The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

Byram Hills High School

Byram Hills Ranked No. 1 Public High School in Westchester

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Christopher Walsh, Principal, and Dr. Jen Lamia, Superintendent   PHOTO BY Elise Trainor

Receiving well-deserved recognition, Byram Hills High School was ranked as the number one public high school in Westchester County in Westchester Magazine’s March 2024 issue. The Inside Press asked me to explore the “why” behind the ranking. It is particularly noteworthy as Westchester is home to some of the best high schools in the country. Factors considered included college readiness, average class size, student-to-teacher ratio, SAT scores, the number of counselors, the number of AP courses, and more.

“It’s very exciting when the district is recognized for our strong academic and extracurricular programs. An acknowledgement from Westchester Magazine as the #1 high school in Westchester is a credit to a strong school community that places students at the center of what we do,” says Superintendent Dr. Jen Lamia.

Innovative Programs

“I marvel at how the faculty, staff, and administration continue to develop opportunities for students to find their individual passions and excel,” says Lamia.

The opportunities are endless. Students interested in robotics and coding can immerse themselves in the robotics course and participate in competitions. Extensive offerings abound in the Fine Arts department, including metalsmithing, jewelry making, ceramics, and photography. Available to seniors who qualify is “Perspectives in Literature,” an integrated study that includes literature, philosophy, art, and an intensive writing experience.

One of the most recognized programs at Byram Hills is the award-winning Authentic Science Research program, a three-year program in which students complete independent research under the mentorship of professional scientists. Students submit their research to the Regeneron Science Talent Search (“STS”). Byram Hills touts 132 “Top 300 scholars” and 23 national finalists in the Regeneron STS since 1991.

Two other thriving programs that are distinct to our district are the Global Scholars Program and the StartUp Entrepreneurship Program. Both began as pilot programs sponsored by the Byram Hills Education Foundation (the “BHEF”) and have been very well-received.

According to the Byram Hills website, Global Scholars is an “interdisciplinary three-year program…[in which] students investigate global issues, analyze diverse perspectives, communicate ideas effectively in both English and a second language, and take action.”

The StartUp program, which began in 2022, most recently had 35 members of the community acting as mentors to the students in their start-ups. The two-year program allows students to create and launch their own business or social enterprise. Guest speakers are invited to talk to the kids about starting a business. This past year, they held an exciting evening competition à la “Shark Tank” with parents and business owners in the community acting as judges.

“Byram Hills’ number one ranking is a testament to the unwavering dedication of our teachers, faculty, and the entire community,” says BHEF board member Ally Wolland. “The BHEF plays a critical role in this success story. By funding faculty and teacher-written grants across the district, the BHEF addresses specific needs at each grade level and school. Impactful programs like the Global Scholars program and the StartUP program exemplify the BHEF’s influence.”

“For me, as a parent and BHEF board member, what most exemplifies the essential partnership between the BHEF and the district was the BHEF’s facilitation of an emergency meeting during the pandemic to secure funding to purchase Viewsonic technology to aid in reopening and remote learning,” explains Wolland. “A vibrant and supportive education foundation like the BHEF is a rare gem in public schools. I am incredibly grateful for the profound impact the BHEF has on our school district…”

An Engaged Community and Happy Families

“This ranking was an acknowledgment of the strength of our entire district. We have such a wonderful community, and it starts from the great support we get from the Board of Education and District Administrators. We have families who are incredibly supportive of the work we are doing and appreciate the collective efforts that go into educating their children,” says Byram Hills High School Principal Chris Walsh.

“We have students who have been given a great foundation in learning going all the way back to their first day in kindergarten through every grade level and school in the district. I am most happy for our faculty and staff here at the high school that they can take pride in this and know that their professionalism, care, and expertise are recognized on a regional level. Overall, the ranking helps to reinforce that Byram Hills High School is a special place where students benefit from the highest quality educators, supportive district, and collaborative community.”

For area realtors, who promote the positive aspects of living here all the time, the good news about Byram Hills was not surprising. “As an alum of Byram Hills and lifelong resident of Armonk, I am thrilled that our high school has been named #1 in Westchester County,” says Stacey Sporn, Armonk parent and Associate Broker at William Raveis. “This recognition highlights the dedication of our teachers, the enthusiasm of our students, and the unwavering support of our community. Growing up here, I experienced firsthand the exceptional education and the strong sense of community that defines our town. It’s no surprise that more families are choosing to move here, drawn by our top-notch schools and the welcoming, vibrant atmosphere that makes this area a wonderful place to live and raise a family,”

“I think the district’s recognition of talent is what contributes to Byram Hill’s excellence,” says Harriet Libov, Armonk parent and Associate Broker at Houlihan Lawrence. “The district always looks to the best in faculty to promote from within. For example, Superintendent Lamia was my daughter’s middle school teacher back in the day. Similarly, many of the administrators and principals were promoted after proven success in our district. I feel fortunate that both my kids, each with very different interests, soared academically and socially as a result of what Byram Hills had to offer. Moreover, as adults today, they remain friends with their Byram Hills classmates.”

