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Written by: Joanne Wallenstein

Published: 15 February 2026

Created: 15 February 2026

Last Updated: 15 February 2026

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Sonja Xie and Linda Zhang with Assemblymember Amy PaulinRegeneron Science Talent Search: On Thursday evening February 5, 2026 , Legislators celebrated 22 Westchester County high school students who were named 2026 Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS) Scholars, including two finalists, selected from a national pool of 2,600 applicants. On the list are Vasu Jain, Ananya Shah from Edgemont High School and Sonja Xie, and Shuyue (Linda) Zhang from Scarsdale High School.

The students were chosen as part of a highly competitive group of 300 semi-finalists and finalists in one of the nation’s most prestigious science and mathematics competitions, now in its 85th year. Alumni of the Regeneron Science Talent Search include Nobel laureates, MacArthur Fellows, and recipients of the National Medal of Science. Two Westchester scholars are among the 40 finalists who will travel to Washington, D.C. in March to present their research and compete for the top prize of $250,000.

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals hosted the annual STS Scholars ceremony at its Tarrytown headquarters, recognizing outstanding students from 12 Westchester high schools. Legislators presented Certificates of Merit to Scholars from their districts, highlighting the students’ innovation, discipline, and commitment to scientific research. The scope and quality of the projects reflect the County’s strong academic culture.

Westchester County Board of Legislators Chairman Vedat Gashi (D–New Castle, Ossining, Somers, Yorktown) said, “Each year, these students raise the bar for academic excellence. Their achievements reflect not only their own talent and determination, but also the vital support of families, teachers, and school communities. Congratulations to all.”

Westchester County’s 2026 Regeneron Science Talent Search Scholars:

Ardsley High School: Khushi Karthikeyan*, Serina Tomioka
Byram Hills High School: Max Charney, Lindsay Coady
Briarcliff High School: Elias Malionek
Horace Greeley High School: Warren Fu, Kevin Guo, Brady Wang
Harrison High School: Noelie Roxane Boquet Couderc, Emily Ann Salemo
Ossining High School: Summerville Beckford
Pelham Memorial High School: Emily Walch
Edgemont High School: Vasu Jain, Ananya Shah
Scarsdale High School: Sonja Xie, Shuyue (Linda) Zhang
Westlake High School: Elizabeth Lilian Singh
Yorktown High School: Jashvi Desai*, Siddharth Nair, Willa Olson

Youth Services Awards

The annual Youth Service Awards, an initiative of the Westchester County Youth Bureau and the Westchester County Youth Board, selects and honors outstanding high school juniors and seniors who have distinguished themselves for their leadership and dedication to service and social justice. On Thursday February 12, these students were recognized, including Rowan Dias and Harrison Greebel of Scarsdale.
2025-2026 Youth Service Award Recipients:

Rafael Aldana-Diaz (Yonkers)Rowan Dias and Harrison Greebel with Assemblymember Amy Paulin
Rowan Dias (Scarsdale)
Harrison Greebel (Scarsdale)
Joshua Jones (Peekskill)
Adanhyr Morocho-Chuchuca (Sleepy Hollow)
Lily Mei Peckham (Bronxville)
Dana Proudian (Mamaroneck)
Eric A. Rodriques (Mount Vernon)
Leila Sadek (Yonkers)
Micahia Simpkins (New Rochelle)
Zior Williams (Mount Vernon)
Chairwoman’s Award:
Aiden Mendez (Ossining)

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Written by: Robert Mawson

Published: 06 February 2026

Created: 06 February 2026

Last Updated: 06 February 2026

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Scarsdale Theatre, looking east across Garth Road, circa 1937. Courtesy of the Westchester County Historical SocietyA 30-acre enclave just south of the Scarsdale Harlem Line Rail Station, Garth Road suddenly developed in the late 1920s, only to stop equally suddenly with the Depression. Over the next four decades, it came to fulfill the developer’s vision with a collection of multifamily housing developments that also reflecting the changing real estate environment. Today, with a population of 3300 in 1750 units, Garth Road has 13 residential buildings, nearly all cooperatively-owned, complemented by a robust main-street commercial center, formal and rustic parkland, and commuter rail and roadway access.

