With iconic songs, regal costumes, and dancing flatware, H.C. Crittenden Middle School students told the tale as old as time in a high-energy performance of “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast JR.”

Forty-six cast members and 22 students in the crew put on three amazing performances on Feb. 6 and 7, including two sold-out shows. Students in all three grades were part of the musical.

“The students did a wonderful job,” said director Kate Smith, H.C.C.’s chorus and music teacher. “They worked really well together, and the cast and crew learned to depend on each other.
I’m very proud of them. They brought the community a fabulous performance.”

The show began with a short video prologue created with the District’s new scenic projector, which was also used for vivid scenery. 

As the story unfolds in a faraway land, Belle ultimately falls in love with the hideous beast.
“It’s a great message: that the power of love and kindness can break any spell,” Mrs. Smith said.

A highlight was the rousing number “Be Our Guest,” with lots of dancing forks, knives and spoons, along with plates, teacups, a cheese grater, a salt and pepper shaker and a whisk.

The students enjoyed putting on the classic Disney show.

Eighth grader Cole Sullivan liked playing the Beast. “It was acting in a way I haven’t done before and it was fun to learn how to play a new type of character,” he said. “Everyone worked really hard and I think the show turned out really good.”

Belle was portrayed by Mirabelle Backs, who said, “Playing the character was so fun and I was so happy to be a lead as a sixth grader. The show was amazing. We all worked so hard and I’m so proud of our cast and our crew.”

Charlotte Steidl, a seventh grader, added: “I loved being Mrs. Potts and bringing her character to life on stage. I made so many new friends this year. I'm sad the show is over, but proud of the cast and crew's hard work and performance."

Seventh grader Jakson Kent, one of the stage managers, said the crew did an amazing job with the sets. 

“It was a great experience and it was a great show,” he said. “I loved being part of this production because I just love theater and how I help out with the sets and make that show awesome.”

“I can’t wait to do it next year and hopefully make every year a better show than it was last year,” he added. 

Byram Hills is grateful for a Byram Hills Education Foundation grant for the scenic projector, which adds depth and character to the District's stage performances.

Seven talented Byram Hills High School student-artists won 19 regional Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, with four students advancing to the national competition.

Their work was recognized in the Region-At-Large East for outstanding merit in originality, skills and personal voice and vision. Gold Key works will be judged in New York City and the national medalists will be announced on March 25.

“Congratulations to these amazing young artists,” Director of Fine Arts Marc Beja said. “This well-deserved recognition highlights their awesome creativity, their inspiring teachers and the strength of our expansive visual arts program at Byram Hills.”

Region-At-Large East Art winners:

Junior Reece Geller
Silver Key, photography, “Silent Rivers”

Sophomore Kaleigh Hermanto
Honorable Mention, mixed media, “Charred Dreams”

Junior Gianna Marrone
Gold Key, photography, “When Day Meets Dusk”

Senior Angelina Nie
Gold Key, painting, “Rain before the Rainbow” and portfolio category, “Emotions”

Senior Addison Petre
Honorable Mention, ceramics & glass, “Alabaster”

Junior Joey Schachter
Gold Key, photography, “Bridging Time” 

Sophomore Nate Zipper 
Gold Key, photography, “Waterjoy,” “Canvas of Pain,” “Phantom Drive,” “Midnight Refuge,” “Rest Stop,” and “Ghosts of the Fairground” 
Silver Key, photography, “Whispers in the Mist,” “Signal Lost,” “Solitude” and “Eyes Wide Shut”
Honorable Mention, photography, “Boyhood,” “Adorned Rebellion” 

The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, presented by Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, recognize achievement in the visual and literary arts in 29 categories and provide scholarships for students in grades seven through 12. Since 1923, the awards have honored teens who later became some of the nation’s most celebrated artists and writers, including Andy Warhol and Amanda Gorman.


 

The Byram Hills Boys Varsity Ice Hockey Team raised $13,789 for the American Cancer Society at its 14th annual Pink the Ring game, sending the program’s fundraising total for breast cancer research and support over $100,000.