“Byram Hills High School created an environment in which both of my daughters were able to grow and thrive intellectually and socially,” says Stacee Massoni Blatte, Armonk parent and Associate Broker at Julia B. Fee Sotheby’s. “They had the opportunity to take classes that both challenged and interested them. The immense support they received from their teachers enabled them to excel and equipped them with the resources necessary to continue to flourish throughout their college experiences at the University of Pennsylvania.”

Always Moving Forward

Whether advancing the curriculum or the social and emotional well-being of the students, Byram Hills is always thinking how best to serve its students. A recent district-wide vote approved the use of eight million dollars of the capital reserve fund for the “Lights, Learning, Action!” renovation project at the high school to create The Learning Commons, a reconstruction of the library; install a turf field; and add lighting on all fields and courts.

“Our school community is best exemplified by a senior who told me recently that the thought of leaving Byram Hills and graduating makes her cry – that’s the heart of it all – and I think it’s the school community that does it. We are continually on the flywheel of moving forward for kids,” says Lamia.

The Record-Breaking Strides of Team GAGA

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2022 Co-Presidents Emily Stangel (left) and Ashley Stangel (right) at the Westchester Walk to End Alzheimer’s

In 2024 alone, an estimated 6.9 million Americans live with Alzheimer’s. Meaning millions of families are being affected, and millions of precious memories are being lost. Battling such a horrible disease, takes not only a village, but a strong team to come together and work towards a cure.

Unfortunately, I have experienced this illness firsthand. Eight years ago, my grandfather, a prominent reproductive specialist, began to show symptoms. He was curious, and always looking for new hobbies and topics to explore. Then it progressed. He confused names, locations and as an eight-year-old, I knew something did not feel right.

When I was told he had Alzheimer’s, I was shocked. This was my Papa. The man who dedicated his career to bringing life into the world. He was indestructible, so why was his memory fading.

Through a great deal of research, my family discovered that the best thing to do when dealing with a family member with Alzheimer’s was to surround yourself with support – people who understand the disease. This is when my sister Emily, a rising sophomore at Northeastern University, got involved in the Byram Hills High School’s Growth and Awareness group for Alzheimer’s.

Max Levy, Byram Hills class of 2014, founded the Growth and Awareness Group for Alzheimer’s in 2011, more commonly known as GAGA, to introduce Byram Hills high school students to raising funds and to create awareness for the disease. Affiliated with the National Alzheimer’s Association, the club takes part in county and country-wide events.

Being a part of this club in 2021 and 2022 with my sister was extremely therapeutic and fulfilling. We were doing real work to drive the world closer to a cure. We participated in fundraisers, helped patients, and were supported by peers. As my sister’s presidency came to an end in 2023, our grandfather took a turn for the worse. After eight painful years fighting the disease, we lost Dr. John Stangel on April 24, 2023. It was surreal. He was always there for milestones – school events, birthdays, holidays – anything we saw as important, he was first in line, until he wasn’t.

Going back to the club seemed impossible for me. Being surrounded by patients who resembled my grandfather and exposed to something that had haunted our lives for eight years was tough. I felt I could not handle the task as president.

The summer before the 2023-2024 school year, the GAGA club Advisor, Ally Dellacioppa, sent me an email with condolences, and a positive message for the upcoming year. She spoke about the amazing things we were going to accomplish and the many people we could help. This burst of motivation showed me that I could not walk away and hide in my sadness. I was inspired to help others so hopefully fewer people would lose loved ones to this dreadful disease.

2023 GAGA Team Captains at The Westchester Walk to End Alzheimer’s. (L-R): Vice President Spencer Wilk, Co-President Inaara Lalani, Co-President Ashley Stangel, and Vice President Charlie Zimmerman

I began that year with a mission: my co-president, Inaara Lalani, and our vice presidents, Charlie Zimmerman and Spencer Wilk, would make history. Though the club has always been one of Byram Hills’ most successful charity-driven extracurriculars, the 2023-2024 school year was one for the books. The club had excelled in fundraising, community engagement, and had even gained official recognition.

