This issue of HCSD Highlights includes student accomplishments from across the district in academics, athletics, and the arts. The work demonstrates deep engagement and intellectual rigor and reflects our mission to help students become the best versions of themselves.
Among the accomplishments included in this issue:
Noelie Boquet Couderc and Emily Salemo were named Regeneron Science Talent Search Scholars, placing them among the nation’s top high school science students.
Members of the HHS DECA Business Club advanced from regional competition, with 17 students qualifying for the New York State level.
HHS and LMK students received Italian Heritage Awards in recognition of their achievements in Italian studies.
The Adaptive Theater program brought together students from the FASE and PACE programs with neurotypical peers to perform The Empty Pot.
The LMK Middle School Drama Club’s production of James and the Giant Peach Jr. reflected sustained preparation and collaboration across grade levels.
The HHS Playhouse earned top honors at the NY Thespian One-Act Competition.
The district’s long-standing commitment to building a coherent, vertically aligned instructional program is evident in the recent authorization of all four elementary schools as International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme schools, completing Harrison’s designation as a K–12 IB district.
The Board of Education and I were delighted to recognize the Varsity Boys Soccer team,Section 1 Champions, at our most recent meeting. The team consistently exhibited a deep connection to one another, discipline, and an unwillingness to never give anything but their best.
The accomplishments in this issue reflect students undertaking demanding work and committing fully to it, supported by a school community focused on creating the conditions for students to aspire and thrive.
Sincerely, Louis N. Wool, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Elementary Schools Receive IB Authorization for Primary Years Programme
The District has received formal notification that all four of our elementary schools have been authorized as IB Primary Years Programme schools, a milestone achieved by very few districts and one that reflects the exceptional leadership and dedication of our learning community. Dr. Wool, BOE President Kelly Kozak, and members of the HCSD PT Council joined Elementary School Principals at a signing ceremony confirming the authorization of Harrison Avenue, Parsons, Preston, and Purchase Elementary Schools as IB Primary Years Programme schools.
Dr. Wool praised the work and dedication of the Harrison learning community, for their "diligence, relentless attention to detail, and unwavering commitment to the children of this community," as well as a "clarity of purpose and refusal to accept anything less than excellence.”
The IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) is student-centered and encourages children to ask questions, explore ideas, and make connections across different subjects through inquiry-based learning. Students develop a deeper understanding of concepts and how the world works, helping them become confident, curious learners who take an active role in their education. Members of the faculty and leadership team have aligned the elementary curriculum with PYP standards, and students already are experiencing the PYP lessons in elementary classrooms throughout the district. Receiving authorization for the IB Primary Years Program makes Harrison a K-12 International Baccalaureate district. Dr. Wool believes this final step in the District’s IB journey “affirms our district’s core belief that every child deserves an enriching, empowering educational experience that honors identity, nurtures curiosity, creates capable learners, and, most importantly, compassionate human beings.”
HHS Science Research Students Named Regeneron Scholars
Emily Salemo and Noelie Boquet Couderc were named Regeneron Science Talent Search Scholars 2026, by the nation’s oldest and most prestigious science and math competition for high school seniors. They are among the top 300 Scholars chosen from over 2,600 students this year from 826 high schools across 46 states, Washington, D.C., Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and 16 countries. Scholars are selected based on their outstanding research, leadership skills, community involvement, commitment to academics, creativity in asking scientific questions and exceptional promise as STEM leaders demonstrated through the submission of their original, independent research projects, essays and recommendations. Each scholar and their high school will receive a $2,000 award. Noelie and Emily have participated in the Science Research Program since tenth grade. Noelie’s research focused on space exploration and Emily conducted research on juvenile arthritis. Both students worked with mentors who are professionals in the fields of study related to their research. Noelie worked with two mentors, one from NASA and another from the Mason Lab at Weill Cornell Medicine, the lab where she conducted her research. Emily was mentored by a scientist at the Bloomington Drosophila Stock Center at Indiana University. Learn more about our scholars and their research.
Superintendent, BOE Celebrate Championship Boys Soccer Team
The Harrison High School Varsity Boys Soccer Team was recognized for their outstanding season by the Board of Education at its January 7, 2026 meeting. The team captured the League Championship, the Section 1 Class AA Championship, and the Class AA Regional Championship. Dr. Wool praised the coaches and players, stating, “I was most impressed by how you came together as a team and the connection you share with one another.” Athletic Director Chris Galano thanked the Board of Education and the district’s leadership team for their continued support throughout the season. He also expressed appreciation to the parents for their unwavering encouragement of every player. Mr. Galano highlighted the team’s dedication, integrity, and character both on and off the field, and recognized Coach Galeano and his staff as “great leaders of young men,” thanking them for their commitment to Harrison’s student-athletes.
HHS DECA Business Club Excels at Regional Tournament
The Harrison High School DECA Business Club performed at a high level at the Regional DECA competition. The competitive environment has intensified as the number of students and schools continue to increase compared to prior years. More than 600 students at over twenty schools from Westchester, Rockland, Orange, and Sullivan counties competed at the conference held at Rockland Community College in January. The event included a multiple-choice test, taken prior to the conference, to demonstrate students’ business knowledge in marketing, finance, entrepreneurship, and business administration. At the competition students participated in a series of role plays to demonstrate communications skills, problem-solving techniques, and ability to apply the business curriculum to various case studies and business situations. Harrison students’ presentations and responses were impressive, innovative and thought-provoking. This year, an unprecedented 100 Harrison students will compete at the New York State competition. Seventeen students qualified to advance at the regional tournament and an additional 83 Harrison DECA members, who have written 10-20 page manuals/papers, will present their work at the state competition.