The team raised the sum through the Jan. 24 game along with bake sales, Pink the Rink merchandise, online donations and a chuck-a-puck contest. To date, the Byram Hills Pink the Rink campaign has raised $109,511.

Every year, the high-energy game draws crowds of students, alumni and community members. 

“Pink the Rink has become one of the most meaningful traditions in our athletic program,” said Scott Saunders, Director of Health, Physical Education and Athletics. “It’s incredible to see our student-athletes, families, coaches, and community come together to support such an important cause. We’re proud of the positive impact this game continues to have within our school and beyond.”  

The funds directly contribute to cancer research, patient support and awareness initiatives. 

“More importantly, the event fosters empathy, responsibility, and civic engagement among our student-athletes,” Mr. Saunders said. “They learn that their platform as athletes extends beyond the ice; it carries the power to inspire change and bring people together for a cause greater than themselves. The Byram Hills Hockey Program models the very best of what high school athletics can represent: service, leadership and heart.”

The players wore pink jerseys in their 2-0 win over Fox Lane at the Brewster Ice Arena.

Captain Christian Cipriano, a senior, noted that the Pink the Rink game supports an important cause.

“It gives me a different energy to play for something bigger than myself and even bigger than my team,” he said. “Knowing that the money we raise goes to a great organization, we spend so much time in the weeks leading up to the game and everyone participates. It's a great way to connect the team and rally behind a great cause.”

Captain Ryan Arcamone, a senior, added: “Pink the Rink was a special way to bring the community together."

 

Chorus, band and orchestra students from Wampus Elementary School and H.C. Crittenden Middle School traveled to Byram Hills High School for the Districtwide Music Festivals, which were filled with inspiration and community, excitement and joy.

More than 400 fifth graders, eighth graders and high school students participated in the festivals, where students from all three schools sang and played together in powerful performances on the high school stage. 

“The Byram Hills mission of student leadership was in full force,” Director of Fine Arts Marc Beja said. “The festivals were meaningful days of learning, musically, creatively and socially, where students mentored each other, learned from one another and produced beautiful music with scores of their peers from across the District.”

At the chorus festival on Jan. 14 and at the band and orchestra festivals on Jan. 15, students from each school performed for the larger group, worked in small mixed-age groups and rehearsed together. 

After only a few hours, the students from the three schools joined for a final, combined performance that filled the theater with an amazing sound. The chorus sang “Shine Like Stars,” the orchestra performed “Power Rock” and “Dragonhunter,” and the band played “Legend of Mekong.”

“The culminating performances were fantastic,” Mr. Beja said. “It was great to watch the students come together so quickly as a large ensemble and make such beautiful and exciting music and to see them have fun doing it. We had fifth graders beside eighth graders beside high schoolers and they were all a part of that awesome large-group sound that was so impressive.”

The festivals gave younger students a glimpse of their path through the Byram Hills music program and high school students the chance to look back and realize how much they’ve grown over the years.
 
“Our younger students were really inspired to watch the older groups and hear how strong they sounded,” Mr. Beja said. “They saw the high level of talent and musicianship that awaits them at the high school.”

“The spark in our fifth graders’ eyes, sitting next to seniors and feeling like they were contributing to this great big, beautiful sound, was amazing,” Mr. Beja added. “Our high school students displayed such warmth and kindness as they supported and encouraged the fifth and eighth graders. There was a shared feeling that they are all musicians.”

The students had worked hard in their own schools to get ready for the festivals.

“The teachers are incredible,” Mr. Beja said. “The work that all of the music teachers did in the weeks and months leading up to the festivals was really evident in the high caliber of student performances, both of their own pieces and also in the high level of preparation of the combined pieces.”

At the festivals, students wore Byram Hills Music T-shirts and enjoyed a pizza lunch. 

The Fine Arts Department is grateful to the PTSA for co-sponsoring the festivals and for their continued support of the arts!

 

Byram Hills High School seniors Max Charney and Lindsay Coady were chosen as top scholars in the prestigious Regeneron Science Talent Search, a recognition of their original research conducted in the school’s three-year Authentic Science Research Program.

Max and Lindsay were among the top 300 students selected in the nation’s oldest and most prestigious science and math competition for high school seniors. The scholars won $2,000 each and Byram Hills will receive $4,000. 

