means stepping up when things don't go as planned, and doing the unseen work that keeps everything moving. It’s showing up, following through and knowing that even if no one noticed, your efforts still matter.”

“What I really learned about leadership is that it requires a community,” she added. “Behind every effort I made has been a support system that paved the way for success. While I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished, I’m even more grateful for the friends, family and teachers who guided me, partnered with me and stood by me along the way.”

She has seen her classmates show up and support each other again and again. “The experiences I’ve had, the people I’ve met and the memories we’ve created together have all taught me that what matters most isn’t the titles we hold or the events we lead, but the relationships we build along the way,” Charlotte said. “It’s the trust, encouragement and sense of belonging we create for one another that leaves a lasting impact.”

Charlotte won a $1,000 scholarship from the PTSA and $100 to donate to the charity of her choice.

Dozens of students were recognized during the ceremony, where they were applauded by classmates, relatives and the school community.

The complete list of recipients: 

GUIDANCE AWARDS

JAMIE TESTA ONWARD AND UPWARD SCHOLARSHIP
Given to a senior who shows exemplary commitment to helping others and dedication to public service.
DEREK SWIERK

MICHAEL TYLER FISHER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Presented to a senior who demonstrates care for others and the community, as Michael had exemplified.
JAKE LEVY

NORTH CASTLE POLICE BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION SCHOLARSHIP
Presented to a senior who has shown academic excellence and a commitment to the North Castle community.
ELLA SALTSTEIN

SENATOR SHELLEY MAYER’S 2025 CITIZENSHIP AWARD
Presented to seniors who have demonstrated outstanding work and dedication to the community.
EMILY GOLDMAN
ASHLEY STANGEL

ARMONK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE EXCELLENCE IN BUSINESS AWARD
Awarded to a senior who has demonstrated impressive business acumen, responsibility and dedication either as an employee of a local business establishment or as an entrepreneur.
CASEY GOLDSTEIN

ROGER CASE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Given to a senior for academic achievement and outstanding community service.
JULIA MAHAIRAS

THE NEW YORK STATE COMPTROLLER’S 2025 STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Given to seniors for academic achievement and outstanding community service.
TYLER BOND
CHARLOTTE KARP

UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO BOOK AWARD
Presented to a junior who has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement and scholarly research in a rigorous college preparatory program.
SIENNA CAVADA

TULANE UNIVERSITY BOOK AWARD
Awarded to a junior who embodies Tulane’s motto “Not for one’s self, but for one’s own” and is a true servant leader.
SELINA LI

HARVARD PRIZE BOOK AWARD
Given to outstanding juniors who display excellence in scholarship, character and commitment to others.
MAX CHARNEY
ZIQI NIE

UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA JEFFERSON BOOK AWARD
Presented to a junior who embraces creativity and innovation, and embodies the spirit of discovery, much like the University’s founder, Thomas Jefferson. The student is a demonstrated citizen leader who works to improve their community locally or globally.
AMANDA OLEGO

BRANDEIS BOOK AWARD
Presented to an outstanding junior who demonstrates a commitment to civic engagement, community service, political activism, social justice, or volunteer work.
CLAIRE MAUNEY

CLARKSON UNIVERSITY LEADERSHIP AND ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
Given to juniors having an academic interest in engineering, business, science or liberal arts.
Leadership Award: ALEXANDRA ZODDA
Achievement Award: ANIKA BOBRA

PRINCETON UNIVERSITY BOOK AWARD
Presented to an academically outstanding junior who demonstrates intellectual leadership and strong character. This student also best exemplifies the spirit behind Princeton’s motto, “In the Nation’s Service and in the Service of Humanity.”
AVNI SUNDARAM

DARTMOUTH COLLEGE BOOK AWARD
Awarded to juniors who exhibit excellent academic achievement and who contribute to the extracurricular activities of the school.
LILLY ALONZO
CHASE KELLER

YALE UNIVERSITY BOOK AWARD
Presented to a junior in recognition of outstanding personal character and intellectual promise with diverse skills and leadership qualities.
ALEXANDER LEWIS

UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA BOOK AWARD
Given to a junior with outstanding character and high academic achievement, who provides important service to school or community.
JOSHUA GOLDMAN

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN OUTSTANDING STUDENT AWARD
CHLOE KOHL

 

ENGLISH AWARDS

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN EXCELLENCE IN WRITING AWARD
TEAH REICHENBAUM

SENIOR ENGLISH AWARDS
for outstanding senior English students.
KEIRA ECKHARDT
JORDYN WOLF

