Raising Awareness to Prevent Distracted Driving, One High School at a Time
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- Written by Ori Zaff
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Scarsdale High School seniors search desperately for parking every morning. And if finding a spot is not hard enough, in order to have the privilege of using the designated senior lots, students must attend a mandatory driver's safety meeting to receive a parking pass. At the meeting, along with signing a pledge to follow the rules of the road and drive safely, a speech was given to alert the students and their parents to the dangers of distracted driving. On Monday night September 16 at the Scarsdale High School auditorium, Jacy Good told the story of her parent's tragic death to the class of 2014.
The speech was preceded by a quick introduction by Principal Kenneth Bonamo. To deter reckless behavior on the roads, Bonamo relayed statistics to the crowd about the percentage of teen deaths brought about by driving accidents (one third) and the increased risk teens face on the road. He told the attendees that on a campus with tight roads, pedestrians, and limited parking, there's the potential for driving accidents which prompted the school to hold explanatory meetings before allowing students to get their parking permits.
After Bonamo's introduction it was Jacy's turn. Jacy runs a movement with her college boyfriend and current fiancé, Steve Johnson to shed light on the frequent use of cellular devices while driving and to lead a social and cultural shift away from their use. Jacy grew up in Amish country but moved to New York after college. However, on her graduation day, as she drove back to her house in Pennsylvania, her life abruptly changed for the worse.
Jacy's memory cuts off at that point in the story and she showed a video of her fiancé to fill in the gap. That day Jacy had not been answering his calls or texts, and the next time he got a call from her it was from a medic. They reported that Jacy had been traumatically and critically injured, and that her parents were dead. Steve and Jacy's brother rushed over and waited for her to get out of an intensive surgery. Her chances of recovery were at a mere 10%. But after two weeksina coma, Jacy finally awakened. Broken bones and organ damage weren't the worst of it, Jacy had significant brain damage and couldn't (and still can't) move the left side of her body. She was barely conscious and unable to form memories, unable to understand her surroundings and living in her own world. "It still shocks me. It's still hard to believe how all of it could have happened in one day, driving back from my graduation ceremony nonetheless," said Jacy when asked about the period of time that was lost to her. After two months Jacy was brought to a rehabilitation facility to continue her recovery. Slowly but surely she was able to figure out that her parents were gone, her memory and her education were faded, and her physical and mental ability deteriorated. It was devastating to her and those close to her.
The devastating accident had occurred in rural Pennsylvania, just five minutes after Jacy and her parents left a gas station. At an intersection on a one-lane highway, an eighteen-year-old on his way to a Church camp reunion was on his phone. The young driver missed the fact that the light had changed due to his narrowed field of vision when driving distracted. A dairy truck, seeking to avoid collision with the young man's car, swerved into the lane of oncoming traffic, where Jacy and her parents were driving.
Luckily, a paramedic who lives in the house just across a field from the accident heard the collision. He rushed over, found the cars, and checked inside. Jacy's mother had not fastened her seatbelt and was killed just after impact. Her father's pulse was faint and he died almost immediately after being found. Jacy was still alive but unable to breathe. An ambulance quickly came to take her off to the nearest trauma center.
As she healed, Jacy struggled to cope and understand by doing research on distracted driving. She found that the brain's natural function of scanning to the sides and further down the road while driving are inhibited when using a mobile phone, even on Bluetooth. She found that although New York considers a collision like this manslaughter, Pennsylvania is far behind on drunk driving, texting, seatbelt, and traffic safety laws. The young man making a phone call was not prosecuted. "Even if you kill someone, there's no punishment, and it just seemed like there should have been something to do about it," said Jacy.
Still in recovery, she went before the state and made an appeal to strengthen driving laws. She was denied. She tried several times and was repeatedly rejected. When she returned to New York, she began to work with Governor Cuomo, a major activist against texting and driving. Cuomo has special forces in place who patrol specifically to find violators of the distracted driving laws of New York. Jacy's work escalated and she was soon involved in speeches at the United Nations, even working alongside Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. She has worked on awareness projects with Oprah Winfrey and with her fiancé Steves runs a foundation called Hang Up and Drive. "It's the only thing I can be doing," says Jacy. "The accident was the worst day of my life and I had to make something positive out of this. If I could have my life back, I would of course take it. But I've been handed these cards and I want to play them my best."