The Development of Garth Road, Eastchester, New York, 1926-66 tells that story in three parts. The first part explores the forces that led to the original vision and the haltingly forty-year saga of development in the neighborhood. The second part is a building-by-building historic and architectural survey of each building in the district. The last section is a detailed look at one building, The Thornycroft, and its architect, George F. Pelham.

Written by architectural historian Robert Mawson, the monograph is available online free-of-charge from the Scarsdale Historical Society’s website in the articles section at the following link:

Garth Road looking northwest at Eton Hall, Eton Lodge, and Northgate, circa 1935. Courtesy of the Westchester County Historical Society

In other news from the Scarsdale Historical Society, they just launched their first podcast, ScarsTales, uncovering the untold, unexpected, and occasionally scandalous stories behind Scarsdale’s past.

In the premiere episode of ScarsTales, host Lori Rothman is joined by fellow Scarsdale Historical Society trustees and village historians Jordan Copeland and Leslie Chang to introduce the podcast and share two of their favorite local history discoveries. Listen here:

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Written by: Rebecca Ludwig

Published: 29 January 2026

Created: 29 January 2026

Last Updated: 31 January 2026

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On Wednesday, January 28th, Westchester community members came together at Congregation Kol Ami for an Interfaith Call to Action and Prayer, to stand up against the horrific events that occurred in Minneapolis. There were over 700 people in the live audience, with Kol Ami at full capacity with an additional 250 watching the event on livestream.

People of many backgrounds, religions and communities, all united together against ICE. This call to action and prayer aimed to share, care and stand together against violence in our nation. The event featured speeches from many clergy from different temples and churches, and elected officials, including Congressman George Latimer. Kelly Rogers, the Senior Minister at Scarsdale Congregational Church helped to make the event possible in a short amount of time, planning alongside Rabbi Blake from Westchester Reform Temple, Rabbi Fenster from Kol Ami, and many other clergy.

Community member Andrea Seiden, who attended the event said, “Neighbors from all walks of life united in our shared commitment to dignity, justice, and care for one another… Clergy from a multitude of churches and synagogues led us in a spiritual call to action – like I have never seen before. Standing together, we held hands and sang “We Shall Overcome;” you could see tears in people’s eyes as the final chords echoed through the sanctuary — it was a powerful moment that reminded us we are not alone and that we have confronted injustice before. Our local leaders also spoke with honesty and heart, acknowledging the weight of what so many are experiencing and sharing that it’s keeping them up at night. They reaffirmed their commitment to fighting for policies that recognize each person’s humanity. As we filed out of the sanctuary, there was a sense of both grief and hope — we are grieving together, but we also felt strengthened by the knowledge that we are part of a community that stands together, speaks up together, and works toward justice together. I hope in the coming days we will hear more from our elected and spiritual leaders about concrete steps we can take and ways to turn our shared concern into meaningful action.

Community Leaders After introductory music from a guitar and drum duo, the event began with speeches and prayers. Rabbi Jason Fenster from Kol Ami spoke first. “We speak in different languages… but we are here tonight to affirm that we are one. We are one human family- rooted in compassion and love. We are here to stand together in love” he began. “Too many neighbors are afraid.” He was then joined by Rabbi Jonathan Blake from Westchester Reform Temple who said, “God of mercy and strength. You have called us to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with you. Yet too often we shrink in fear, hesitant to speak when voices must be raised…” Reverend Pete Jones from Hitchcock Presbyterian Church added, “Grant us courage Oh God, courage to stand with the oppressed, courage to speak truth in the face of silence…”

Kelly Rogers, Senior Minister at Scarsdale Congregational Church welcomed Reverend Danielle Lindstrum, the Minister of the Community Unitarian Congregation at White Plains, and Reverend Doris Dalton, the Director of Connectional Ministries for the New York Conference of the United Methodist Church. They recited the famous words from Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. “Deep down in our nonviolent creed is the conviction… There are some things so precious that they’re worth dying for… A man dies when he refuses to stand up for what is right. A man dies when he refuses to stand up for what is true. So, we’re going to stand up!”