ED WALZER WRITING AWARD
This award was established by the family of Ed Walzer, a graduate of Byram Hills who went on to have a career as a writer. The family has asked that the English department present the award to dedicated writers in the hope that they will pursue their passion for writing.
SOPHIA GETZ

THE YEARBOOK AWARD
AMY BLOCK

SOCIAL STUDIES AWARDS

SOCIAL STUDIES OUTSTANDING JUNIOR AWARD
Awarded to an exceptional junior who has achieved outstanding scholarship in the subject of Social Studies.
SOPHIA DEEKS

SOCIAL SCIENCES AWARD
Given to a senior who has shown exceptional growth in the field of Social Studies.
ADRIANNA ZAWOJEK

NORTH CASTLE HISTORICAL SOCIETY AWARD
Given to a senior who has excelled in American History, European History, and/or the senior electives.
AARON STEIN

HISTORY AND SOCIAL STUDIES DEPARTMENT AWARD
Presented to a senior who is an outstanding and serious history scholar.
OWEN LEE

THE NORTH CASTLE HISTORICAL SOCIETY HISTORICAL RESEARCH AWARD IN HONOR OF RICHARD LANDER AND DORIS FINCH WATSON
Given to a student who has an interest and passion in historic research to honor North Castle’s late town historians.
MOLLY MALTER

MATHEMATICS AWARDS

STUDENT RECOGNITION PROGRAM
for outstanding achievement in Mathematics.
Outstanding Senior: AARON STEIN
Outstanding Junior: ALEXANDER LEWIS

RENSSELAER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE AWARD
for outstanding achievement in Math/Science.
MAX CHARNEY

THE KEN HAMILTON MEMORIAL AWARD
Given to a senior who has displayed exceptional skills in software design, programming, systems analysis and hardware configuration; and who demonstrates excellent understanding and appreciation of computer science.
ALEXA SHUSTER

SCIENCE AWARDS

THE FARADAY AWARD
Presented to a senior who can manage long-term projects from inception to conclusion and create solutions in non-traditional ways.
SEBASTIAN LASHMET

BYRAM HILLS AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN SCIENCE
Awarded to an outstanding senior for excellence in science.
JORDYN WOLF

BAUSCH & LOMB AWARD
Presented to an outstanding junior science student.
ZIQI NIE

BYRAM HILLS AWARD FOR POTENTIAL IN SCIENCE
Awarded to an outstanding junior for potential in science.
ANIKA BOBRA

WORLD LANGUAGES AWARDS

WORLD LANGUAGE AWARD
Honors the senior that has demonstrated a superior command of the language:
For general excellence in French: LAUREL FOX
For general excellence in Italian: THOMAS JAMES GUIDO
For general excellence in Spanish: DEREK SWIERK

THE DUAL LANGUAGE AWARD
Awarded to a senior that has demonstrated a superior command of two upper level languages, taken concurrently.
AUDREY ROSENBERG

FINE ARTS AWARDS

PTSA ARTS SCHOLARSHIP
ALEXA SHUSTER

BYRAM HILLS HIGH SCHOOL ART AWARD
SAVANNAH MATHIS

SENIOR AWARD: COMMITMENT TO THE ARTS
EVE NEPO

BOBCAT MARKETING AND MEDIA AWARD
SOPHIA GETZ

THE NATIONAL SCHOOL ORCHESTRA AWARD
LAUREN CHASE

THE LOUIS ARMSTRONG JAZZ AWARD
EASHAN GOEL

THE JOHN PHILIP SOUSA NATIONAL BAND AWARD
ISABELLA LAMBERTI

THE NATIONAL CHORAL AWARD
PALEY KIRSCHNER
AIDAN LEBOWITZ

PHYSICAL EDUCATION AWARDS

PHYSICAL EDUCATION AWARD
AVA SCHOENHAUT
EMMETT WOLLAND

 

PRINCIPAL’S AWARDS
VINCENT GRECO AWARD
Presented to a senior who has demonstrated resilience and has been a positive contributor to the Byram Hills High School community.
JAKE LEVY

MICHELE DELAMONICO MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP AWARD
This award celebrates the memory of a beloved teacher, colleague, mentor, and club advisor at Byram Hills High School. The BHTA and the BHAA honor a senior student who exhibits the qualities that Michele was known for; resilience, love of learning, collaboration, service to others, sense of humor, and academic engagement. Michele gave back to our community in many ways. She left behind a legacy of care, commitment, and community building. The award will be given to a student who personifies those ideals.
THOMAS JAMES GUIDO