The general consensus from seniors after the presentation was one of a new appreciation for the dangers of distracted driving. "It was a breathtaking story," said Jake Schechner at the conclusion of the presentation. "It was truly touching, she's such an inspiration," elaborated Kate Howard. "It was good that they tackled an issue less obvious than drinking and driving," said Chris D'Silva I learned more here than I expected.
Jacy drove home the message that what happened to her can happen to anyone unless awareness is spread everywhere. She called upon the students to make a 
commitment to her and to themselves to be safe drivers and to make distracted driving as socially unacceptable as drunk driving, because one out of four crashes occur as a result of cell phone usage on the roads. Jacy urged students to realize that they are not invincible; accidents can happen to anyone, no matter how well they know the roads and no matter how safely they drive.
Jacy's story demonstrated that texting and distracted driving can cause unbearable pain and suffering that ripples outwards to family and friends and lasts a lifetime. As Steve said in the concluding video of the presentation, "You don't know if you're saving a life, but you sure as hell know if you do the opposite."
Photo Credit (Top Photo): Ronny Hersch
Contributer Ori Zaff is a Scarsdale High School senior in the A-School.
How to Help Young Children Transition from Home to Preschool
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- Written by Dr. Michelle Sanders
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It's the beginning of the school year. You've taken care of every item on the mental checklist you've been carrying around in your head (or if you're like me it needs to be written down!) School orientation-check, new clothes-check, supplies-check, first day of school outfit-check, pictures taken-check. If you're a parent who has completed the copious "to do" list and still find yourself in the school parking lot with a screaming child who refuses to leave his car seat, this article is for you. As a child psychologist and mother of twins, I can assure you that separation related to a school setting can present many challenges, even in the most optimal circumstances. Here is some vital information to make the transition from home to school less stressful for you and your child:
A Brief Background About the Process of Separation
As parents we often anticipate with happiness, pride and sometimes a sense of relief sending our children off to the very first day of school. We can pat ourselves on the back as we've made it through one more child-rearing hurdle! For many children, separating from their parents for nursery school or kindergarten is the longest time they've spent away from parents on a consistent basis. Psychologically, separation is a more complicated process than it may seem and is part of a process called individuation. Put simply, separation and individuation is when children, both physically and emotionally, learn that they are separate entities from their parents. This is a time when children need extra reassurance that parents will always be there to take care of them.
1) Structure, Structure and More Structure
Children thrive on predictability. Try to keep to routines as much as possible. Too many changes in bedtime, mealtime, etc., can make children anxious. They are too young to know that their needs will be met if there is variability in their schedules. I don't want to confuse structure with rigidity. Life is so complicated that we sometimes end up letting our kids stay up to watch a favorite show, come home late from family functions, etc. This is a perfectly normal, healthy and part of life. Structure is healthy; rigidity can cause anxiety.
2) Temper Tantrums and Refusals to Go to School
One of the most important ways to handle temper tantrums is to monitor your child and attempt to de-escalate what you see coming. You know what triggers your child. A child who is overwhelmed with too many activities, dragged from school to run errands or isn't feeling well, may very well have a "melt down." We've all been there. It can be embarrassing and frustrating. Although it is easier said than done, try to stay calm. Speak to your child in a calm yet firm voice. Sometimes, it's best to just call it a day and cut your losses. Your child will not miss out on anything crucial by missing a day or two of school.
3) Be Enthusiastic
Talk about the new and exciting experiences your child can look forward to. Perhaps there is a playground with new equipment your child hasn't seen before, the opportunity to play multiple musical instruments, learn new types of art (finger painting is so much easier when it is done in school than when we have to clean it up at home!). In the preschool years, many programs focus on dramatic play in which children dress up and/or take on different roles. By doing so, they learn how to interact and share with other children, resolve conflicts and problem solve. Share your child's smallest successes with family and friends. Encouraging your child to phone a grandparent or aunt may give you information you hadn't heard before.
