Local Second Graders on Stage in Dream Street
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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Alyssa Marvin and Carly Waldman, both seven-year-old soon-to-be second graders, (Alyssa at Greenacres and Carly at Greenvale), are performing in the brand new musical, Dream Street, this month at The Pearl Theatre on 42nd Street in New York City.
Directed by Laura Luc, Dream Street, which comes straight from London, follows the story of a group of kids auditioning for a big time West End producer. This is not unlike a day in the life of these two young girls. "I love auditioning because it's like you are really becoming the character each time you audition." said Alyssa. Carly added, "You don't always get the part when you audition for something but you keep trying if you love it and you never give up, and that's what Dream Street is all about."
In Dream Street, Alyssa plays the parts of Madeline and George and Carly plays the part of Nora. "I'm really excited about Dream Street because of the amazing dancing in it, and because I get to work with new people and old friends who are so talented," said Alyssa. "I learn a lot really fast during Dream Street rehearsals because so many of the kids are really good singers, actors, dancers, and gymnasts" said Carly. "And the big kids always try to help out the littler kids and then we're friends forever. I think anyone who comes to see the show is going to be really impressed and probably even want to see it again!"
The girls met at the age of two in preschool and have been friends ever since. They share a love for acting, singing and dancing, although it was not until earlier this year they were able to share the stage together for the first time in a New York workshop production of Annie Jr. produced by Kids of the Arts.
Carly has been in many Random Farms Kids Theater shows and most recently played Molly in their production of Annie Jr. She made an appearance on Fox's The Following, can be seen in the web series Sitters, filmed a short film called Search for Light, and performed in the Kids of the Arts produced Broadway Kids. Alyssa has also performed in numerous local children's shows and last November made her New York debut in the 25th Anniversary Production of Number the Stars. She originated the role of Crystal in Sometimes Gay Means Happy at the Planet Connections Theatre Festivity, appeared in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof with Actors Conservatory Theatre, and can be seen in a short film as Young Jane in the Twilight Saga prequel Consumed.
Alyssa's performance dates are August 12 at 2:00 pm, August 14 at 7:30 pm, and August 15 at 7:30 pm.
Carly's performance dates are August 13 at 7:30 pm, August 15 at 2:00 pm, and August 16 at 6:00 PM.
Dream Street features book, music and lyrics by Jo Noel-Hartley. Set Design by Rory Mulholland Scenery, Costumes by Lucy Luc, and Lighting by Michael Catalan. Choreography by DanceMolinariNYC/LA: Stephanie Bissonnette, Alec Vargas and Boe Wank, under artistic direction of Janine Molinari. Music Direction by Sinai Tabak. Directed by Laura Luc.
Tickets can be purchased at www.DreamStreetNYC.com.
The Pearl Theatre is located at 555 W 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.
JCC Announces New Nursery School Interim Director
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Caryn Symons, the current Director of the JCC of Mid-Westchester's Camp Gadol, will assume the position of Interim Director of the JCC's nursery school effective August 31, 2015 replacing Julie Dorfman who is relocating to another state. This position is in addition to Caryn's leadership role as Director of camps. Caryn brings to this role 12 years as a teacher of all ages in the nursery school. In addition, she was a head counselor at Camp Gadol for four years, and became its director in 2010. Caryn received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from SUNY Binghamton and a Master of Science Degree in Education from Queens College.
Karen Kolodny, Executive Director for the JCC stated, "We are proud of the JCC's nursery school with its history of a strong curriculum, nurturing teachers, and supportive community in a healthy and secure JCC. I am confident Caryn will continue to enhance the nursery school for the children and the families and will bring her own ideas as a professional educator to this role". She continues, "I invite people in this community to take this opportunity to meet with Caryn or contact me directly with any questions or to take a tour of our facility."
Greenacres Celebrates July 4th
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- Written by Barry Meiselman
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The sun may not have shined on Greenacres this July 4th, but everyone seemed to relish the comfortable, breezy mid 70's degree weather. A huge turnout of our neighbors celebrated our nation's birthday with watermelon, bagels, lemonade, coffee and donut holes as well as games, races, candy hunts and patriotic activities sponsored by the Greenacres Neighborhood Association. The celebration culminated in the ever popular water jets propelled by a Fire Department engine on an appreciative crowd of children and adults.