PTSA CARUOLO LEADERSHIP AWARD
This award is granted to a senior on the basis of leadership, character, dedication, loyalty, humanity, and interest in education.
GABRIEL GOLDMAN

HY BLATTE-JACK WOLLENBERG MEMORIAL AWARD
This award goes to a senior who has a humanitarian outlook, a willingness to extend herself for others, and an optimistic approach to life and its challenges.
CHARLOTTE KARP

 

Eleven Byram Hills High School seniors earned the New York State Seal of Biliteracy upon graduation, an honor on their diplomas that signifies a high level of proficiency in English and another language. Two of the students earned the seal for proficiency in English and two additional languages.

This is the first year that Byram Hills students have earned the seal, which can be obtained for English and any second world language.

To obtain the seal, students must demonstrate literacy in the two languages by meeting standards for course grades and national and state exams, and through a culminating project, essay or portfolio that meets criteria for speaking, listening, reading and writing in each language.

“Congratulations to our 11 seniors for achieving this mark of distinction that is true to our mission of creating responsible and productive citizens and leaders of the 21st century,” Principal Christopher Walsh said.

World Languages Chairperson Melissa Stahl praised the students for becoming global citizens.

“Earning the Seal of Biliteracy recognizes a student's dedication to language learning and cultural understanding,” she said. “It affirms their commitment to academic excellence and prepares them to engage confidently and effectively in diverse communities around the globe.”

The seniors are: John Cavada (Spanish), Ariana Foreman (Spanish), Gabriel Goldman (Spanish), Thomas James Guido (Italian), Miguel Heredia (Spanish), Owen Lee (French and Spanish), Ethan Lipton (Spanish), Abigael Rondeau (Spanish), Audrey Rosenberg (Italian and Spanish), Yu Xin (Jacqueline) Wu (Chinese) and Adrianna Zawojek (Spanish).

The Varley Players at Byram Hills High School kept the audience guessing in the riveting spring production of “The Hollow” by Agatha Christie.

The dialogue-heavy murder mystery takes place in the mid-1940s at the country house of Henry and Lucy Angkatell, who often have guests from London visit on the weekend. On this weekend, their guests included Dr. John Cristow and his wife, Gerda, and the film star Veronica Craye. Eventually, Dr. Cristow is fatally shot and lived long enough to say one name before he died.

The dramedy is a so-called cozy mystery, a genre of mysteries that generally takes place in an English country house with guests who all knew each other, said the director, Dr. Douglas Coates, the Byram Hills chorus and theater teacher. The stories are more about the characters and figuring out whodunit than on the actual violence of the crime.

“In an educational setting, it’s important that students are exposed to as many genres of theater as possible,” Dr. Coates said. “This play isn’t one of Christie’s heavy hitters, and I like how students have to work a little to understand the characters, instead of playing caricatures of the roles.” 

The show, performed on May 16-17, was impressive in many ways, he said.

“The actors and crew were incredible in paying attention to detail and understanding how each character would answer questions, and why they would answer the way they did,” Dr. Coates said. “They understood who was protecting whom, and how that was integral to the story. Our student actors rose to the occasion and literally stumped the audience in all three performances.”

While there were no set changes, there were numerous props that had to be in the right place at the right time. “Anything missing could throw the entire trajectory of the piece, and the crew handled everything like professionals,” Dr. Coates said.

Sophomore Jack Levy called playing John Cristow “an incredible experience.”

“It was so exciting to take on such an interesting character,” he said. “I really enjoyed exploring his relationships with other characters, and being able to express it on stage. Being a part of this cast was a highlight; we had such great chemistry, and it made performing this mystery even better. I’m so proud of the work we did together.”

Senior Sophia Getz said the small cast and crew bonded as they brought the show to life. 
“We ran over lines on FaceTime, rehearsed on weekends, pushed through AP exams and put in a whole lot of individual effort to make it work,” she said. “I’m so proud that we managed to pull everything together and produce such an incredible show.”

Sophia added: “I had an amazing time getting to know the people in the cast and crew, as well as my character, Henrietta. ‘The Hollow’ was the first time I had the chance to truly embody a character for a full show and deeply come to understand her complex motivations. I’m grateful to have received great direction and support throughout this experience, and I’m glad to know that Henrietta, as well as the friends I made through the Varley Players, will stick with me beyond college.”

