The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

Cover Stories

Byram Hills Class of 2025 Prepares to Graduate

by

Principal Christopher Walsh and Superintendent Dr. Jen Lamia

As spring arrives and the school year at Byram Hills High School nears its end, it’s a great time to reflect on the accomplishments and challenges of the graduating class of 2025. I had the honor of speaking with Principal Mr. Walsh, who shared insights on this year’s seniors, their resilience, and their lasting impact on the school.

“The Class of 2025 was in seventh grade when the pandemic hit, and their eighth-grade year was hybrid,” Walsh explains. “By the time they entered high school, it had been over a year and a half since they experienced a normal school environment. Watching them grow over the past four years has been incredible,” Walsh continued. “They truly embraced the opportunity to learn in person again and demonstrated how resilient students can be when adapting to change.”

Beyond their academic journey, the Class of 2025 left a significant mark on student government. Walsh noted that while the student government includes all grade levels, this was the first year that every school-wide officer position was held by seniors, setting a strong example for underclassmen.
The class also excelled in extracurriculars, earning recognition in prestigious programs such as Regeneron, National Merit, and the music department’s trip to Disney World. Walsh describes the Class of 2025 as “kind” and possessing “a deep understanding of the interconnectedness of people, with a strong commitment to making their communities, country and world a better place.”

When asked if he had any advice for the graduates, Walsh emphasized the importance of civic engagement. “Voting is both a right and a voice,” he says. “Whether on a local, state, or national level, they need to ensure their voices are heard. An educated and knowledgeable electorate is key to shaping the world they want to live in.”

As the Class of 2025 prepares to graduate, Walsh also wanted to remind them that Byram Hills will always be their home. “We feel so connected to them. We know that they are a link in the chain that goes back to the very first class we had here in 1968, and they are now a part of the fabric of what it means to be a Byram Hills student. So, they will always have a home here, and I want to thank them for making us who we are.”

Regarding graduation details, Walsh shared that the ceremony will take place on Tuesday, June 24, at 5:00 PM on the school’s turf field. “Since the pandemic, we’ve held graduation on campus rather than at SUNY Purchase,” he notes. “The ceremony will include speeches from the valedictorian, salutatorian, superintendent, board of education president, and myself. We’ll also have a presentation of the class gifts by student government members.” The valedictorian and salutatorian will be announced at the graduation rehearsal on June 11.

As the Class of 2025 moves forward, they leave behind a legacy of perseverance, leadership and compassion–one that will continue to inspire students for years to come.

 

LifeWorx Celebrates 20 Years of Delivering Peace of Mind

by

20 years ago, Bal Agrawal faced a problem familiar to many Americans: finding a caregiver he could trust for his family member. What he discovered instead was a fragmented, impersonal industry filled with undertrained workers and overwhelmed families. Rather than settle, Agrawal decided to build something better. From his Chappaqua basement, he founded LifeWorx – a home care company committed to professionalism, dignity, and personalized service.

Decades later, LifeWorx has grown into a leading provider of home-based care, with offices across New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Florida. But Agrawal’s vision has remained steadfast: deliver exceptional care that allows clients to remain safely and happily in their homes while relieving the pressure placed on families navigating the challenges of aging.

“We’re not just providing services,” Agrawal says. “We’re providing peace of mind.” The goal of creating a peace of mind for his clients, one nurtured for two decades, emanates from a place of authentic caring, and also, Agrawal’s passion – features which are at the core of every service LifeWorx delivers. “I am a believer of human potential, and love what I do.”

At its core, LifeWorx operates differently from many of its competitors. It doesn’t follow a templated approach to care. Instead, the process begins with understanding the nuanced needs of each client – from their health status and mobility to their personality, living environment, and family dynamics.

Emphasis on Empathy & Communication

Caregivers are matched thoughtfully using a combination of proprietary software and hands-on coordination. All are thoroughly vetted, personality checked, interviewed and supported after placement.
But beyond credentials, Agrawal prioritizes empathy and communication. “You can teach someone how to assist with daily living,” he explains. “Teaching someone how to listen, connect, and care deeply is much harder.”

LifeWorx offers a wide range of services, from live-in elder care and companionship to support for chronic conditions and specialized Alzheimer’s and dementia care. It continues to provide household assistance, nannies and housekeepers – services that support multigenerational families and busy professionals alike.

Though Agrawal is not a physician, his years of experience place him at the intersection of caregiving, aging and preventive health. He has seen firsthand how common, preventable issues can drastically alter the lives of older adults.