4) Expect That Your Child May Become More Dependent and/or Revert to Regressive Behaviors
Change can be difficult for young children, even in the most optimal of circumstances. Some children may enter a school setting with little difficulty, while others may present with very challenging behaviors and fears. I always tell my patients, that you know your child better than anyone. Most parents are aware of their child's ability to adjust to new situations, frustration tolerance and anxieties. Some children may revert to previous developmental levels. For example, a child who previously sucked his thumb may begin doing so again. Some very young children who have been fully toilet trained, may begin to have accidents, especially during the night.
It can be helpful to know that many of these behaviors are normal and are most likely a response to the separation. You may want to explain to your child that sometimes children do things they did when they were younger when they are feeling afraid. Reassure your child that it's normal for children to feel/act in these ways in new situations. In most cases, regressive behaviors normalize once children feel more comfortable and confident in their new surroundings. If you feel your child's behavior becomes markedly different (e.g., regressive behaviors increase in frequency and intensity, they display signs of withdrawal, intense anger or irritability), you should seek the advice of your pediatrician to rule out any medical conditions. You may also consider consulting a licensed psychologist for specific interventions tailored to your child's needs.
6) Give Your Child a Picture or Special Memento
Young children are very concrete. Having something special to look at or hold onto while they are at school can be comforting. Try to have your child pick out what would be important for him/her to have. It may be a family picture or a small toy; the choice is theirs. You may want to include a note in or drawing in your child's lunch/snack box. When saying "goodbye" it's helpful to remain calm and reassure your child that she/he will have a good day. Reassuring them by saying, "Mommies/Daddies always come back" may be helpful. These small gestures communicate to your child that you are still thinking of them, even when you are not physically with them.
7) Reflect Upon Your Own Experiences of Separation From Your Parents
The ability to reflect upon our own experiences of separation as a child can be helpful to understand and appreciate what our children may be experiencing. Try to remember how your parents handled your first major separation from them and how you felt about it. In general, we tend to parent in ways similar to how we were parented. You may want to talk to your children about what your separation from your parents felt like when you were a child. Sharing these experience can help normalize your child's feelings.
Children can be surprisingly resilient in their ability to adapt to new situations. They just need our reassurance and support along the way.
Dr. Sanders is co-director at www.DrMomsNY.com. To schedule an initial complimentary consultation, call 917-533-4832 or email DrMomsNY@gmail.com.
Ashton Kutcher’s ‘Jobs’ Is Actually Not That Bad
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Web entrepreneur, tech journalist and SHS Alumni Rob Fishman previewed the new biopic "Job" starring Ashton Kutcher and posted the following review on The Daily Beast. The film is showing at multiple locations in Westchester this weekend. If you see it, let us know what you think.
For those of us Same Thinkers, Hollywood's fascination of late with Silicon Valley is titillating. All that time whiled away on software, and rarely are we afforded a glimpse into the souls of those who manufacture it. The 2010 film The Social Network—to borrow a phrase popular with tech types—"opened the kimono" a bit on the industry. In that film, we met Mark Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg), a programming wunderkind who talked fast but sold his schoolmates out even faster. Of all the friends to be had on Facebook, its founder seemed the least appealing.
The screenwriter, Aaron Sorkin, is now at work on his follow-up about the Apple visionary Steve Jobs. If Sorkin's as-yet uncast protagonist at all resembles his last, filmgoers will surely harden in their distaste for our reigning technocracy, seen to be high on IQ and low on compassion. What with biographer Walter Isaacson's characterization of his late subject—"frequently obnoxious, rude, selfish, and nasty to other people"—one worries how Jobs will play in Sorkin's hands.
Between that hard place and Isaacson's rock of a book Friday comes Jobs, Ashton Kutcher's indie biopic. The film has been widely panned and dismissed. The Guardian's Brian Moylan speculated that Jobs "would have taken a big steaming dump" on the picture. Apple co-founder Steven Wozniak has repeatedly disputed its veracity. Jobs, writes Mark Olsen, "feels curiously out of touch with its subject, both as a man and regarding his impact."
And yet, despite its shortcomings, Jobs is not so bad as its critics insist. In fact, it's not half-bad at all.