 

 

 

 

The Byram Hills Fine Arts Department is celebrating several notable achievements this spring in theater, music and art.
Three Byram Hills High School students who starred in the spring musical, “Chicago: Teen Edition,” were nominated for the 2025 Metropolitan High School Theater Awards for their outstanding performances.

They are: 

• Senior Eve Nepo, who played Velma Kelly, for Leading Female-Identifying Role
• Sophomore Darby Schlosser, who played Roxie Hart, for Acting Performance by a Female-Identifying Performer
• Senior Aiden Lipton, who played Fred Casley, for Cameo Male-Identified Role

“We’re excited to be participating again in the Metro Awards and thrilled that our talented students are being recognized for their electric performances,” Mr. Beja said. “The Varley Players have done fantastic work this year.”

The Metro Awards, presented by Helen Hayes Youth Theatre, highlight exceptional musical theater productions, actors and creative teams who take to the stage every spring in high schools in Rockland, Westchester, Putnam and Bergen counties.

The winners will be announced during a Tony Award-style ceremony on June 2 at the Purchase Performing Arts Center at Purchase College.

 

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Byram Hills earned the Best Communities for Music Education Award from the NAMM Foundation. The designation honors districts for outstanding achievement for providing music access and education to all students.

Award winners “serve as models for the power of music education to foster a lifelong appreciation for the arts,” the foundation says.

“This recognition is a testament to the high priority that Byram Hills gives to music and all of the performing arts,” Director of Fine Arts Marc Beja said. “Our teachers and students continue to engage in wonderful music-making and captivating, high-level performances.”

“We’re so fortunate for all of the wonderful opportunities our students have, from the in-depth general music and beginning instrumental programs in the elementary grades to our strong music ensembles and a wide variety of extracurricular opportunities in all our buildings,” Mr. Beja said.

Districts were selected through a rigorous review process that included information on instruction time, participation and community engagement. The foundation is the charitable arm of the National Association of Music Merchants, the global trade association for the music products industry.
 

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The beautiful design created by Byram Hills High School juniors Sophie Cai and Riley Conigliaro was selected for the Junk Kouture World Final, a sustainable fashion competition. Their piece, Fausse Fleur, was made from recycled materials, including trash bags, fake flowers, and bedsheets. 

Fausse Fleur was selected from hundreds of submissions nationwide and chosen for its ingenuity, storytelling, and commitment to sustainability. Sophie and Riley will be among 10 teams participating in next year’s live event, along with finalists from Milan, Paris, London, Dubai, and Dublin.

Junk Kouture is a global program that challenges students to create high-fashion designs from all recycled materials, an initiative that blends creativity with environmental education, performance and innovation.

“Congratulations to Sophie and Riley for this impressive honor,” Mr. Beja said. “Their design exemplifies the Junk Kouture mission exquisitely."

 

 

 

At a ceremonial signing day celebration, Byram Hills High School saluted the hard work and dedication of 11 student-athletes who have committed to playing their sport in college next year.

“We are so proud to honor these outstanding athletes who are taking their talents to the collegiate level,” said Rob Castagna, the Byram Hills Director of Health, Physical Education and Athletics. “Their dedication is commendable and we wish them great success in college.”

The students are: Jason Daly, Brandeis University, baseball; Jordan Daly, Brandeis University, baseball; Amelia Dougherty, Emory University, soccer; Mark Kanner, Trinity College, cross country and track; Jenna Kleynerman, University of Missouri, tennis; Maya Licznerski, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, volleyball; Sebastian Olego, SUNY Cortland, soccer; Ben Rothenberg, Franklin & Marshall College, baseball; Ryan Singer, Denison University, track and field; Derk Wolvius, Colby College, cross country and track; and Luke Youngblood, Fairfield University, rowing.

Before each athlete was introduced at the May 1 ceremony, Byram Hills teacher and Boys Varsity Soccer coach Matt Allen praised the students for sticking with their sport and continuing to practice, even when nobody was looking. He noted that of the 8 million high school athletes nationwide, only about 7% compete in college.

“That’s you,” he told the students, seated at a long table in the gym. “That 7% that didn’t get there by luck. You got there by showing up when it was hard, sacrificing when it wasn’t convenient, and never letting up.”

“And while this is a celebration of where you are today, it’s also a moment to look ahead,” Coach Allen said. “You’re going to be in new cities, new towns, new teams, new challenges await you. But so does greatness. If you continue to embrace the work when no one else is watching, you’ll be sure to succeed.”