“One of the most overlooked causes of hospitalization among seniors is dehydration,” he notes. “As we age, our sense of thirst decreases. Many people simply forget to drink enough water, and the result is often weakness, confusion or even a fall.”

Falls, he adds, are among the most devastating and costly incidents older adults face. “One in three Americans over 65 experiences a fall each year,” Agrawal says. “And often, that single fall leads to a cascade of life changes – surgery, rehab, even permanent loss of independence.” The U.S. spends roughly $80 billion annually on fall-related injuries.

Creating Meaningful Interactions

LifeWorx’ experienced caregivers mitigate these risks by observing clients closely and adjusting the home environment – removing hazards, recommending footwear and encouraging daily movement. The goal, Agrawal says, is not just to react to health issues but to anticipate and prevent them.

Beyond the physical, Agrawal focuses on the emotional and mental toll of aging. Loneliness, he explains, is one of the most insidious health risks older adults faces, especially for those living alone. It’s linked to depression, cognitive decline and even shorter lifespans.

“A caregiver isn’t just someone who prepares meals or reminds you to take medicine,” he says. “They’re often the only regular human contact someone has. And that companionship can be life changing.” LifeWorx caregivers provide functional support and meaningful interaction. Whether it’s a conversation over breakfast or a shared walk through the neighborhood, those small daily moments matter.

Now in its 20th year, LifeWorx remains privately held and mission driven. Its longevity in a highly competitive space is a testament to its reputation, client satisfaction and employee retention. Many of its caregivers have been with the company for years – a rarity in the home care field.

Agrawal is optimistic about the company’s future but clear-eyed about the industry’s challenges. “As a society, we’re living longer, but the question is: are we living better?” he says. “Aging is not just a medical issue – it’s emotional, social, and deeply personal. That’s where we come in.” He plans to continue growing LifeWorx in a thoughtful way, investing in caregiver and employees, family education and technological innovation that doesn’t replace the human touch – but enhances it.

“At the end of the day,” Agrawal says, “the work we do is about helping people feel safe, seen and supported. That’s what home should feel like, no matter your age.”

www.LifeWorx.com

 

What Can AI Really Do? – A Thought Provoking Conversation by David Pogue

by

“The best you’re going to get from ChatGPT is a  B+, really good is reserved for humans.” – DAVID POGUE

Six-time Emmy winner and bestselling author David Pogue attracted an engaged audience at the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center on March 15th. The five-time TED speaker broke down AI’s rapid evolution with humor and insight, making a complex topic accessible to all. Despite the complexity, the mostly adult and senior audience remained captivated, with only 40% having previously used AI.

What can AI really do? Well, Pogue opened up by discussing AI’s versatility. From scheduling haircuts, to making artwork resembling Picasso, to emulating a therapist, AI has made significant progress in imitating human emotions. Pogue explained the advancements are so impressive that AI services have had to add a line stating, “Hi I’m an AI system calling for …” to distinguish AI from true human interactions. ChatGPT recently introduced an audio feature, enabling live conversations and “FaceTime” calls with its camera and emotionally intelligent voice. Pogue demonstrated these advancements in a live demo for the audience.

Pogue then transitioned to AI’s limitations, like having hands with extra fingers in AI-generated photos. AI also sparks debates on free speech and ownership, as U.S. law has no AI regulations. Pogue explained that due to this, singers and Getty Images are suing over unauthorized use of songs and images, and courts are siding against AI. In education, AI tools like ChatGPT make tasks like essay writing feel less relevant, prompting schools to adapt with handwriting assignments or AI detection tools. Additionally, AI’s rising energy demands challenge tech companies’ green goals.

Ultimately AI’s main issue is misinformation. Pogue discussed how if ChatGPT does not know an answer to a question, the AI will make up one so convincing that humans can’t tell whether it’s real or fake. In fact, this happened when Google first introduced its AI overview search, which summarizes the top few links providing one clear answer. Pogue exemplified hilarious mistakes that have resulted from this. For instance, Google AI service told humans that Dr. Granger, a made-up doctor, concluded that humans should eat one small rock per day! Another issue is that ChatGPT retains and repeats its own falsehoods, embedding mistakes into its learning process.