The film, directed by Joshua Michael Stern, spans the years between Jobs's failed enrollment at Reed College and his triumphal return to Apple some 20 years later. Save for the opening scene, Kutcher is happily spared any Benjamin Button–style makeovers, instead reprising a look that comes naturally to him: the shaggy hair and hippie vests of That '70s Show. This is not yet the Jobs of a hundred black turtlenecks.
The story gets off to clumsy start. Relevant backstory is condensed into a few lines of artless dialogue. Perambulating the college campus, "Steven" is implored by an unnamed professor, in a distracting cameo by James Woods, to stay in school. "I want to live the idea of art, not study it," Kutcher's Jobs replies.
Dropping acid soon after in a wheat field, as a Bach concerto crescendos, Jobs says aloud: "Who has a baby, then throws it away like it's nothing?"
"Are you talking about your birth parents?" his girlfriend asks.
Where the movie hits its stride is where Steve Jobs found his: in the creation and growth of Apple Computers. Filmmakers secured the actual Los Altos garage where Jobs grew up. Led by the sweet, unassuming, and ingenuous Woz (Josh Gad), a scrappy team of engineers does their best to make soldering motherboards look cool. After an angel investor shows up at their doorstep (Dermot Mulroney, as a forgettable Mike Markkula), Jobs strides through the West Coast Computer Faire to introduce the groundbreaking Apple II.
As his character ages, Kutcher's performance becomes more convincing than contrived. He certainly looks the part, nailing the Frankenstein gait, dexterous gestures, and California twang (Kutcher enlarges on his process here). Though he dons a jacket and tie, Jobs is never quite one of the suits—here, as in The Social Network, the stated enemy—at one point leveling an accusatory finger at Apple CEO John Sculley (Matthew Modine) and barking: "Hiring you was the worst mistake I ever made!"
When Jobs's spending spirals out of control, the suits have their revenge. Sculley, Markkula, and the company's board arrange an ouster that strips Jobs of his power. "I felt like I'd been punched, the air knocked out of me, and I couldn't breathe," Steve Jobs told Isaacson years later. By then, Woz has resigned, and Jobs is estranged from his girlfriend and their daughter together and is living in an unfurnished mansion, with only a poster of Albert Einstein watching over him.
Thus passes the first of two moments when someone on the board asks, "So what are we going to do?"
(Read the balance of the review here:)
Rob Fishman is a technology and media consultant in New York. Formerly the social media editor of the Huffington Post, he is a contributing editor at BuzzFeed, and has written for Slate, New York Magazine, Medium and other leading publications. A graduate of Cornell and Columbia's Graduate School of Journalism, he lives in New York.
Halloween Events in Sleepy Hollow Kick Off October 5
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Halloween season in Sleepy Hollow Country kicks off in force on Saturday, Oct. 5, opening night of the tri-state area's largest fall events. Continuing for 25 selected evenings through Nov. 11, The Great Jack O' Lantern Blaze® is the Hudson Valley's biggest all-ages Halloween extravaganza. A small team of artists comes together to carve more than 5,000 jacks, many fused together in elaborate constructions such as life-size dinosaurs and eight-foot-tall working jack-o'lanterns-in-the-box, all lit up throughout the wooded walkways, orchards, and gardens of historic Van Cortlandt Manor in Croton-on-Hudson, N.Y. Also making its debut at this year's Blaze is the Museum of Pumpkin Art, the first ever exhibition space devoted to sculptural works inspired by (but not made from) pumpkins.
Washington Irving's macabre tale The Legend of Sleepy Hollow inspires Horseman's Hollow, a 13-night interactive haunted attraction at Philipsburg Manor in Sleepy Hollow, N.Y., recommended for ages 10 and up. Stocked with professional actors and state-of-the-art special effects, Horseman's Hollow has a high fear factor.
Irving's 'Legend,' recommended for ages 10 and up, brings the master storyteller Jonathan Kruk into the historic, candlelit interior of Sleepy Hollow's circa-1685 Old Dutch Church, where for 13 evenings he offers a dramatic re-telling of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow accompanied by live organ music. The Legend Behind the 'Legend' is a new, daytime experience at Washington Irving's Sunnyside in Tarrytown, N.Y. that highlights the author of the famous story.