A closer look at the athletes:

Jason Daly, Brandeis University, baseball; Division III: Jason, a right-handed pitcher, is a three-year varsity player who has emerged as an ace on a talented Bobcat pitching staff and can be trusted in big games. His focus on mechanics and the mental side of the game has paid dividends. 

Jordan Daly, Brandeis University, baseball; Division III: A three-year varsity athlete, Jordan is a designated hitter, a left-handed pitcher and plays first base. He became a leader during the off-season this year, and his vocal nature and will to win elevate the level of play of all around him. His powerful left-handed bat is a threat in the middle of the Bobcat lineup.   

Amelia Dougherty, Emory University, soccer; Division III: A standout player, Amelia was a four-year varsity starter who earned All-Section honors. She primarily played the wing but her versatility allowed her to excel in any position. Her strengths were in her one-on-one attacking prowess, precise crosses into the box, and exceptional vision. In her senior season, Amelia contributed significantly to her team’s success with six goals and six assists, highlighting her ability to score and create opportunities for teammates.

Mark Kanner, Trinity College, cross country and track; Division III: Mark earned All-League honors in cross country, indoor track and spring track. His personal records include 17:33.5 for the 5K, 4:33.83 for the 1,600-meter and 10:00.65 for the 3,200-meter events.

Jenna Kleynerman, University of Missouri, tennis; Division I: Jenna is one of the most decorated tennis players in Byram Hills history, with four state titles. In her senior year, she played first singles to help the Girls Varsity Tennis team win the New York State Public High School Athletic Association championship. She also won the state championship in the team event in 2021 and 2022 and was the state doubles champion in 2022. She is a four-time league champion and five-time Section One champion (twice for doubles and three times for the team event).

Maya Licznerski, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, volleyball; Division III: Maya is one of the best volleyball players in Byram Hills history. She was a Con Edison award winner, a sectional and regional champion and a two-time All-State player. Maya is also an outside hitter for the Northeast Volleyball Club. 

Sebastian Olego, SUNY Cortland, soccer; Division III: Sebastian played midfield and forward and led the team with 14 assists. He earned All-County, All-Section and All-State honors, and was recognized as a Pre-Season Elite 11 player though he had only played for the Bobcats for one year.

Ben Rothenberg, Franklin & Marshall College, baseball; Division III:  A three-year varsity player, Ben is a pitcher and plays center field. His hard work has led to an outstanding senior season, with a batting average of .425 through the end of April. He plays center with excellence and contributes on the mound. Ben leads by example and serves as a role model for younger Bobcats.

Ryan Singer, Denison University, track and field; Division III: Ryan throws the discus and has a personal record of 118 feet. In addition to throwing the discus, she will also run for Denison. She holds the Byram Hills record for the 200-meter leg of the sprint medley relay from the 2023 indoor season with a time of 26.7. She competed in discus at the state championship in 2023 and 2024. 

Derk Wolvius, Colby College, cross country and track; Division III: Derk has been a prolific runner at Byram Hills, competing in the 400-meter, 800-meter and 1,600-meter events. He holds the Byram Hills record for the 800-meter leg of the sprint medley relay from the 2023 indoor season with a time of 2:01.39 and his personal best for the 1-mile event is 4:35.89.

Luke Youngblood, Fairfield University, rowing, Division I: Luke trained with RowAmerica Rye. He was the fifth seat in an eight-person shell, making him part of the “engine room” or powerful part of the boat.

 

Byram Hills High School senior Andrew Levy won a $2,500 National Merit Scholarship.

Andrew is a distinguished scholar, has a deep love of history, is an award-winning science research student and is deeply committed to serving his school and community.

“In addition to being a brilliant student and researcher, Andrew is known for building bridges and serving the needs of others,” said Gregory Quirolo, his school counselor. “Andrew is a certified firefighter, spent multiple summers studying at the National History Academy, and has conducted novel cancer research at Massachusetts General Hospital. Andrew represents the best of Byram Hills.”

Andrew plans to attend Harvard University and study the history of science.

He was among the 2,500 winners selected from more than 15,000 National Merit finalists. More than 1.3 million high school students entered the scholarship competition as juniors when they took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, which served as an initial screening.

The scholarship winners were chosen by a committee of college admissions officers and high school counselors who reviewed information from each finalist, including their academic record, Preliminary SAT scores, contributions and leadership in school and community activities, an essay and a recommendation from a high school official. The winners are the finalists in each state with the strongest mix of accomplishments, skills and potential for success in rigorous college studies.