“We are so proud of these talented student-scientists, for their hard work, dedication and commitment to improving the world through research and discovery,” said Stephanie Greenwald, director of the Byram Hills Authentic Science Research Program. “Their exemplary work is an inspiration to our program.”

The 300 scholars were chosen from more than 2,600 students who entered the competition. On Jan. 21, 40 finalists will be announced. They will compete at a weeklong competition in March for more than $1.8 million in awards. The top prize is $250,000.

The Society for Science, which runs the competition, said the scholars were selected for their outstanding research, leadership skills, community involvement, commitment to academics, creativity in asking scientific questions and exceptional promise as STEM leaders.

“Congratulations to Max, Lindsay and the entire ASR Program for this important honor,” Byram Hills Principal Christopher Walsh said. “The entire Byram Hills community is so proud of their hard work and dedication, and this recognition is well deserved.”

Max used vast consumer data from Amazon reviews in a unique way to assess social behavior in two investigations. First, through an exhaustive computer analysis of several million fitness product reviews, he provided some of the strongest evidence to date of people’s adherence to their New Year’s fitness resolutions. Next, Max found that taste complaints in food-product reviews align with COVID-19 prevalence and may predict future disease cases, suggesting promise for early warning surveillance. Taken together, Max showed that consumer reviews offer a powerful approach for understanding social behaviors on a large scale.

“I’m excited and grateful to receive this honor,” Max said. “This is a testament to all of the support that I’ve received from the Byram Hills community and my mentors.” 

Lindsay studied schizophrenia, a severe, debilitating psychiatric disorder with symptoms including hallucinations and delusions. Due to the unknown cause of schizophrenia, understanding mechanisms that potentially induce this disorder are difficult. Recent data have pointed to the immune system as a potential underlying cause of the disorder. Her study focused on identifying which key immune proteins are associated with schizophrenia as compared to other groups with mental disorders. Overall, her findings offer new evidence that immune dysfunction contributes to schizophrenia and may eventually guide more precise and effective treatments for this complex disorder.

“I feel extremely proud but also super thankful for all the people who have helped me, specifically my mentor,” Lindsay said. “Going to the lab and being able to conduct research alongside all these professionals was the most amazing experience I’ve ever had. For me to put that into writing and be able to present these results and be recognized is also equally as amazing.”

Entering the science research program as a sophomore, Lindsay said she never felt an honor like this would happen. “It showed me that my passion for my topic, working diligently and all the long nights were worth it,” she said. “It shows me that dreams can never really be too big.”

The Science Talent Search, which dates to 1942, recognizes high school seniors who are promising young scientists working to solve global problems through research. Past competition winners have gone on to collect the Nobel Prize, Fields Medal, MacArthur Fellowships and other awards.
 

With battle horses, cannons, wounded soldiers and a war-weary George Washington, seventh graders at H.C. Crittenden Middle School studied the American Revolutionary War and brought their research to life by creating virtual Lego sets.

After students studied the American Revolution, they learned about the war in Westchester County and narrowed the focus to what happened in the local community of North Castle. Working in groups, the students studied one of six nearby historical sites: Leonard Park, Merritt Hill, Smith’s Tavern, Elijah Miller’s House, Miller Hill and the Major John Andre Monument.

Once they completed their research using three sources, students wrote a letter to Lego about the historical significance of their site that tried to convince the company to produce their set. Using generative artificial intelligence, seventh graders created detailed, realistic images of their mock Lego sets and the minifigures and elements they would include.

Called History in Bricks, seventh grade social studies teachers created the engaging project this school year. They were inspired by the North Castle Historical Society’s upcoming celebrations of the nation’s 250th anniversary in July. Students used primary sources from the historical society for their research that included pamphlets and its documentary, North Castle: A Revolutionary Town.

“We hope that the students felt a deeper connection to and appreciation for local history through this project,” teacher Christina Vezza said. “The Lego set design helped them bring the whole story even more to life as they were really interested and driven to create the most accurate minifigures and elements that would help tell the story.”

The students were deeply invested in their work.