All events are held rain or shine. Proceeds support Historic Hudson Valley, the Tarrytown-based private, non-profit educational organization which owns and operates the historic sites that host these events.
Ticket and date information
For Blaze, Horseman's Hollow, and Irving's 'Legend,' admissions are by advance purchase timed ticket.
Blaze dates are Oct. 5-6, 11-14, 17-20, 24-31, Nov. 1-3, 8-11. The first reservation is 7 p.m. on Oct. 5-6 and 6:30 p.m. for the other dates. Tickets are $16 for adults ($20 on Saturdays), $12 for children 3-17 ($16 on Saturdays), and free for children under 3 and Historic Hudson Valley members.
Horseman's Hollow dates are Oct. 5-6, 11-13, 18-20, 25-27, Nov. 1-2, with the first reservation at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 ($25 on Saturdays). Historic Hudson Valley members receive a $5 per ticket discount.
Irving's 'Legend' dates are Oct. 5-6, 11-13, 18-20, 25-27, Nov. 1-2. Seating is very limited, and there are three performances each evening on the hour, beginning at 5pm (6:15pm Fridays). Tickets are $16 for adults, $12 for children under 18. Historic Hudson Valley members receive a $5 per ticket discount.
Legend Behind the 'Legend' takes place Wednesdays-Sundays in October, plus Columbus Day Monday, with the first tour at 10:30am. Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors, $6 for children 3-17, and free for those under 3 and Historic Hudson Valley members.
Buy tickets online at www.hudsonvalley.org or by calling 914-366-6900 ($2 per ticket surcharge for phone orders).
Details: The Great Jack O' Lantern Blaze
The Great Jack O' Lantern Blaze, which drew more than 80,000 visitors last year, features more than 5,000 illuminated, individually hand-carved jack o' lanterns. Elaborate single-pumpkin carvings and huge multi-jack o'lantern constructions are professionally lit throughout the landscape of Van Cortlandt Manor in various themed areas.
Favorites such as the Undersea Aquarium and walk-through Tunnel O' Pumpkin Love are joined this year by new installations including Venus Pumpkin Traps, an enormous sea serpent, a brontosaurus, and a pterodactyl. The brand new Museum of Pumpkin Art is the first ever exhibition space devoted to sculptural works inspired by (but not made from) pumpkins. The Museum of Pumpkin Art is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.
Also new this year is Blaze: The Soundtrack Volume II. Building on the success of last year's soundtrack, Historic Hudson Valley teamed up with professional musician, radio personality, and Halloween fanatic Richard Christy to create a second volume of all-original music, selections of which will play throughout the event. The soundtrack is available as a CD at the event and also a digital download from iTunes and Google Play.
Creative Director Michael Natiello leads a small team of Historic Hudson Valley staff and local artists who carve. In addition, more than 1,000 volunteers help scoop and light the pumpkins. Blaze artists will be carving on site during the event. The Great Jack O' Lantern Blaze Shop offers a full bounty of Blaze-specific merchandise including hats, notepads, games, T-shirts, magnets, caps, mugs, and jewelry. Café Blazé, by Geordane's of Irvington, will offer culinary treats including soup, veggie chili, muffins, pumpkin cookies, and cider.
Van Cortlandt Manor is at 525 South Riverside Avenue, just off Route 9 in Croton-on-Hudson.
Details: Horseman's Hollow
Horseman's Hollow, a haunted experience in the heart of Sleepy Hollow, takes the tale of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow to its darkest extremes. Historic Philipsburg Manor transforms into a terrifying landscape ruled by the undead, the evil, and the insane, all serving the Headless Horseman himself.
Haunted house professional Lance Hallowell leads a crew of award-winning makeup and costume designers and a 40-member-strong cast of experienced actors to create an immersive, interactive, pleasantly terrifying experience, with state-of-the-spooky-art special effects.
Custom built set pieces and period-correct costumes help orient the experience in Philipsburg Manor's traditional time period of the mid-1700s. Lighting is by Emmy award-winning designer Deke Hazirjian of New York City Lites.
Philipsburg Manor is at 381 North Broadway (Route 9) in Sleepy Hollow.