Byram Hills High School inducted 61 students into the Mu Alpha Theta mathematics honor society, honoring them for their exemplary achievements in math.

“It is a pleasure to be here tonight to celebrate the mathematical accomplishments of each and every student standing up here,” math teacher and Mu Alpha Theta adviser Elyse Cohen said at the induction ceremony. “These students have worked hard to be in the seats they are in today.”

For membership, students need a high average in at least two levels of high school math and must perform 10 hours of community service. At least half of the hours must be devoted to Mu Alpha Theta activities like Puzzle Day and tutoring students at the high school and H.C. Crittenden Middle School.

At the April 29 induction ceremony, the officers of the honor society spoke about the history and future of mathematics and reflected on their experiences with the Byram Hills math program.

Jordyn Wolf, a secretary in Mu Alpha Theta, said there’s a common feeling among high school students that math won’t have a lasting impact on their lives. But, she said the challenge of math has taught her problem-solving, led her to gain a deeper interest in STEM, and said her math classes became collaborative communities. One aspect sticks out the most, she said: learning about the real-life implications of math.

Jordyn discussed AP Calculus BC taught by Mathematics Chairperson Lisa Pellegrino, in which students used math to understand the oxycodone crisis, the dangers of oil spills and motion and physics. 

“I challenge you all to try to care more about the learning of math rather than the grade,” she told the inductees. “Math is hard and that’s OK. I promise that the learning experience in math and understanding the real-life applications are much more impactful and rewarding than simply receiving an A.”

Chloe Kohl, another honor society secretary, credited her teachers and classmates, along with her own maturity, with changing her mindset from resenting a hard class sophomore year to viewing the hard work of math as “a symbol of learning” and not failure by her senior year.

“I can recall countless times when classmates helped me with a concept and shared their strategies and study skills,” she said. “If there is one thing I’ve learned from Byram Hills, it’s the importance of taking advantage of the amazing resources available and collaborating with my incredible classmates.”

Another secretary, Ariana Guido, said she began to really love math once she allowed herself to be inspired, rather than intimidated, by her hardworking classmates.

“My biggest advice to you all is to work with those peers,” she said. “They can often be one of your best mathematical resources. To me, that’s what Mu Alpha Theta is all about. It is a society where we can pass on our mathematical knowledge.”

Andrew Levy, the vice president, talked about the unique fact that he’s been in math classes with the same people for the past four years and they’ve gone through the ups and downs in their classes together.

“All this shared experience strengthens the bonds that we formed, and when we go to do problems, it makes our collaborative work not only more successful, but it also makes it a lot more fun,” he said. “Mu Alpha Theta is the embodiment of this sense of community we’ve built in the classroom.”

Aaron Stein, the honor society president, described his high school mathematics experience as “challenging and rewarding.”

“Pursuing math at this level is incredibly rigorous and at times has pushed us to what seems to be our limits,” he said. “And because of this, it is easy to feel that you aren’t cut out for this and there has to be something easier.”

But, he said, students who can persevere and push past boundaries “will find an incredible reward — the ability to problem-solve, think analytically and overcome any challenge that’s been placed in front of you.” 

Each new member was recognized and given the Mu Alpha Theta pin.

The inductees were: Ethan Adamsky, Lilly Alonzo, Lilah Altman, Tyler Anchin, Anisha Bobra, Lucia Brescio, Juliette Brey, Gavin Bunting, Elodie Burt, Rylie Casler, Lindsay Coady, Zach Cohen, Aaron Cushman, Nevyn Dani, Arun Das, Elizabella Dec, Sophia Deeks, India Edwards, Brayden Fang, Chloe Ferreira Szilagyi, Lucas Garland, Rachel Geller,  Andrew Gershuny, Ava Goldenberg, Della Gonzalez, Leopold Greco, Andrew Grodin, Caspar Hamilton, Jerren Ho, Matthew Ishkanian, Karis Lee, Brett Lipton, Stephen Lombardi, Julia Miller, Amelia Molina, Shannon Moloney, Nicole Nassar, Asiya Nur Karim, Vasily Ouyang-Christiansen, Bertram Parlev, Ryan Pero, Nathaniel Pettengill, Aidan Pozzuoli-Doyle, Emelyn Rasamny, Vedanshi Ravi, Vivienne Read, Evan Reiss, Aveer Saxena, Evelyn Schechtman, Cooper Schreck, Zabelle Shil, Rohan Sundaram, Alice Tardieu, Evan Thorsen, Thomas Vataj, Amelia Wilt Peterson, Justin Wolf, Katelijne Wolvius, Wesley Woodworth, Ying Yin Yin Chen and Alexandra Zodda.