Despite so many concerns, Pogue ended on a positive note, highlighting AI’s benefits. In just two years, AI has transformed medicine. It outperforms top doctors, diagnosing and predicting diseases (from healthy scans) with 92% and 80% accuracies, respectively. AI’s biggest breakthrough? Mapping 200 million protein structures in hours, an ability that took years and billions of dollars to achieve just 0.085% of proteins. As many diseases stem from misfolded proteins, this was a huge step forward towards developing new cures. Also, Pogue emphasized that AI only thrives through human collaboration. Self-driving cars, for example, struggled until human decision-making was integrated, highlighting AI dependency on humans.

Pogue closed by highlighting that every major invention has sparked societal panic–elevators were once feared for making organs rise and telephones were dubbed “instruments of the devil.” History shows that technological fears fade as innovations become everyday tools. Just as calculators didn’t erase math skills, AI won’t eliminate writing skills; it simply shifts the focus from manual effort to higher-level thinking.

David Pogue truly made his mark in Chappaqua, receiving an enthusiastic round of applause. One guest found his talk very insightful, “As a teenager, I thought I knew everything about AI and its uses, but I surprisingly learned a lot of new information,” said a junior at local high school, Horace Greeley. Another guest shared, “David made AI so simple that even I could explain it afterward without feeling overwhelmed.”

As he closed his presentation, Pogue left us with the mentally-taxing question, “Where will humanity stand with AI in 15 years?” We’re still in the early stages making it impossible to predict whether we’ll experience technological success or failure. The best we can do is stay informed.

Pam Gittleman’s Nursery Rhymes for Kinder Times

by

We’ve all grown up listening to classic nursery rhymes and if you’re a parent, grandparent or caregiver, chances are you have a rotation of them in your daily reading repertoire with the kids. But have you ever really listened to some of their not-so-pleasant themes? Chappaqua resident and veteran early childhood music educator Pam Gittleman has just released Nursery Rhymes for Kinder Times®, Volume 2, her second volume of updated rhymes perfect for the children in your life.

This new collection under the For Kinder Times® brand features nine updated nursery rhymes with storylines promoting kindness, empathy and gratitude. If you’re familiar with the classic rhymes, many of them have dark themes and acts of violence. Kinder Times® rhymes show acts of compassion and help kids (and parents) recognize different emotions and how to regulate them in a fun and whimsical way.

Part of the reason Gittleman wrote the books was to help preserve this genre for a new generation. “As an early childhood music educator, I loved reading/singing traditional nursery rhymes. I loved that they had an inherent musicality, supported imagination and language and were memorable. It concerned me that an important genre for supporting language development and musicality might fade away.”

Says Gittleman, “When I realized that young children and families were increasingly unfamiliar with so many rhymes because their parents and teachers found them too old-fashioned, dark, irrelevant and “cringey” to share with their kids, I set out to provide an alternative that everyone could feel great about sharing with the young children in their lives, hence the creation of Nursery Rhymes for Kinder Times.®” They are a fresh take on some not-so-friendly rhymes. Did you ever stop to think what actually happened to Humpty Dumpty when he fell off the wall? In this new version – his friends help him back up and give him a band aid!

Another fun aspect of the book is that it comes with an emoji chart to help preschoolers identify and label emotions that they or the characters in the story are feeling. Each rhyme also has guiding questions to encourage conversations about feelings and emotions while supporting language and literacy. “Nursery rhymes are a genre that can provide fun and memorable ways to support imagination, whimsy, musicality and language,” said Gittleman. “Why not leverage them to deliver messaging that is relevant, positive and agreeable/accessible to people of all backgrounds?”

Having already published two volumes is quite an accomplishment but hasn’t come without its challenges. “The biggest challenge I’ve faced is in convincing a traditional publisher to publish my rhymes. Since the concept of a collection of new rhymes did not fit the typical mold of a children’s picture book, it was a hard sell in today’s market. I ultimately decided to publish with a hybrid publisher (a form of self-publishing).” But it is not without its rewards. “One teacher told me that the use of the emoji chart helped one student admit he was sad and angry about a situation at home. She was able to get help for his family as a result of him learning to identify, label and share his feelings. Having an impact like that on even one child has been extremely rewarding.”

And Gittleman is definitely an advocate for reading with children of all ages. “Reading books with young children helps nurture strong, positive relationships, it helps children begin to link printed to spoken words which is a building block for language and literacy, it reinforces listening skills and allows children and caregivers to engage in a shared experience that is bonding, educational and fun.”

Nursery Rhymes for Kinder Times®, Volume 2 by Pam Gittleman, with art and design by Dan and Catherine Markowitz is published by Mascot Kids, an imprint of Amplify Publishing Group, a leading independent hybrid publisher. It is available online at Amazon and Barnes & Noble. For more information visit pamgittleman.com.