Details: Irving's 'Legend'
Master storyteller Jonathan Kruk offers a dramatic re-telling of Washington Irving's classic tale, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, featuring the Headless Horseman, Ichabod Crane, Brom Bones, and Katrina Van Tassel. Flavored with live spooky organ music by Jim Keyes, Kruk's storytelling takes place in the historic, candlelit setting of the Old Dutch Church in Sleepy Hollow. The circa-1685 stone church is across the street from Philipsburg Manor, where visitors will park. Performances last about 45 minutes.
Details: Legend Behind the 'Legend'
During October, Sunnyside celebrates its connection to Washington Irving's classic tale, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Tours of Irving's home – a colorful blend of architectural styles – will showcase numerous objects related to Irving's famous story. Visitors on Saturdays and Sundays can enjoy a shadow puppet performance of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and experience one of Irving's spooky tales on a walk through the woods. Sunnyside is on West Sunnyside Lane, off Route 9 in Tarrytown.
10 Things You Might Forget to Bring to College
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- Written by Steven Friedman
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With only about a month left until college move-in day for many incoming freshmen, the time has come to start getting serious about what we do and don't need during the upcoming year. Many schools send out suggested packing lists, and there are an abundance of them online. Listed below are a few useful items that they may leave out.
1. Speakers
Depending on how much you love listening to music, whether in your room or in public with others, there might be some occasions where the built-in speakers in your phone or laptop just won't cut it. You don't have to buy a very expensive, top of the line set of speakers, but consider a small iHome (which also functions as an alarm clock) for your room.
2. Seat cushions
Your dorm room will contain a desk, and a desk chair. Wooden chairs can be pretty unforgiving, so consider bringing a cushion or even buying a comfortable alternative like an office chair with wheels. Even though you'll likely spend a lot of your work time in the library, don't neglect your room.
3. Tide to Go
When you've stained something and laundry day is nowhere in sight or you want to wear it again, just use Tide to Go. It's an instant stain remover that's sort of like a small marker. Just don't wear something in sunlight right after you use it.
4. Notebooks from high school
There's no need to bring every notebook or study guide from your four years of preparation for college, but if you're placing out of any classes, it couldn't hurt to have that safety net. Professors expect you to be a little rusty at Spanish or Calc, but it can't hurt to look over your old notes or tests (assuming you resisted the temptation to throw out, shred, rip up, or have a bon fire with everything from high school).
5. Fan and space heater
You won't know until you arrive at school whether your dorm room will be too hot or too cold. For the first few months you may need a fan to stay cool and after that you may want a space heater to keep warm. So consider bringing both.
6. Underbed storage units
This may seem like an obvious one to some, as it's pretty hard to fit everything you're bringing into the school-provided furniture within your room. Girls will typically try to fit more into the same space. Even if you initially manage to squeeze in your stuff using space-saving storage systems if you don't have accessible areas to keep your things, your room will quickly end up a mess.
7. Agenda
You may have gotten by in high school without using the school-provided planner as keeping track of assignments wasn't too hard. And you might be able to use the same system day-to-day for classes in college. However, there will be more long-term assignments, and you'll have to keep track of your class schedule and exam dates and remember personal events and appointments. In short, no one will keep track of your schedule but you, so an agenda will help to keep things straight.
8. External hard drive
This is probably a smart idea in general, but it's especially useful in college. Losing everything you've worked on because your computer crashed or your laptop was stolen would be devastating, so back up your computer every once in a while. Also, an external hard drive is an easy way to share large amounts of music, as opposed to several CDs or multiple trips with a flash drive.
9. Starter decorations
It's a given that you'll have some form of decoration in your room, but have some at the beginning of the year. Make your room your own by bringing personal items that reflect your interests and who you are.
10. Mementos and photos
Everyone is excited to go to college, some more so to leave home than to actually arrive there. But whether you've loved your time here or hated it, whether you're sick to death of this town or loving every minute, you'll soon be missing it. Even if you want to remove yourself from the community as a whole, you'll realize that you'll miss your friends, your family, and home cooked meals. Bring photos to remember the good times you have had in Scarsdale.
Contributor Steven Friedman is a graduate of Scarsdale High School and will be attending Washington University in St. Louis as a freshman this fall.