Mu Alpha Theta, founded in 1957, is the national high school and two-year college mathematics honor society. The Byram Hills members are among the more than 100,000 students in Mu Alpha Theta at more than 2,400 schools across the United States and abroad.

 

Sebastian’s computer science project could further develop the real-world reasoning capabilities of artificial intelligence.

“Congratulations to Sebastian on this great accomplishment,” said Stephanie Greenwald, director of the Byram Hills Authentic Research Program. “He is an ambitious researcher and we are so proud that his outstanding work has been recognized at the national level.”

Sebastian continues the program’s streak as the 13th student to participate in the National JSHS in the last 10 consecutive years.

A closer look at Sebastian’s work: 

For decades, computer scientists have used strategy games such as chess to develop and test new AI problem-solving methods. In particular, the online strategy game Tales of Tribute (ToT) has been regarded as an important logical reasoning challenge for computers to tackle. Since the game is so complex, previous ToT-playing AI had to rely on the programmers' pre-existing knowledge of the game, such as the relative strength of different cards used in the game. In contrast, Sebastian engineered RL-GG, the world's first algorithm that teaches itself to play ToT from scratch, an important challenge in computer science that also further develops AI's toolbox of methods for difficult real-world reasoning problems, such as city planning, safe self-driving cars, and optimizing ChatGPT.

The symposium, sponsored by the Department of Defense, is a showcase for research into science, technology, engineering and math by high school students.

Sebastian also placed first in his category and was among the top five overall scorers at the virtual Tri-County Science and Technology Fair, which advanced him to the New York State Science Congress in Syracuse, New York, in June. Senior Andrew Levy was selected as an alternate for the statewide competition.

They were among the 12 Byram Hills students who won awards at the Tri-County event, a virtual competition for students in Westchester, Rockland, and Putnam counties.
 

Byram Hills Tri-County Science Fair winners:
 

First Place

• Chloe Kohl - Chemistry
• Kayleigh McLaughlin - Health/Nutrition
• Sebastian Lashmet - Math/Computer Science

Second Place

• Adrianna Zawojek - Clinical/Social Psychology
• Ariana Foreman - Earth/Space Science
• Aaron Stein - Engineering
• Max Charney - Math/Computer Science
• Summer Feng - Experimental Psychology
• Katherine Dyer - Experimental Psychology

Third Place

• Cooper Lipton - Chemistry
  Maya Licznerski - Clinical/Social Psychology
  Andrew Levy - Medicine

 

In an art-filled ceremony led by students, Byram Hills High School inducted 10 talented student-artists into the National Art Honor Society.

Marc Beja, the Byram Hills Director of Fine Arts, welcomed family, friends and faculty to the April 9 induction ceremony. Commending the District’s commitment to the visual arts, he highlighted the expansive course offerings at the high school and the magnificent work the students create.

“Our students and teachers present incredible work at numerous curricular events,” Mr. Beja said, noting that students are regularly recognized at regional, national and international events.

The National Art Education Association started the National Art Honor Society in 1978 to recognize students for their outstanding ability and interest in art. The Byram Hills chapter was formed in 2017 and is dedicated to providing students with opportunities to broaden their knowledge of the arts and serve their community. 

For induction, Byram Hills students must maintain an A average in their arts courses and a B cumulative GPA in all other subjects. Students are eligible for membership in 10th grade after completing Studio Art and two art electives.

The honor society’s officers discussed NAHS projects and student accomplishments throughout the year and shared their personal journeys through the art program.

The NAHS president, senior Alexa Shuster, said she has taken many arts classes throughout high school that have shaped her into the artist she is today. She has experimented with oil painting, printmaking, graphite and metalsmithing. 

“Through my pieces, I attempt to demonstrate and communicate to viewers messages about relationships, society and personality by using mixed media and surrealism,” she said. “It’s an artist’s job to question cliches and traditions and to develop new ways of thinking using material. As I continue to study art and develop my technique, I’m constantly thinking about how to push my work to the next boundary.”

She thanked her teachers and looked ahead to making more art.

“As I continue my art education through college, I hope to further develop my artistic and academic voice using my creativity,” Alexa said. “In this ever-changing world, nurturing the next generation of artists and creators is essential.”

