Anthony Chiarlitti
“A teacher who had an impact on my life was Dr. Brian Brown, Iona College. His class consisted of reading Supreme Court decisions and discussing them. Reading 100 pages of opinions written by great legal minds and then openly speaking about them was intimidating at first, but Dr. Brown was able to push me past that. He sparked my interest in law and was able to get me to understand how legal arguments work, which is something that I have used in my professional career many times. Even in my personal time I find myself reading about cases on bizarrely specific topics purely out of curiosity.”
Anthony Chiarlitti grew up and resides in Pleasantville, he is currently a Detective Sergeant with the New Castle Police Department.
Amanda Blechman
“My English teacher, Karen Luten, changed how I saw myself. In high school, I believed being ‘good at science and math’ automatically meant I wasn’t strong in English. She saw something different–she saw potential. She made me feel capable, encouraged me to explore literature and writing, and helped me find confidence in a skill I had doubted. That confidence has stayed with me ever since. Today, writing is a big part of my work, and I carry her influence with me every day. I’m deeply grateful for the way she saw me–and helped me see myself.”
Amanda Blechman lives in Armonk with her husband and two children. She enjoys spending time with her family, cooking at home, and seeing Broadway musicals.
Samantha Day
“My third grade teacher, Ms. Zito, impacted me in ways I did not fully appreciate at the time. Beyond academics, she offered kindness and stability during a difficult period in my childhood, particularly while my parents were going through a divorce. Even when I did not always have the words to express what I was feeling, she made me feel seen, supported, and understood. She taught me the value of resilience, confidence, and perseverance, always encouraging me to believe in myself. Looking back, I realize how much her guidance and compassion shaped the person I became.”
Samantha Day grew up in Chappaqua and recently moved back with her husband, Connor and their two young children, Griffin and Spencer.
Suzanne Chazin
“My 11th- and 12th-grade math teacher, David Marain, at Tenafly High School in Tenafly, NJ. I was a mediocre math student, but he was always patient and encouraging. What stayed with me most, though, had nothing to do with math. ‘You don’t have to be the best,” he used to say. ‘You just have to do your best.’ He taught me that growth comes through challenge and that failure is only ‘a dot on a graph, not the whole line.’ Years later, when I began writing novels, I knew the failure curve was steep. Mr. Marain’s words helped me push through setbacks and focus on my efforts rather than immediate results.”
Suzanne Chazin is a journalist, creative-writing instructor, and mystery author in Chappaqua.