Here are the results of the races and games:
3 LEGGED RACE
Parent/Child
Round 1: 1st – David Jakubowicz/Hudson Jakubowicz
2nd –Brad Joyce/Mark Joyce
Round 2: 1st – David Jakubowicz/Hallie Jakubowicz
2nd – Andrea Lorenzo/Vanessa Thurman
3rd – Avi Masry/Benjamin Masry
2nd – 3rd Grade
1st – Blair Rudsenske/Alyssa Marvin
2nd – Leo Huynh/Ben Weiner
3rd – Allison Kahn/Kayla Jakubowicz
4th – 8th Grade
1st – Elena Amidor/Hallie Jakubowicz
2nd – Leon Rode/Damon Rode
3rd – Vanessa Thurman/Lisa Thurman
Adult – Teen
1st – May Cowan/Todd Cohen
2nd – Elya Lavi/Diana Naranpis
3rd – Mitchell Breakstone/
SPOON RACE
Pre-School
1st – Phoebe Schutzer
2nd – Mila Lundy
3rd – Julia Marvin
K – 1st Grade
Round 1 – 1st – Benjamin Roberts
2nd – Mark Joyce
3rd – Lauren Zoland
Round 2 – 1st – Nicholas Faraco
2nd – Matthew Weiner
3rd – Benjamin Masry/Maxwell Richardson (tie)
2nd – 3rd Grade
1st – Nicholas Faraco
2nd – Ben Weiner
3rd – Leo Huynh
4th – 8th Grade
Round 1 – 1st – Jacqueline Joyce
2nd – Lisa Thurman
3rd – Juliana Joyce
Round 2 – 1st – Nicole Zhou
2nd – Cecilia Wang
3rd – Leon Rode
Teen – Adults
1st – Jacqueline Joyce
3rd – Francisco Faraco
SACK RACE
Pre-School
1st – Phoebe Schutzer
2nd – Mark Joyce
3rd – Mila Lundy
K – 1st Grade
Round 1 - 1st – Michelle Meiselman
2nd – Neely Mannor
3rd – Nicholas Faraco
Round 2 -1st – Ozan Kopelman
2nd – Alyssa Marvin/Timothy DesChamps (tie)
3rd – Whitney Rudsenske
2nd -3rd Grade
1st Matthew Zoland
2nd Isabella/Juliana Appel (tie)
3rd Matthew Glassman
4th – 8th Grade
1st Lisa Thurman
2nd Hudson Jakubowicz/Isabelle Mezger (tie)
3rd Mitchell Breakstone/Elena Amidor (tie)
Teen – Adult
1st Julian Higgins 3rd Jacqueline Joyce
DASH
Pre-School 1st Julia Marvin
K – 1st Grade Round 1 – 1st Nicholas Faraco
2nd Michelle Meiselman
3rd Lauren Zoland
Round 2 - 2nd Andrew Marvin
3rd Benjamin Masry
2nd – 3rd Grade
1st Isabella Nwokeji
2nd Matthew Glassman
3rd Ben Weiner
4th – 8th Grade
1st Julian Higgins
2nd Cindy De Dianous
3rd Mitchell Breakstone
Teen – Adult
1st Avi Masry
2nd Julian Higgins
3rd Steven Greene
FOUL SHOTS
2nd – 3rd Grade 1st Leo Chavis
4th – 8th Grade 1st Vanessa/ Lisa Thurman (tie)
2nd Leon Rode
3rd Gabriel Lesser
Teen – Adult 1st Warren Breakstone
Photos and Text, Barry Meiselman, Race Results, Mona Longman
Alex Baranick Weds Tawnie Chandler in California
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Alexandra Baranick and Tawnie Chandler were married at the Bel-Air Bay Club in Pacific Palisades, California on July 26, 2015. Alex is a 2006 graduate of Scarsdale High School and her parents David and Karen Baranick still live in town. She attended Dickinson College and now lives in New York City where she works as the Coordinator of Strategic Initiatives for the Union for Reform Judaism.
Tawnie grew up in Columbus, Ohio and her mother Kristie and stepfather Mike recently moved to Portland Oregon for a more outdoorsy lifestyle. Her father, Bryan, lives in Champagne County, Ohio where he grew up and where Tawnie was born. Tawnie holds a BA and a Masters in Social Work from the University of Kentucky and is a Development Associate at the New York Foundling
The two met online.
Their wedding was officiated by Rabbi Jonathan Blake of 
Westchester Reform Temple who flew to California to perform the ceremony. Many Scarsdale friends of both the bride and her parents attended a joyous weekend celebration in Bel Air, where the Baranicks recently purchased a home. The wedding party included her sister and maid of honor Amanda Baranick, bridesmaid Carolyn Fisher, who was a teammate of Alex's on the Scarsdale soccer team, and ring bearer Jon Kurzner a close friend from Scarsdale.
Three Scarsdale Girls to Participate in SHS Australia Exchange
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- Written by Geoffrey Fitzgerald
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G'day Mate! Three Scarsdale students are heading off to Perth Australia to participate in an exchange program with St. Mary's Anglican School. The rising tenth grade girls will attend school in Australia from July 12 to August 24 and experience both the school environment and the world around, traveling in Australia as well. Two of the Scarsdale students will be living with host families, while the third will be at the boarding school with the St. Mary's student.
St. Mary's Anglican School is part of the Global Learning Alliance, a program started by the Teaching College at Columbia University and the Scarsdale Public Schools system. As a result of this relationship, the idea of an exchange program was developed between St Mary's Anglican School and Scarsdale High School. St. Mary's Anglican School has an active exchange program, partnering with many schools internationally.
Three students from the St. Mary's Anglican School will come to Scarsdale for six weeks during September and into October to live with the Scarsdale families. The students will also do some traveling around New York City and the area, similarly to the traveling the Scarsdale students will be doing.
The program is being organized by Assistant Principal Sue Peppers, who will travel to Australia and also hopes to set up a similar exchange program with a boys school.
Clara Enders, one of the three girls going on the trip said, "I'm so excited for the exchange program! I'm looking forward to exploring Australia, getting to know my host family, making new friends, and becoming more independent. I've already become friends with the girl whose house I'll be staying at. We've chatted on the web and Skyped, and we've swapped pictures of our families and houses, and even the views out our windows. I feel like I know her already!"
