Scarsdale Grad Publishes Second Children's Book
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Rachelle Gage, a 2012 graduate of Scarsdale High School, has just published her second children’s book. “Jacob’s Extraordinary Day,” written and illustrated by Gage, was inspired by her autistic brother and his “super senses.” The story follows Jacob and his class as they plan their school's Annual Spring Jam. Jacob ultimately inspires his class to embrace their creativity through a day full of fun and exciting activities.
Rachelle is also the author and illustrator of “The Fantastic Pups.” Her books include themes of kindness, inclusion, and acceptance.
Gage says that her teachers at SHS supported her talents, especially in her AP art class. She says, “I was so happy to have more art incorporated into my school schedule and would even eat lunch in the art room to continue my projects.”
Gage worked as a graphic designer at a fashion company for four years until the COVID crisis caused the company to eliminate the design department. She says, “It was hard at first, but I learned to be resilient, and began working freelance jobs. I really enhanced my work over the past year. I most recently designed the logo and did the illustrations for a new law website and I am currently working on the marketing campaign. I found that continuing to create art helped keep me busy during lockdown. It was during this time that I decided to finally start my second book. While this past year has been difficult and abnormal, I am grateful for the ongoing support from my family and friends.
Rachelle has experience in drawing, photography, and crochet. When she is not working on her art and design, she enjoys traveling, hiking, and obstacle races.
Purchase your copy of “Jacob’s Extraordinary Day” on Amazon here.
Let It Snow
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A two day snowstorm from Sunday January 31 to February 2 compounded by another snowfall on Sunday February 7 has left Scarsdale glazed in white. Kids are sledding, building snowmen and helping their parents shovel paths and driveways. With more snow expected this week, clearing the front walk has become a daily chore.
Thanks to Debra Asher, BK Munguia and Vinnie Phuah for sharing these lovely snow photos. Add yours to our snow gallery by emailing your pictures to scarsdalecomments@gmail.com.
Books Promoting Diversity and Tolerance To Be Highlighted at Free Library Kiosks
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Zane and Asher KohnTwo Scarsdale brothers, Asher and Zane Kohn, have received a $1,000 Stevens Initiative grant to promote tolerance by highlighting books written by or about people from diverse backgrounds. In collaboration with the Scarsdale Public Library (SPL) they are launching Diverse Books Teach Tolerance, a community service project. Books will be purchased and stocked in the free library kiosks and selections will highlight a different theme each month.
The project will launch in February, recommending readings on African American experiences and by African American authors in observance of Black History Month. Find these books at the three kiosks located at Hyatt Field playground, Chase Park, and Crossway Park across from tennis courts. There is normally a fourth kiosk at the Brite Avenue tennis courts, but that one is currently under repair and a fifth kiosk will be installed at the Scarsdale Library when the weather permits.
The program was born out of Asher Kohn’s experience through the virtual exchange program, Experiment Digital, when he got to know counterparts across the US, Middle East, and North Africa and received leadership training to create and implement service projects in local communities. He recruited his brother, Zane Kohn, and came up with the idea for the Diverse Books Teach Tolerance project. They applied to the Stevens Initiative for a grant to fund their idea and were one of fifteen selected and awarded a grant out of 3,000 teens.
Through launching their project, the teens hope to promote diverse perspectives and therefore tolerance in Scarsdale. Zane Kohn explained: “We hope that by bringing diverse books to Scarsdale through the library kiosks, we will encourage people to read these books, start conversations, and bring about positive changes.”
On the program’s launch, Scarsdale Public Library Executive Director, Elizabeth Bermel said, “I was delighted and inspired when the Kohns approached the Library with their idea and thrilled when they won the grant. This program will make a great positive impact locally.”
Recently appointed Teen Librarian, Jennifer Brinley, will work with the Kohns to implement the project. “It is important for the Library to encourage the ambitions and growth of Scarsdale’s teens, especially when it comes to supporting community work,” said Brinley. She further added, “I am happy and proud that Diverse Books Teach Tolerance will be one of the first initiatives I get to support as the new Teen Librarian. I look forward to offering programs and reading materials that inspire an inclusive worldview in the minds and behaviors of Scarsdale’s teens.”
