March 2026

Volume 4

Dear Harrison Families,

Across our schools, students continue to produce work that is ambitious and deeply accomplished. Beverly Kang and Andrew Gaffin have been named National Merit Finalists, placing them among the top students in the country, while others are earning recognition at the state and national levels in business, the arts, and academics. At Harrison Avenue Elementary School, students welcomed Olympic gold medalists—parents from our own community—who came to celebrate with their children’s classmates and share in their accomplishments.
 
Our recent production of Les Misérables at the high school was a demanding work, and it was compelling and profoundly moving. The performances and technical components were flawless. It reflected talent, discipline, and the collaboration that defines us.
 
I encourage you to explore the newsletter for a deeper look at these accomplishments and experiences. We look forward to seeing you throughout the spring at our concerts and athletic events. Do not miss the opportunity to revel in the joy and the extraordinary accomplishments of our students.
 
Sincerely,
Louis N. Wool, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
 
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Students Welcome Gold Medal Olympians

Students at Harrison Avenue Elementary School were excited to welcome Olympic Gold Medalists from the U.S. Men’s Hockey Team. The school was filled with chants of “USA! USA!” as students celebrated the team’s incredible achievement. Vincent Trocheck and JT Miller proudly displayed their gold medals and embraced the excitement of the moment, high-fiving students and thanking them for their enthusiastic support.

HHS Seniors Named National Merit Finalists

Seniors Beverly Kang and Andrew Gaffin were named 2026 National Merit Finalists. Selected among the top 1% of students nationally named National Merit Semifinalists, finalists have further demonstrated accomplishments, skills, and potential for success in rigorous college studies. Congratulations Beverly and Andrew.

Beverly is a member of the HHS orchestra, recently composed an original score for the Adaptive Theater production of The Empty Pot  and has earned multiple NYSSMA Majors Gold Awards. She is also a female Eagle Scout, taekwondo black belt, varsity golf team captain, Korean school teaching assistant, writing tutor, art club president, and independent planetary researcher. She has conducted independent projects at the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, presented at multiple science fairs, and collaborated with professors at Yale and UMass Amherst.

The National Speech and Debate Association ranks Andrew #2 nationally, and #1 in New York State in Lincoln Douglas debate. This year, he earned 7 qualifying bids to the Tournament of Champions, and reached the final round of two of the most competitive championships in the country. Last summer, Andrew was a research intern at Georgetown University conducting original research into Alzheimer's Disease and hyperimmune activation. He is also a talented pianist with a deep appreciation for music and earned his ABRSM Grade 6 in 2024 and is now preparing for Grade 7.

HHS Footlight Players Present Powerful Performance of Les Misérables 

Harrison High School’s Footlight Players brought down the house with spectacular performances of Les Misérables. The production showcased the extraordinary talent, passion, and dedication of students both on stage and behind the scenes. The incredible performances were supported by a top-notch tech crew and exceptional pit musicians. The stunning set, which added a real authenticity to the show, was built entirely by HHS Tech Crew members and students in the Technical Theater class. A total of 117 students participated as performers, crew members, and musicians, making this show a wonderful collaboration of talent. HHS alumni Halle Mastroberdino (Director) and Noah Platte (Technical Director) brought their expertise, experience and  inspiring leadership back to the HPAC. Take a minute to read the Les Misérables Program

 

LMK Middle School Guidance Program Earns National Recognition; Only Middle School in NY State with RAMP Distinction

American School Counselor Association (ASCA) recognized Louis M. Klein School Counseling Program as a Recognized ASCA Model Program or “RAMP.”  There are fewer than 1,600 schools nationwide and LMK Middle School is the only middle school in New York State that has earned the RAMP designation.  Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Louis Wool described the recognition as “an extraordinary distinction that represents a profound commitment to students.”
 
LMK Principal Scott Fried and Director of Guidance Kelly Malczewski presented at a recent Board of Education meeting.  Mr. Fried explained that this designation included a “rigorous, comprehensive study to verify the school’s counseling programs met national standards established by the ASCA.” Ms. Malczewski shared how the application process reflected and affirmed the district's practice of ongoing evaluation and continuous improvement. In particular, the process helped the guidance team to strengthen how data is used to support student growth and achievement. A custom data dashboard has been designed for the counseling team to better understand and track student progress. Ms. Malczewski also recognized the efforts of the Guidance staff and the leadership of middle school counselors Kristin Kearney, Lisa Cannistraci, and Lauren Ciallella, counselor at Harrison High School. 
 

A national panel of  ASCA reviewers verified that the LMK school counseling program is comprehensive, data-driven, intentional, equitable, student-centered, improves student outcomes, and proactively serves every student.  The process included a multi-year rigorous self-analysis of our guidance curriculum and services, analysis and reflection of school data and strategic initiatives, and measurable progress in closing identified achievement gaps. The ASCA acknowledged the achievement, “Congratulations to your school counseling program for demonstrating exemplary implementation of the ASCA National Model. You have been successful providing evidence for how you define, manage, deliver services and assess your comprehensive school  counseling services to influence student achievement.”