Though GAGA has several events a year, The National Alzheimer’s Association’s,
Westchester Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the crown jewel. The GAGA club and its 80-plus members organized several bake sales in town as well as in school and accepted donations before the walk, which would take place on October 1st, 2023.

Every Alzheimer’s Association-affiliated team must fundraise before the walk. These teams can be anything from school-run clubs to families and even corporate offices. Our GAGA team did an amazing job fundraising and broke a record by raising $32,082. We also had our own tent at the walk, and individual members like Inaara and I were honored at a donor’s dinner for achieving Elite Grand Champion Status for raising over $2,500 each.

Later in January, it was announced by the Alzheimer’s Association that the Byram Hills GAGA team was the #1 highest fundraising team in all of the Hudson Valley. Coming in higher than businesses and banks. Our team was honored at the Grand Champion Dinner with major community donors for their work. Inaara and I went from being volunteers/vice presidents to leaders and instituting real change as captains – a big moment!

Esther McCarthy, the Westchester Walk Director, has always been such a valuable supporter of our team and was immensely grateful for our contribution this year.
I was extremely lucky to work very closely with Esther this year to find new ways to raise money and awareness for the walk and other opportunities. Esther noted, “Over the past two years, I’ve had the pleasure of working with Ashley as part of the GAGA team. During this time, she has gone from a dedicated team member to the Co-captain. Her creativity and energy have been invaluable.”

Though we achieved all of this by January, we felt there was more to be done. I remembered a common question we were asked, “Are you guys a GAGA team?”, referring to the elementary school sport of “GAGA.” This inspired us to come up with a new and exciting community-wide event: a GAGA Tournament. GAGA is a sport played with a dodgeball in an octagon court which is very popular with younger children.

To get this event done efficiently, we split up duties to create the most entertaining event possible! Inaara and I took on tasks such as reaching out to vendors and organizing sport supplies while Vice Presidents Charlie Zimmerman and Spencer Wilk secured the court.

We collaborated with Wampus Elementary School, which provided tables, chairs, GAGA courts, and outdoor space for the event. The Byram Hills Athletics Department also got involved by helping to secure a date and providing the necessary equipment. Mr. Saunders, the Assistant Director of Health, Physical Education, and Athletics, and Mrs. Palmer, the assistant principal of Wampus Elementary, were instrumental in the creation of the event. I am so grateful for their unconditional kindness and interest in the event.

This was a very special experience for me because Mrs. Palmer was my Kindergarten teacher. Our relationship went from that of learning colors and letters to discussing insurance and professional event planning. Mrs. Palmer commented, “I met Ashley Stangel as a bright and powerful kindergarten student twelve years ago. She was hardworking and strong-willed. Ashley was destined to accomplish what was in her head and her heart.”

I was so lucky to get to work with Mrs. Palmer again in a new role and my respect for her never ends. Mrs. Palmer said, “Fast forward a decade later, Ashley is putting into practice the good work – she is led to lead. The event was a success that brought meaningful fun for all.”

The Inaugural GAGA Tournament took place on May 4, 2024, from 1 p.m.-4 p.m. and had over 100 guests throughout the day. The students played several rounds of GAGA, and trophies were awarded to the participants. The day also included lawn games, face painting, done by freshman member Adley Aronsky, a snack bar, an ice cream truck and more. The community was very pleased by this event, and it was a hugely successful fundraiser. There was also a raffle in which donors could win a variety of summer prizes. Due to its incredible success and public demand, the GAGA Tournament will return next May.

For me, the GAGA Tournament had always been something I wanted to create, and I know that all the hard work would not only help thousands of families but would make my grandfather proud. We had a full-circle moment when founder Max Levy and his mother, Cindy Shmerler, attended the event. Both were able to see the evolution of the club and the good it brings to the community. It was even recognized by Westchester News 12. The segment featured footage of children having fun and a community coming together for the greater good.

Our club and its members did an incredible job with the event, and once again, the Alzheimer’s Association was pleased. In reference to the creation of the GAGA tournament, Esther McCarthy, the Westchester Walk Director, said “Ashley is not only incredibly reliable, but also resourceful and thoughtful in her approach. She has been instrumental in bringing in new ideas and has helped students from other high schools get involved. Her commitment to our mission is inspiring.”

Though GAGA has made some excellent strides, our hard work does not end here. As established leaders of the club, we have begun training new leaders, as they begin their high school journey, which gives all of us hope for the future.