To start, they hope to add new books monthly and have recommended reads for all levels of readers from children to teens to adults. These books will be identifiable in library kiosks by their specialty stickers and bookmarks.
The kiosks function as “take a book, leave a book,” although many people just take or just leave books. Readers are asked to return these specially marked books back to the kiosks when they are finished reading them so they will remain circulating and others in the community can enjoy them as well.
SHS Teens Raising Funds for Leukemia and Lymphoma Research
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Angelina ClarkSHS Seniors Angelina Clark and Victoria (Tori) Von Redden are raising funds for The Leukemia and Lymphoma (LLS) 2021 Students of the Year campaign. The seven-week challenge culminates with the Grand Finale Celebration on March 11th. The funds raised benefit the LLS mission: to find a cure for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and to improve the quality of life of patients and their families.
The money that is raised funds research and treatment for both blood and other cancers.
Since the campaign’s inception in 2014, the Students of the Year program has funded blood cancer research, patient aid, and community outreach programs. Last year alone, more than 5,000 high school students participated throughout the country.
Angelina said, “As someone who has lost relatives to blood cancer, I understand the importance of blood cancer research. Every three minutes someone is diagnosed with blood cancer, so every contribution to LLS helps.” Angelina and Tori are supported by SHS LLS club members Grace Cheng, Isabelle Goldban, Alison Jiang, Samantha (Sam) Kofman, and Maria Salem. As Scarsdale Raiders, they have chosen to name their campaign, “Ders for a Cure.” The campaign ends March 11, 2021. 
Tori Von Redden
Make a tax deductible contribution to support the efforts of “Ders for a Cure” here.
Scarsdale Resident Asks State Officials to Represent Children
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This letter was sent to County Executive George Latimer, State Senator Andrea Stewart Cousins, State Assemblywoman Amy Paulin and NYC Health Commissioner Howard Zucker from Scarsdale resident Colby Mulvey.
I am a parent of two children in the Scarsdale School District, one in 6th grade and another in 3rd grade.
I write to you today to plead with you to please use your office and your voice to put pressure on our Superintendent and our Board of Education to open the schools full time for our students, who have suffered enough.
After listening in on the Rotary Club session with County Executive George Latimer, who was kind enough to take questions and listen to concerned parents, my major take-away is there is no one in a position of power who has spoken for our children. Our children, our most vulnerable and precious citizens. They have no union or board seat, and it has become clear that most people in the local and state governmental offices find it much too easy to point to someone else and say, “It’s them that you need to help you. My hands are tied, I can’t make those rules.”
And that may very well be true. Maybe you can’t force Governor Cuomo to amend the guidelines that say children and staff must maintain 6 feet of distance in the schools, which is what our district is holding up as the main barrier to getting our children back in school where they belong. Maybe you have no official authority to tell our Superintendent that he should have spent more time and energy sourcing and procuring the barriers needed to get so many more of our children back in the classroom. You may not be the one who can change the rules and force change, but you hold a position of power, your words have power, your influence has power, so for Godsakes... use that power to help these kids. They need to be in school, full time, as soon as possible.
I won’t link you to every article I’ve read in the last two weeks reporting that officials at the CDC and most studies have come to believe that schools can reopen safely. I won’t make you suffer through the heartbreaking links to articles explaining the horror in Las Vegas, where 18 children have taken their own lives. I’m sure you’ve seen and read many of the same stories that I have. I simply ask that you read the studies and the reports that have shown, over and over again, schools are not a major source of viral spread. School is a safer place to be than almost anywhere else, for both students and staff. . Please think about these scientific facts long and hard, and then speak up and speak out. Let our intractable and stubborn school administrators hear your voice, loud and clear, on the side of the children. Let the many teachers who want to be back in the classroom doing what they love, know you support them.
We are just parents out here, fighting for our children. I’m not an expert on who makes the rules in government. That’s why we hired you. So please, use your knowledge and the power of your office to make an actual difference and take an actual stand for the people in your community who need it the most right this moment, the children.