Theatre Comes Alive at Arc Stages in Pleasantville

by

The creative arts bring forth emotions, feelings, and experiences and helps both youth and adults tap into personal growth toward living a more purposeful life. Arc Stages, a multifaceted arts organization in Pleasantville, is playing an integral role in introducing the power of the theater as a pathway toward living a fully engaged, connecting people with their imagination, and broadening their perspectives.

“Out of all of the benefits of theatre, the most important is that it promotes compassion and empathy. Society needs right about now, with the chance to learn about theatre, create theatre, and see professional theatre,” said Adam David Cohen, founder, and artistic director. Three additional founders include Marlene Canapi, chief growth strategist and cultural officer; Stephanie Kovacs Cohen, education stage, artistic director; and Ann-Ngaire Martin, community stage, artistic director. “Our mission is to perform, teach, and create art for and with the community,” Cohen added.

Three Theatre Companies Under One Roof

The unique organization, located at 147 Wheeler Avenue, is comprised of three theatre companies under one roof – The Next Stage, a professional theatre company that will produce high quality contemporary theatre as well as new works, cabaret, workshops and staged readings under contract with Actors’ Equity Association; The Community Stage, a community theatre company for a wide spectrum of actors, singers, and technicians to work on shows, both on and off stage; and The Educational Stage, an educational theatre company for all ages (ten months through adult) to explore the world of theatre though a professional rehearsal process, master classes, outreach, performance workshops, and intensive ensemble work.

“These three theatres better serve the community and its artistic needs. The idea of our organization is it’s an ‘arc’ encompassing all of the three types of stages we produce – education, community, and professional equity,” said Canapi, adding, “The concept gives our audiences a well-rounded theatre experience.”

Additionally, Arc Stages offers private coaching in voice; on-site after-school programs in improv, acting, and musical theatre; and a Visions & Voices Playwriting Residency, a BOCES-accredited program supported by ArtsWestchester, that introduces students to the world of the stage and self-expression and promotes literacy and writing skills.

This summer, the organization is featuring a robust summer camp comprised of classes in Acting Technique, Choreography, Improv & Theater Games, Stage Combat, Songwriting, Costume Design, Dance, and more. “The skills learned in these classes will be incorporated into the rehearsal of shows that will be performed at the culmination of each respective section,” said Canapi. “Our goal is to ready our physical footprint to open our season of shows starting in September.”

The concept for the theatre came from Martin who belonged to the Chappaqua Drama Group (CDG). “She had the idea to join forces with Adam David Cohen. At that time, Adam ran a theatre education program called the Little Village Playhouse. CDG sold the Chappaqua property and the sale was the seed money that helped fund Phase 1 of Arc Stages,” explained Canapi. From there, it has become a valuable space in the heart of the village of Pleasantville. “Arc Stages is part of the growth of the village. We’re fortunate to engage a community of theatre fans who are art lovers and supporters.”

Pleasantville Community Support

The village of Pleasantville is important to Canapi. “Years ago, I was part of a group of community leaders who worked at a Master Plan to elevate the downtown business district. We wanted to develop the identity of the village as an arts destination, with the Jacob Burns Film Center and the Gordon Parks Foundation and now Arc Stages. We believe we are indeed an arts destination,” she said, appreciating the immense community support the nonprofit has received. “It’s really amazing how we developed a theatre community who is so supportive of our Phase 2 effort to build a 150-seat Proscenium Theatre for performances.

The new theatre allows us to choose content with a bigger cast from a bigger library of theatre works, including socially relevant theatre. According to Cohen the new space will offer exceptional opportunities for everyone involved. “Theatre creates community, offers representation to marginalized communities, and inspires audiences. With this new space we will not have any limitations on what we produce; therefore, we will reach more people from different walks of life,” he said. Currently, the nonprofit is in its last phase of its Capital Campaign with a fundraising goal of $500,000.

Through Arc Stages, Cohen hopes to provide an enriching experience, along with thought- provoking fun. “A way to lose yourself in art but with a greater appreciation of humanity,” said Cohen who is a theatre composer who has worked in the industry teaching, directing, and musical directing since 1997. “For me, theatre provides a form of collaborative expression you can’t find anywhere else. Whether taking a class, performing in a show, working backstage or being in the audience, theatre takes us on a collective journey and helps us embrace our similarities and our differences. The magic of telling an important story on a stage through the collaboration of writers, composers, actors, designers, and countless others, never gets old. It’s always exciting, and quite often profound.”