As I reflect back on my journey with GAGA, I cannot help but feel extremely fortunate. I essentially had my own support group of loyal students trying to make a difference. We are and have always been a mosaic of experiences touched by the disease and a collection of memories that patients who are ill can no longer pass on.

Though I miss my grandfather, I know he would be incredibly proud of everything we have done. He would have loved the walks to end Alzheimer’s and would have been fascinated with the clowns and other entertainers that encourage the participants. He would have loved our GAGA tournament because it is an unusual/nontraditional sport. But overall, he would have loved our club not just for the silly name GAGA, but for our initiative and resilience, and for fighting what we believe in. GAGA is an astonishing organization that deserves to go down in history.

For all those interested in making a difference, the Westchester Walk to End Alzheimer’s will take place on Sunday, October 6th, at Westchester Community College, 75 Grasslands Road, Valhalla, New York. https://act.alz.org/

Byram Hills High School Gets a New Art Gallery

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A pair of shoes slung over a utility line in Paris. Ice skaters in New York’s Central Park. A glacier surrounded by mountains in Alaska. A lone black crow atop an Armonk supermarket. A single, beautiful orchid in the kitchen.

These scenes and others, photographed in locales near and very far away, made up “Captured Adventures: A Journey in Photographs,” the first exhibit in Byram Hills High School’s new student-run art gallery, Art Works.

The travel photography show, featuring 26 pieces, celebrated memories from meaningful places and the stories behind them. With classical music playing, students, families, teachers, and administrators surveyed the art and engaged in lively conversation at an opening reception on the evening of December 4.

“This wonderful event brought our community together in a very real and organic way,” said art teacher Michael Chuney, the adviser to the Art Works club. “It was really nice to see how supportive the artists were to each other, talking about their work, and watching everyone engage in conversations about the art and asking questions. Art truly brings people together.”

The gallery, located in a transformed, freshly painted area in the back of the high school library, was created as a dedicated space to display art created by Byram Hills students, teachers and staff members, giving an artistic outlet to the entire school.

“The gallery serves as a creative hub, fostering ideas and celebrating artistic expression,” Mr. Chuney said. “It provides a venue not only for students but also for people outside of art classes to showcase their artistic side. The gallery also opens up possibilities for those who may have never recognized their artistic voice.”

Through the club, students learn how to put together a thematic art show and run a gallery. For the first show, the students solicited travel photography, curated the artwork, helped prepare the gallery space for the inaugural show, and hung the photographs.

The photography exhibit will run for six to eight weeks, and two other school-wide exhibitions are planned for this year. The space may also be used for students who want to stage a solo show.

Byram Hills and King School Student Honors

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Five Byram Hills High School Seniors Are National Merit Semifinalists

L-R: Samara Brown, Aaron Lestz, Daniel Ndocaj, Alexander Woodworth and Yicheng Yang

Five Byram Hills High School seniors have been chosen as semifinalists in the 2024 National Merit Scholarship competition.

The students are Samara Brown, Aaron Lestz, Daniel Ndocaj, Alexander Woodworth and Yicheng Yang. They can compete for 7,140 scholarships worth nearly $28 million.

More than 1.3 million high school juniors entered the scholarship competition last year by taking the Preliminary SAT, which serves as an initial screening. The Byram Hills students are among more than 16,000 semifinalists, academically talented students who represent less than 1% of high school seniors nationwide.

School leaders congratulated the semifinalists and wished them luck in the scholarship contest.

“We are so proud of the achievements of our outstanding National Merit semifinalists,” Principal Christopher Walsh said. “It is terrific to see their hard work and dedication recognized.”

Guidance Chairperson Kristina Wilson added: “Their achievement is not just a reflection of individual excellence but also a reflection of the outstanding education they have received from our dedicated teachers, staff, and the support of their families. We are immensely proud of these students and cannot wait to see the incredible contributions they will make to our community and the world beyond.”

To become a finalist, students must submit a detailed application that includes information about their academic record, participation in school and community activities, leadership abilities, work, honors and awards. They must be recommended by a high school official, write an essay and achieve SAT or ACT scores that confirm their PSAT performance. The finalists will be announced in February.

About 95% of semifinalists are expected to become finalists, and about half of the finalists will win a scholarship and the Merit Scholar title. Merit scholars are chosen for their skills, accomplishments and potential to succeed in a rigorous college program.

The winners will be announced in the spring and summer.