Following this, Reverend Astrid Storm and Reverend Eliza Davies from Saint James the Less read a litany. “Break down the walls of indifference within us and replace them with mercy and understanding. Make our communities places of welcome and belonging, where no one is left unseen or unheard…” The audience responded with, “Help us to be the change we wish to see in this world.” The final clergy members to speak were Rabbi Leora Frankel, Associate Rabbi at Larchmont Temple and President of the Westchester Board of Rabbis, and Pastor Debra Morris of the Church of Living God in Yonkers. They offered a prayer for peace and unity. They said, “Where there is hate, show love. When there is injury, bring healing. When there is division, bring unity… Together we may build a world of love and justice… In your many names, we pray.”

Rabbi Fenster asked for the elected officials not to give speeches or platitudes, but rather to “explain how they will vote, what policies they will and will not enact, what contracts they will and will not sign, and what decisions will be made in Westchester to keep our communities whole and safe.”

The first elected official to speak was Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins. Jenkins said, “Elected officials are continuing to stand up and fight against anything that tries to divide our communities. We always are going to continue to stand strong with all of our colleagues in government, but more importantly on behalf of all of you, because we live here too. And we need to make sure to not only raise our voice here in Westchester, we have an Immigrant Protection Act here in Westchester… we’re going to keep raising our voices saying what is wrong and what we’re not going to do. We’re not going to turn away anyone that needs assistance. We’re not going to move away from our neighbors. We’re not going to try to make sure that we’re dividing folks. But more importantly, we’ve got to stand up and say ‘even if we’re protected here in Westchester, there’s not enough protection for everyone. There's too many people that look around and live in fear and all of us are responsible for standing up and making sure that everyone in Westchester understands we’re here for everyone all the time… All of us should not, cannot, and will not allow each other to look away from what we saw in Minnesota, twice… We need to continue to stand up, speak out, and more importantly support all of us trying to do what’s right everyday, and not look away, not be quiet, and let everyone know they don’t stand alone.”

NYS Assmeblymember Amy Paulin said, "We find ourselves at a crossroads where the principles of democracy and the sanctity of life hang in the balance. We stand Amy Paulin and Kelly Rogershere tonight, gathering in both sorrow and determination as we mourn the tragic loss of the two lives in Minneapolis. These heart-wrenching murders has shaken us to our core. It has forced us to confront uncomfortable truths about our country.

Personally, I feel changed by these tragedies. When Rabbi Blake texted me and Rev. Rogers only four days ago, that we must do something, I knew he was right. From that text, tonight was born. Look at us!

Tonight we are telling the world this is not who we are. I want you to know your presence gives me strength. It gives us collective strength. There is a climate of fear being created, but we cannot succumb. We have to muster our collective strength to be brave, and help others more vulnerable. Our immigrant neighbors work tirelessly, yet many of them live in fear—fear of being marginalized, targeted, or separated from their families. We cannot allow them to feel abandoned in Westchester County; we must stand in solidarity with them. Tonight we are doing just that.

The climate of fear is exacerbated by rhetoric that seeks to divide rather than unite us, and it is further inflamed by aggressive policies that ignore the humanity of our immigrant community, and everyone who supports them.

As a legislator, I must ensure that we pass effective legislation that not only protects our immigrant population but also sends a clear message: that they are valued members of our community. This includes fighting against any measures that empower ICE agents to target and terrorize families in our neighborhoods.

Today is not just a day of remembrance; it is a rallying cry for action! We can’t be afraid to gather, or to protest when we see injustice. As we reflect on the lessons learned from these tragedies, let us recognize that hope is not just a passive emotion; it’s an active resolve—a challenge that each of us must accept.

Tonight we reclaim our democracy. Our democracy should serve everyone, regardless of background, beliefs, or status. Tonight we channel our sorrow into strength, and transform our grief into action. Together, we will build back a Westchester County, a New York State and a Country where every person feels safe, respected, and valued."

White Plains Mayor Justin Brasch said, “This is the time when we need to stand up for our friends and stand up for what is right… so we gather tonight to stand up for our rights… and most importantly for those that are most vulnerable in our society… We demand that ICE stop occupying our streets, spreading fear and division. We are demanding that our political leadership across the spectrum protect our rights and our democracy.”