"It was great to watch students get excited about designing their Lego set to celebrate their community’s role in the American Revolution,” teacher Andrew Benowich said. “This experience really helped their understanding of North Castle’s role in the war. It felt real, it was creative, and they couldn’t wait to show off their final projects."

AI allowed students to stretch their imaginations beyond what they could build with actual Lego bricks. They told the AI tool how to dress their minifigures, what hat and uniform they should wear and even the expressions on their faces. 

“This was so much more vivid and personalized,” Mr. Benowich said. “They were able to make a George Washington who was very specific to the event. His demeanor, his clothing and his expression fit what was happening to him as he was struggling to win the war.”

For seventh grader Mia Plutzer, whose group studied British spy John Andre, who was caught with secret American documents in his boot, creating with AI was the best part of the project. “It was fun to use and you could connect it to what actually happened and you could make the characters however you want and be very specific,” she said. 

In the same group, Julia Goldstein felt that History in Bricks strengthened her research skills. “We had to find our own reliable source,” she said. “It was a lot of independent work and we got more responsibility in the project,” she said. 

Creating the Lego set “gave us a fun way to learn about history and kept us intrigued,” she said. 

Isabella Moyano, whose group researched Elijah Miller’s House, said the project “helped us understand more about the house and its importance to our American history.”

Meital Weissman, in the same group, said she felt their project came out well. “I think it has good elements that bring it to life and give it more importance,” she said.

“I loved it,” she said of History in Bricks. “I liked being able to learn more about our community. I also enjoyed being able to have the creativity to make these Lego sets.”

Hudson Price and his group studied Leonard Park, where French allied soldiers camped out toward the end of the war. “I thought it was really fun, making the Lego and learning about these historical sites that are in our own town,” he said. “It was great how it was interactive with a group.”

 

Byram Hills High School is offering students a new way to grow their leadership skills: the Teacher Assistant in Arts Leadership position.

Now in its second year, the role involves advanced art students working with students in introductory art courses. Students apply to become a TA, and must have completed two credits in arts courses, received a recommendation from a past art teacher and sit for an interview. 

The TAs are scheduled into a half-year beginner course, where they provide in-class support to students and may develop and teach lessons, assess learning, help manage materials, lead discussions and work sessions, and be another set of hands for the teacher. 

“The idea of the teaching assistant is to be a role model for how to think and work as an artist,” visual art teacher Amy Menasche said. “They become another friendly face of instruction and help create a welcoming learning environment.”

Ms. Menasche said teaching assistants help students think through their projects and provide technical help as well. “They’re an extension of the instructor, but are super accessible because they’re a peer,” she said, adding that her students love having a TA in the room.

The most important quality for a TA, Ms. Menasche said, is to show initiative. “Our best TAs are those who are genuine and friendly and sense what is needed before being asked to do it,” she said. 

In Ms. Menasche’s Studio in Crafts class this fall, her TA is senior Sarah Bogart, a sculpture student taking AP 3D Design. 

Sarah has been a great TA. “She has wonderful conversations with the students and she’s really good at reading the room,” Ms. Menasche said.

Being a TA has been a fun and rewarding experience for Sarah. “I love seeing creative people being creative,” she said. “The best part has been guiding them and helping make sure they feel confident in their work.”

Working with beginner students has helped her become a leader.

“I love when they ask me for help,” Sarah said. “It makes me feel like they trust me and it makes me feel like I’ve grown as a teacher. I feel like they can rely on me. It’s a nice feeling.”

By being a TA, art students learn they have the power to help others create.

“It’s good for the TA to see the different ways that other less experienced students come to artmaking and to figure out how to support somebody for whom art may not be a natural activity,” Ms. Menasche said. “They learn that they can contribute to other people’s understanding and enjoyment of art.”

Director of Fine Arts Marc Beja said the new leadership opportunity, which is also available for high-achieving music students, has been exciting to see. 

“A teacher can often explain things so beautifully, but sometimes a student can help reframe that in a way that just clicks with students in a different and helpful way,” he said. “It’s been amazing to watch our advanced art students helping their peers and passing their love of art on to the beginner students.”

Back in Studio in Crafts, Sarah has made meaningful connections with her students and appreciates their passion.