Three Byram Hills High School Student Musicians Earn Prestigious All-State Honors

L-R: Aaron Lestz, Valentina Marino, and
Morgan Hecht

Three seniors from Byram Hills High School have received prestigious All-State honors from the New York State School Music Association, selected from thousands of students who auditioned in the spring at music festivals throughout the state.

Trombonist Aaron Lestz was selected for the All-State Symphonic Band and will perform at the NYSSMA All-State Conference in Rochester, New York, this fall. Alto Morgan Hecht and Valentina Marino, a soprano, were selected as alternates for the All-State Mixed Chorus.

The All-State NYSSMA performances will be held on Dec. 3 at Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre of the University of Rochester.

Photo and Text of Above Stories courtesy of the Byram Hills Central School District

King School’s Jack Zipper Named National Merit Semifinalist

The National Merit Scholarship Program announced in September that Jack Zipper of Armonk was named a semifinalist for its 69th annual competition. According to the announcement, being named a semifinalist puts Zipper, a student at King School in Stamford, in a pool of less than 1% of high school seniors. Over 1.3 million juniors in about 21,000 high schools entered the 2024 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2022 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test as an initial screen of program entrants.

“I am so proud of Jack,” said Director of College Counseling Jessica Landis. “Based upon his outstanding academic and co-curricular achievements, he will be a strong contender for the finalist stage.” Next, Zipper must meet several requirements, including submitting a detailed application, writing an essay, maintaining an outstanding academic record, and contributing to the community.

The nonprofit said only 7,140 scholarships will be given next spring.

Photo and Text courtesy of King Street School

 

Students in Byram Hills Global Scholars Program Working to Combat Homelessness with Midnight Run

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As a former student at Byram Hills High School, I was in constant awe of my peers who worked hard in the school’s two three-year programs, Authentic Science Research and Global Scholars. Students can choose to begin these programs as sophomores, working to conduct research on the current state of the social or scientific world and choose a particular subject they would like to delve into.         

Throughout the subsequent two years, they work with professionals in those fields. The goal is to contribute to their topic’s research or activism and make a concrete contribution to the world.

The work of rising seniors Ashley Weissman and Zoe Marcus left me no less impressed, as I learned about their work to combat homelessness in New York City. Having worked with the organization myself as a student in New York City, I was incredibly excited to hear about their passion for their work and genuine desire to make a difference, which was evident in a press release they sent out describing their project.

Weissman and Marcus explained their current efforts as well as future plans to get the Armonk community involved. After choosing their subject, they began to research ways to most effectively help those in need.

“When researching about homelessness, something that caught our attention was how most people donate things they think the homeless people would need, rather than what they actually need and want,” they wrote.

Outreach to ‘Midnight Run’

To get a better sense of how to most effectively aid those in need, they reached out to Midnight Run, a volunteer organization which seeks to take a more human approach to aiding the unhoused by organizing in-person, late night drop-offs of necessary goods. According to their website, Midnight Run organizes “over 1,000 relief missions per year, in which volunteers from churches, synagogues, schools and other civic groups distribute food, clothing, blankets and personal care items to the homeless poor on the streets of New York City.”

Dale Williams, the executive director of the organization, was once homeless himself, and explained to Weissman and Marcus that simple toiletries were one of the necessary items which many people overlooked when donating to relief organizations.

To begin making a change in their local community, Weissman and Marcus organized “mini lessons” to teach students at H. C. Crittenden Middle School about homelessness and Midnight Run. Then, they helped to create packages full of toiletries and necessary items to distribute during a run with the organization.

“We got these toiletries with our funding from the Changemaker presentation where different funders come together to give out money to help,” they said. “We are hoping to participate on a Midnight Run, and are just waiting to get the date.”

Their goal for the future is to get more people in Armonk involved with Midnight Run and the fight against homelessness. In the past, the organization has seen a shortage of volunteers to have been willing to participate in late-night runs to distribute goods, but Weissman and Marcus are hoping to increase those numbers by raising awareness with their project.

Over the remainder of their time in the program, Weissman and Marcus will work to “investigate global issues, analyze diverse perspectives, communicate ideas effectively in both English and a second language, and take action,” according to the program’s website.

Those looking to help them make a difference can find volunteer information at Midnight Run, where they describe the step-by-step process of organizing and executing a successful run. This begins with collecting and sorting clothes, assembling a crew of volunteers, reserving vehicles, which may include vans owned by the organization and loaned to volunteers by request, buying durable items such as toiletries, socks, and underwear, and more. The organization also lists information for their Saturday and Sunday morning breakfast runs. Visit MidnightRun.org to learn more.