Highlighting Three Non Sibi Day Sessions

Photo Credit: Stacey LiewOn Non Sibi Day, held during May 22, 2026, the Scarsdale High School community came together to honor the core concept of putting "not for oneself" into action. While dozens of unique workshops and service projects took place across the campus, several student-led initiatives highlighted just how creative and impactful the SHS community can be!

Here is a look at how three distinct student sessions made a distinct difference this year.

GEMS Club
Recognizing that women and female students remain significantly underrepresented in STEM/STEAM fields, the Girls Excelling in Maths and Science club (GEMS) dedicated their Non Sibi workshop session to spreading awareness, taking action, and narrowing this disparity.

Led by club vice presidents Kara Rodrigues and Maddy Nam, along with faculty advisor Ms. Konishi, the group spent the day assembling specialized chromatography lab kits complete with instructional guides. The inspiration for the project grew directly from collaborative club brainstorming sessions aimed at sparking an early interest in the sciences for young girls.

Sourcing their raw materials efficiently via Amazon, the team maintained smooth, well-executed coordination throughout the day. The finished kits were donated to the New York STEAM Girls Collaborative and Mercy University’s Center for STEM Education. From there, the kits will be distributed to underserved schools across New York, providing young girls with hands-on science experiences they might otherwise miss out on.

Sophomores Lawn Games and Rock Painting
The Sophomore Class Government brought energy and color to the SHS campus with a dual-purpose event centered around outdoor games and community rock painting.

Under the guidance of student leaders such as Class President Samuel Cascade and Vice President Tessa Berger, and with support from faculty advisors Mr. Bedoya and Ms. Rosenswaig, the sophomores aimed to embody the Non Sibi spirit by giving back directly to their peers. Students decorated rocks with vibrant designs, fun colors, and uplifting messages, intending to scatter them around the campus to make their school community a brighter and more welcoming place for everyone.

The event was a collaborative effort from start to end. Materials were sourced internally by the sophomore government, while the SHS Physical Education department generously provided the outdoor lawn games. Berger noted that the high level of teamwork required to pull off the day served as excellent preparation for the student government as they look ahead to planning major future milestones, including upcoming class events and Prom.

Second Chance Foods Workshop
In another classroom of the campus, student leader Nate Kofman directed a community service workshop in partnership with Second Chance Foods, a Hudson Valley non-profit dedicated to food rescue and sustainability.

Kofman led the workshop, focused on the twin crises of food waste and food insecurity. Students learned how food rescue organizations aim to step in to redirect viable groceries away from landfills and towards families in need.

The workshop was highly productive. Across three sessions, student volunteers had successfully packaged 145 bags of pasta shells for distribution across the Hudson Valley area, spreading long-term awareness about local food advocacy.