Congratulations to the students who competed at the regional competition and qualified for the state competition:
Liam Azar, Quick Service Restaurant Management-1st place
Evan Schwartz, Retail Merchandising-1st place
Jonathan L. Lewis, Hotel & Lodging Management-1st place
Hana El Khouury, Apparel & Accessories Marketing-1st place
Jessie Kritzman, Travel & Tourism Team Decision Making- 1st place
Sydney Friedman, Travel & Tourism Team Decision Making-1st place
Addison Valente, Restaurant & Food Service Management-1st place
Jordan Levine, Principles of Hospitality & Tourism-3rd place
Marisa Lusardi, Human Resource Management-3rd place
Arthur Getaz, Marketing Management Team Decision Making-3rd place
Sergio Riudavets Parra, Marketing Management Team Decision Making-3rd place
Nolan Simmons, Auto Services Marketing-3rd place
Eva Papescu, Marketing Communications-3rd place
Arata Yamazaki, Accounting Applications-3rd place
Jackson Blaine, Principles of Marketing-4th place
Sophie Wong, Personal Financial Literacy-6th place
John Celeta, Business Finance Series-7th place
HHS & LMK Students Win Italian Heritage Awards
Congratulations to the students from Harrison High School and Louis M. Klein Middle School who received Italian Heritage Awards and were recognized for achievement, performance, and interest in Italian studies. Dominique Ventriglio (senior), Seraphina Blackman (sophomore), Elliana Citro (8th grade), and Vito Luongo (8th grade) were recognized and celebrated at a ceremony in the fall. Brianna DeVito received a scholarship presented by the Ace Endico foodservice company, which awarded scholarships to 12 students from across Westchester County.
Adaptive Theater Students Perform a Folktale about Honesty and Integrity
Students in the Adaptive Theater program staged The Empty Pot, a traditional East Asian folktale about a king and queen who give aways seeds and promises to reward whomever grows the best flower. We ultimately learn that what matters most is honesty and integrity, not beautiful flowers. The production brought together students from the FASE and PACE programs who participate in Adaptive Theater class, along with neurotypical peers who joined the cast, creating a truly inclusive collaboration. Students also created a video about preparing for The Empty Pot performance, watch the video. The process and production prioritized including student voice and agency; decisions were made collaboratively, and themes were selected by the student actors. Every choice was executed with purpose and consideration of how all students involved could access information and share their voices. After reviewing and discussing the story, students decided to make one change to the narrative: in the HHS adaptation, the King and Queen give away gold as the reward. The original score for the show was student written, and the pit band was completely made up of HHS student musicians. The performance of The Empty Pot was a transformative experience for everyone involved.
Students Share Reflections About Their Experience
HHS Students Earn Top Awards at Theater Competition
Members of the Harrison High School Playhouse took the stage and top honors at the NY Thespian One-Act Competition. Held in Brooklyn, the event featured performances of both student-written and established one-act plays from ten schools from across the NYC and Lower Hudson Valley. HHS students performed two original works: "Unrequited" by Luke Castellano and "Outstanding for the Job" by Shane Larkin. "Unrequited" was named Best Student-Written Play and earned recognition for Best Dramatic Moment between actors Ulrich Novak and Joe Montes. Ulrich also was recognized as Best Actor for the overall festival, and Shane Larkin earned a Student Leadership Award. Congratulations to all of our HHS students who participated: Luke Castellano, Ulrich Novak, Joe Montes, Elvis Njuguna, Caridee Bratton, Audrey LaPeter, Alexis Manalis, Shane Larkin, Kyle McKiernan, Evan Gessner, Neeve Kenny, Kai Hickey.
LMK Musical Draws Capacity Crowds
The LMK Middle School Drama Club’s production of James and the Giant Peach Jr. was a resounding success, drawing capacity crowds and showcasing the remarkable talent and spirit of LMK students. The musical highlighted not only strong performances onstage, but also an impressive level of teamwork behind the scenes. More than 80 LMK students participated in the production, with 55 students in the cast and 30 students serving on the crew. Together, they brought Roald Dahl’s beloved story to life with energy and creativity. From lively musical numbers to imaginative staging, the production reflected months of dedication and teamwork. The show also received valuable support from Harrison High School students, who played key roles throughout the rehearsal process and at performances as production assistants, choreographers, and tech mentors, as well as stage management, lighting, sound and stage design. HHS and LMK alumna, Lucy Neureuther, led the lobby display crew, working with LMK students to design and create the decorations that welcomed audiences into the theater. The production brought together students from all three LMK grades, representing a wide range of experiences, and fostering a supportive, inclusive environment. Beyond their achievements onstage, the cast and crew demonstrated kindness, encouragement, and teamwork behind the scenes. James and the Giant Peach Jr. reflected the best of both the LMK and HHS drama communities.