“It’s pretty great,” Sarah said. “I always look forward to being here.”


 

The Varley Players at Byram Hills High School masterfully delivered a 21st century version of Italian playwright Carlo Goldoni’s hilarious 1746 commedia dell’arte production, The Servant of Two Masters.

Using the original dialogue, the play was set in modern-day Manhattan, instead of 18th century Venice. Still, the chaotic journey through mistaken identity, archetypal comedic characters and slamming doors remained unchanged as the broad, physical humor transcended the centuries.

“The students mastered the formal language, they understood the humor and really delivered it,” said Dr. Douglas Coates, the director and Byram Hills chorus and theater teacher. “The students went above and beyond. They were amazing and the audience loved them.”

Commedia dell’arte, a form of early Italian theater that involves improvisation and stock characters, still influences comedy today, Dr. Coates said. “By performing this play, the students learned where comedy came from and how comedy works in modern performances,” he said.

The Servant of Two Masters told the story of a servant secretly serving two people in the form of a modern TV sitcom. The stage characters were loosely based on prominent small screen personalities from the last century including Archie Bunker, Frasier Crane, Rachel Green and April Ludgate.

“I wanted to make it accessible so the students could understand the humor in a contemporary way and be able to tie it back to this art form that has been around for centuries,” Dr. Coates said.

Students skillfully delivered the difficult language and physical humor, which included beatings with a rubber chicken, throwing plates to each other and entering and exiting through several doors, including a swinging door.

“The physicality of the door scene was absolutely brilliant,” Dr. Coates said. “This was a big, physical comedy.”

The actors loved playing their characters.

“It was a lot of fun,” senior Sebastian Mangione said. “Dr. Lombardi is a very outlandish character, so I got to play it up and scream and yell and just have fun with it.”

He said the cast “did a good job of navigating relationships between the characters” and that the scenes that “required physicality were also done really well.”
Sophomore Sophie Kramer, who played Truffaldino, was excited to perform in the show.

“We all worked very hard to put together a fantastic show,” she said. “It felt exhilarating. The entire cast was wonderful! I loved working with them.”

Junior Liana Brown said: “My character was definitely challenging at first because of how different Smeraldina is from me, but I had so much fun by the end when I figured her out!”

She praised the work of the entire cast. 

“This show was not easy, yet each one of us pulled our weight and we all collaborated to produce an incredible production,” Liana said. “We were able to land all of our jokes, while still conveying the complicated plot with full clarity.” 

Senior Emi Nagura, who played Beatrice, called the show an incredible experience.

“It was set up like a recording studio for a TV show, presented in a play form,” she said. “This allowed us to explore new opportunities and learn a different way of performing.”

“Being put into a production that is very different from any we have done in the past can be challenging, but I feel that as a cast, we were up to the challenge and pushed ourselves to perform at our best,” she added. 

The Servant of Two Masters was performed in three shows on Nov. 21 and 22.

 

 

Seventh grade students from H.C. Crittenden Middle School traveled to New York City to see Ponyboy, Johnny and the rest of the Greasers take on the Socs in the Broadway musical “The Outsiders,” an extension of their work in the classroom.

Earlier in the fall, the students read the book, a highlight of the year, watched the movie, and thanks to a PTSA Cultural Enrichment grant, took in the stage version on Nov. 12.

“They loved seeing their favorite characters and hearing the lines from the book on stage,” English teacher Dana Ferraro said. “It really brought it to life.”

The famous lines from the book that students loved hearing on Broadway included “Stay Gold, Ponyboy” and “Things are rough all over.”

“The adaptation from book to film to musical was an interesting process for the students to see,” Mrs. Ferraro said. “It was a privilege to bring our students to Broadway to see this beloved book in another medium.”

Seventh graders read the 1967 classic, “The Outsiders,” a coming-of-age and identity story of affluent teens and their greaser rivals, because it explores the themes of empathy and being true to yourself.

“The seventh grade word is ‘empathy,’” Mrs. Ferraro said, referring to the yearlong themes at H.C.C. that students work on in X-pod. “There’s no better book that exemplifies how to be empathetic.” 