Scarsdale Mayor Justin ArestWhite Plains Mayor Justin Brasch was joined by Scarsdale Mayor Justin Arest, who added, “I want to talk about what I believe this moment demands of us. Not as Democrats or Republicans, not as people on one side of any policy debate or another, but as Americans. Because what has happened in Minneapolis, and what it reveals about this moment, transcends politics. It goes to something deeper. This country was founded on a radical idea: that rights don’t come from government. They come before government… and our Constitution doesn’t say these rights belong only to citizens. It says ‘persons.’... This isn’t my interpretation. It’s what the Supreme Court has said, repeatedly, for over a century… Rights that don’t apply to the least protected among us aren’t rights at all. They're just privileges for a few… So when we see force used without justification… we don’t look away. We can’t. We ask questions. We demand transparency. We insist on the truth. That’s not partisan. It’s patriotic.”

Congressman George LatimerCongressman George Latimer spoke next. “We have lost the appreciation of human beings, and turned it into commodities. And when you do that then someone will pull out a gun and will kill someone…” He began. “The Constitution sets up three branches of government and allows the executive certain authority, but it allows the legislature certain authority, and this Department of Homeland Security has refused to honor the legislature’s right to enter into ICE facilities, to provide legislative oversight of the executive branch, and that leads to what happens on the streets of Minneapolis… You resign, Secretary Noem, or we impeach you,” he added. He left the audience with a piece of advice, “If you're looking for the silver bullet that stops this, it doesn't exist. But what you can do- find 5 people you know… and partner with them. Help them see how you feel.”

Assembly Member Chris Burdick added, “These federal attacks on our citizens are unconstitutional and totally contrary to our fundamental rights and freedoms. This is not the America we know and love. I stand in solidarity with the Democrats in the United States Senate for announcing that they will block the bill that will fund DHS and ICE. Until the necessary changes are implemented, ICE’s reign of terror must come to an end… I also call on New York’s seven Republican Congress members to demonstrate some courage and demand that President Trump withdraw ICE from the streets of Minnesota.”

The gathering ended with a wonderful speech from Reverend Trollinger from Calvary Baptist Church in White Plains. He said, “What threatens one life threatens the moral fabric of the soul of America. We must refuse to allow violence to define our future… Every person matters. Every family deserves to be safe… Tonight, I call you all to stand with the families that are mourning right now in Minneapolis and throughout America. Stand with the communities of our Latino brothers and sisters who we invited tonight and were too afraid to come tonight because of the fear that’s in America. Stand with those who feel targeted…We have come together for what? To share and to care in solidarity. What do we stand for? Justice... With truth and dignity for all. Who do we stand with? The People of Minnesota. The immigrants that sought a better life in America and communities that are under siege by ICE throughout this land. Here is a question that I close with this. How will we move forward? Here’s the answer- together. With one heartbeat, one voice, and one purpose, let us gather… We will not be violent in the face of fear. We will not be divided in fear, we shall share, we will care, we will stand, we will heal, we will raise together, our community can be better.” Reverend Trollinger closed out his speech with reciting the lyrics from the song “This Land Is Your Land”, highlighting how powerful and important those lyrics are, especially with all that is happening today.

Everyone in the room appeared to be moved by the powerful remarks during this 90 minute demonstration of community strength.

Watch the recording of the event here:

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Written by: Joanne Wallenstein

Published: 22 January 2026

Created: 22 January 2026

Last Updated: 22 January 2026

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The Citizens Nominating Committee (CNC) is pleased to announce its slate of candidates for the upcoming election, scheduled for March 18th, 2026.

The nominated candidates are:

-Tim Foley
-Ron Schulhof
-Scott Silberfein

The general election will take place on Wednesday March 18th, 2026, at the Scarsdale Public Library 54 Olmsted, in the Scott Room. Voting hours are from 6:00 am to 9:00 pm.

Amy Frank, Chair of the CNC, and Vice Chair Liang Leon Xin led the committee in selecting the slate. Additionally, the CNC has elected Joe Zakierski as Chair and Casey Lehman as Vice Chair for the upcoming year, with Allison Zolot serving as the Vice Chair of the Procedure Committee.