Senior Sarah Park, the vice president, said she’s “always been a STEM kid” but also loved art for as long as she can remember. When she began high school, she wanted to explore the Studio Art class, but scheduling conflicts with science classes pushed her in a different direction.

“Perhaps a blessing in disguise, this allowed me to explore metalsmithing, an art form I never would have tried otherwise,” Sarah said. “Around the same time, I began developing a style that blends 2D and 3D elements, inspired by paper dolls.”

“Sometimes I wonder what path I might have taken if I didn’t have to choose between science and art,” she said. “But NAHS gave me a glimpse of it, and to my wonderful art teachers I've had along the way, thank you for making that glimpse even more meaningful. I hope to always keep creating in a world that too often seems to forget the beauty and meaning of art.”

Kiki Dyer, a senior who is the secretary/treasurer, said the work she created for her sustained investigation for AP Studio Art explores how she can express that dreams are a reflection of our lives.

“My work in AP Studio has developed into an array of pieces ranging from peaceful to chaotic, that have been influenced by my own personal dreams and experiences, by literature and surreal artists, and guided by the advice of my teachers,” she said.

“This year, I have been asking friends, family and classmates of mine about their dreams and looking to portray aspects of their dreams in my paintings,” Kiki said. “I’m so excited to continue making art that engages and relates to others.”

Projects and activities that NAHS members participated in during the year:

• Students exhibited their work at the Armonk Outdoor Art Show, a top juried art and design show.
• In October, students painted pumpkins inspired by the work of Tim Burton, Keith Haring and Yayoi Kusama and with fun Halloween designs. The pumpkins decorated classrooms in the days leading up to Halloween.
• Five Byram Hills High School students submitted their work to the annual NAHS juried art show and one was selected.
• NAHS members created electronic Valentine-o-grams, digital Valentine’s Day cards that were sent with personalized messages.
• Students created crochet animals, beaded rings and stuffed animals for children in White Plains Hospital.
• One student competed in the Junk Kouture world final, and two were recently named New York finalists.

Mr. Beja and art teacher Jayne Karlin, one of the NAHS advisers, recognized returning NAHS members and called each new inductee to receive a certificate as their artwork appeared on a large screen on the stage.

The new members were Lily Cohen, Ariana Foreman, Zoe Fisher, Ava Gitler, Lila Leon, Daniela Marder, Shannon Moloney, Lucia Naranjo, Mason Smith and Isabella Vasquez.

Byram Hills High School inducted six talented members of the band, orchestra and choir into the Tri-M Music Honor Society in a ceremony filled with beautiful music.

Director of Fine Arts Marc Beja opened the April 7 ceremony, praising the inductees as leaders who share their musical talents with the community and achieved top marks in their ensembles at New York State music festival adjudications and general academic programs. They are role models for their work when they are in front of an audience and when they are not.

“They make our community a more musical and joyful place,” Mr. Beja said.

The honor society, a program of the National Association for Music Education, recognizes students for their efforts and accomplishments based on musicianship, scholarship, character, leadership and service. The organization’s high standards are a reminder of each inductee’s passion, work ethic, service and achievement in the arts, said Aaron Lockwood, the Byram Hills orchestra director and Tri-M Music Honor Society adviser.

“The students are caring, dedicated, hard-working people and musicians,” he said. “They are leaders in our school and continually find ways to share their musical talents with the school and community. They are models of excellence who have masterfully balanced academic, musical and service requirements.”

To be inducted, students must be a member of a musical ensemble for two years, have an A in their music ensemble classes, a B+ overall academic average and participate in school and community service events.

Dr. Douglas Coates, the choir and theater teacher, introduced the new inductees:
Liana Brown, choir; Nur Karim, orchestra; Jack Levy, choir; Lucas Rivalsi, band; Kendall Sorenson, choir; and Chloe Ferreira Szilagyi, band.

Band director Andrew Hill celebrated this year’s honorary inductee, Mark Hanrahan, the Head Custodian at the high school. Mr. Hanrahan’s commitment to maintaining the building goes “above and beyond the call of duty,” Mr. Hill said, allowing the music program to flourish.

“You remind us that it takes a community to nurture talent and that every role, no matter how behind the scenes it may seem, is vital to the harmony of our shared mission,” Mr. Hill said. “Your dedication inspires us all, and your contributions are an invaluable part of our musical journey.”

Several Byram Hills music students captivated the audience with beautiful music.