“Knowing that everyone feels like an outsider at times and we all have struggles actually brings us closer together because it makes us human,” she said. 

Students loved the show and enjoyed comparing the similarities and differences between the book and the musical.

“It was a cool experience to see how it could change into a musical and how all of Ponyboy’s dialogue was transferred into songs, instead of him talking the whole play,” Jolie Schissler said.

The message of the book is relevant today, she said, adding that kids still worry about whether they should be or look a certain way. “It shows that you can be who you want to be and you don't need anyone else’s opinion to define you,” she said.

Liv Schwartz said she felt lucky that her grade was the first to see the Broadway production.

“I loved it,” she said. “I thought it was cool to see ‘The Outsiders’ from a different perspective, and to see a lot of different versions.”

The trip was fun, Liv said, and she liked being on an outing with the whole grade. “It was a good way to connect and use teamwork,” she said. “We all had to work together to get through the city.”

The story of “The Outsiders” is a lot about friendship, she noted.

“Everyone can feel like an outsider sometimes, and some people can feel like they don’t belong, but you always have someone that you can talk to or feel comfortable with,” Liv said. “I think it was a very good decision to see it.”
 

Simba the lion cub, along with Scar, Mufasa, Nala, and all the animals of the Pride Lands told the uplifting coming-of-age story of Disney’s “The Lion King Jr.” in the Wampus Elementary School fifth grade musical.

Forty-six students in the cast and crew delighted the audience in two sold-out shows on Nov. 7 and 8, rousing performances filled with song, dance, and amazing costumes and makeup.

“The show was fabulous,” said music teacher Dana Celestino, the director. “The students had a blast. They were so excited to be on stage and to get support from the community and their families.”

“When they heard both shows were sold out completely, they were absolutely thrilled,” Ms. Celestino added. “It’s a testament to how hard they worked. ‘The Lion King Jr.’ is a difficult show, and they did such an incredible job.”

The actors took on intricate choreography and learned to sing in several African languages. The crew helped build and paint the costumes and props, and assisted with costume changes, moving the set pieces and running the lights and music.

The show featured the beloved hits: “Circle of Life,” “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King,” “Hakuna Matata,” and “Can You Feel the Love Tonight?”

A new scenic projector, a donation from the Byram Hills Education Foundation, helped immerse the audience in the story with beautifully detailed backdrops.

The students took the story and made it their own. “They embraced the idea of playing animals on the savanna, and they loved getting to play make-believe in this world,” Ms. Celestino said.

Fifth grader Sylvie Scott, who played Young Simba, said the musical was “awesome.”

”I feel like the audience really enjoyed it, and it felt like we were in the story,” she said.

Playing Pumbaa, Isaac Arany said he felt great when he got a lot of laughs. “He was the funniest character in my opinion, because he said the weirdest thing,” he said of his character.

Evelyn Adler, who took on the role of Young Nala, said it was “really cool” to perform for such a large audience. 

“It was a great experience to be in the play because I learned a lot about being in a production,” she said. “I hung out with old friends and made new friends. I had a great time.”

Jack Scarrone was one of the trouble-making hyenas, Shenzi. The shows were fun to perform after all of the work that went into them, he said, adding that he felt proud.

“After, I was sad because I wanted to keep doing it, but I was also really happy because I did it,” he said.

Bree Dubs, who became Older Nala, said: “It was a really fun and exciting experience. I made a lot of new friendships.”

Her highlights were singing a solo with the Lionesses, “Shadowland,” and a duet with Simba, “Can You Feel the Love Tonight.” “It felt so good just finally singing to a crowd because I haven’t done it in so long,” she said. “I missed acting on stage.”

The cast and crew members came together through the production.

“They felt like a family and community,” Ms. Celestino said. “Hopefully, they’re excited to continue with the theater program in Byram Hills.”

Byram Hills High School students returned to Wampus to help with the production.

“Every single one of those high schoolers also had gone through the Wampus fifth-grade musical, and to have them come back and support our current fifth graders was really, really special,” Ms. Celestino said. “They served as leaders and role models, and the fifth graders were really inspired. It’s helping to unite the theater program and have it be one big family.”

 

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.”