Beginning in early December 2025, the CNC conducted a thorough search for potential candidates, engaging in extensive due diligence. While deliberations and reference conversations remain confidential, the CNC meticulously evaluated each candidate's background experience, and qualifications.

"We extend our gratitude to all candidates who submitted an application and to the CNC members for their dedication and diligence in selecting this exemplary slate of candidates," said Amy Frank.

The Citizens Nominating Committee (CNC) is a non-partisan committee composed of 30 elected Scarsdale residents dedicated to identifying and nominating highly qualified individuals for village offices to ensure effective and representative local governance. The CNC process is conducted with strict confidentiality to maintain fairness and integrity and is guided by the rules set by the Procedure Committee and the Non-Partisan Resolution.

Here's some information about each of the candidates:

Tim Foley

Tim Foley has been a consummate and thoughtful volunteer in the Scarsdale community since his family moved here 13 years ago. He served as President of the Scarsdale Forum in 2019-2020, during which year the Forum’s membership numbers increased, a new Climate Resilience Committee was formed, and the Forum committees produced a number of important reports on the county budget, the Village budget, and municipal services and traffic. More recently, Tim is currently the Secretary for the Scarsdale Bowl Committee, First Vice President of the Scarsdale Democratic Town Committee, and Chair of the County Fiscal Affairs Committee for the Scarsdale Forum. He spent four years on the Planning Board, and in the past was on the Advisory Council on Human Relations, the Procedure Committee, as a non-voting member on the Citizens Nominating Committee and as a basketball coach for Fox Meadow Elementary School for the Scarsdale Rec Program. He is dad to a 10th grader at Scarsdale High School and a 5th grader at Fox Meadow, and a parishioner at the Church of Saint Pius X in Scarsdale.

Tim has a background in policy, local politics, and member-driven organizations. He was the Communications Director for NYS Assemblymember Amy Paulin, and worked for her on many of her special projects and initiatives focused on Westchester County, including: coordinating the work of 33 local governments and school districts in Westchester, Suffolk, and Nassau Counties to challenge the IRS regulations disallowing the use of charitable funds to offer relief for taxpayers straining with the cap on the State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction; and supporting local community efforts to push for reform in reaction to the problematic response by Con Edison to the March 2018 nor’easters.

Tim Foley is currently the CEO and Executive Vice President of The Building & Realty Institute (BRI), a real estate trade association in Westchester County and the Hudson Valley.

Ron Schulhof

Ron Schulhof has been a resident of Scarsdale for 12 years and has been an active civic volunteer throughout that time. He previously served on the Scarsdale Board of Education from 2019 to 2025, including as Board President and Vice President. Ron has also served on several Village committees, including the Conservation Advisory Council, where he helped launch new services such as the Food Scrap Recycling Program and weekly recycling. In addition, he has volunteered for many years as a youth sports coach. Ron is deeply committed to thoughtful governance and to making tangible, positive improvements for the Scarsdale community.

Scott Silberfein

Scott Silberfein and his wife Joey have lived in Scarsdale since 2006 and are the proud parents of three daughters who graduated from Scarsdale High School. Professionally, Scott is an attorney with 25+ years of experience in commercial, business, and class action litigation and is currently a partner at Sultzer & Lipari, PLLC. Scott is also a longtime community volunteer. He served on the Scarsdale Board of Education from 2014-2020 including 1.5 years as President. He is currently serving as a Board member of the Scarsdale Schools Education Foundation, the Scarsdale Youth Soccer Club, and Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity's Supreme Council and is member of Scarsdale’s Judicial Qualifications Advisory Committee. Among other roles, Scott is a former member of the Scarsdale Bowl Committee and Scarsdale’s Board of Ethics, and a former Board member of Westchester Reform Temple, the Greenacres Neighborhood Association, and the Crohn’s Colitis Foundation of America-Westchester/Fairfield Chapter. He also proudly coached his daughters’ recreational soccer, basketball, and softball teams. He holds a BA (Political Science) from the University of Delaware and a JD from the Cardozo School of Law.