DECA Business Club Students Earn Unprecedented 17 Spots at National Competition

 

A record-breaking 17 students qualified for the National DECA Competition (ICDC) by finishing within the top 7 in their events at the 66th New York State DECA Competition. An additional seven students finished within the top 10. The 2026 state tournament was the largest in the history of the competition with over 3,500 students in attendance. The competition was intense, but Harrison High School students exceeded the already high expectations. Students participated in the various DECA functions, workshops, and meetings. Many of the competitions require a written exam as well as a live-action role-play. This year an unprecedented 96 Harrison students attended the state competition, with many receiving awards in their competitions.

Club President Addison Valente reflected on the experience at the state competition, "The NYS DECA trip is one of the most exciting and rewarding experiences our club has each year…Watching our entire chapter cheer for one another was incredible…Every time a member was called, our section erupted with excitement and pride… Experiences like these remind us that DECA is so much more than just a club or a competition.”

Congratulations to the 17 students who qualified to compete at the National competition!
Addison Valente: Restaurant & Food Service Management (4th time qualifying for Nationals) 
Jonathan Lewis: Hotel & Lodging Management (3rd time qualifying for Nationals)
Liam Azar: Quick Serve Restaurant Management (2nd time qualifying for Nationals) 
Evan Schwartz: Retail Merchandising (2nd time qualifying for Nationals) 
Emily Salemo: Franchise Business Plan (2nd time qualifying for Nationals)
Jonah Peligri & Avery Sickles: Finance Operations
Nolan Simmons: Automotive Series Marketing (3rd time qualifying for Nationals)
Marissa Lusardi: Human Resource Management 
Reese Haines & Brynn Ensign: Business Solutions Project
Cassandra DiBlasi & Selin Cangir: Sales Project 
Sophie Wong: Personal Financial Literacy 
Riko Suzuki & Zoe Kim: Buying & Merchandising Operations
Arata Yamazaki: Accounting Applications  (2nd time qualifying for Nationals)
 
CongratulationS to the students who placed in the top 10 at the NYS competition! 
Julia Braude & Sophie Bernardo - Financial Literacy Project, Madison Mazella & Paige Cronin- Financial Literacy Project, Hailey Graffeo & Lily Tse - Integrated Marketing Campaign Event- Service, Pierce Edwards - Hospitality & Tourism Professional Selling, Jack Lewis - Financial Consulting, Nico Siega, Dani Udell & Maggie Springer- Integrated Marketing Campaign Event, Jack Lewis - Financial Consulting, Jordan Levine- Principles of Hospitality &Tourism 

HHS Students Earn Thirteen Scholastic Awards, Including 3 Gold Keys

Five Harrison High School students have won a total of thirteen Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, including 3 Gold Keys. For more than a century, the Scholastic Awards have celebrated excellence in art and writing created by American high schoolers. Each submission is rigorously evaluated by a panel of leading figures in the visual and literary arts, considering factors such as originality, skill, and the artist's unique voice. Congratulations to our student artists!
Gold Key: Matthew Carrea, Grade 12, Tuscan Radiance, (Painting); Michelle Aldana, Grade 12, The Three Ballerinas, (Photography); Michelle Aldana, Grade 12, Hollow, (Photography)
Silver Key: Matthew Carrea, Grade 12, Among the Mountains, (Painting); Matthew Carrea, Grade 12, Rolling Meadows, (Painting); Finlay Hilton, Grade 12, Urban Communities, (Portfolio); Finlay Hilton, Grade 12, Eye Self Portrait Linocut, (Printmaking) 
Honorable Mention: Lilianna Tesoriero, Grade 11, Lighthouse, (Printmaking); Michelle Aldana, Grade 12, A Burnt Location, (Digital Art); Michelle Aldana, Grade 12, Persona, (Drawing); Michelle Aldana, Grade 12, To be left behind, (Photography); Nathan Kim, Grade 11, Symmetrically Askew, (Photography) 

HHS Magazine Earns Award for Excellence in Art and Literary Magazines

The 2024-25 edition of the Harrison High School Literary Magazine was recognized as a Distinction publication by the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE). Schools in 44 states, Washington, D.C., and six countries nominated 456 student magazines. This edition of the magazine received the rank of Excellent, and the organization commended HHS students for creating an “exceptional publication.”  NCTE’s Recognizing Excellence in Art and Literary Magazines (REALM) program publicly acknowledges excellent literary magazines produced by students with the support of their teachers. REALM is designed to encourage all schools to develop literary magazines that celebrate the art and craft of writing.

EEC Visiting Author Program: Where Ideas Become Books

Author Alicia Klepeis has been visiting our elementary schools, and her presentations have energized our students. 

 
Working with elementary students in grades K–5, visiting author Alicia Klepeis brings writing to life in a way that feels less like a lesson and more like an adventure. Her more than 100 books include Secrets of the Ocean, which plunges readers into the mysteries beneath the sea, and the Exploring World Cultures series, which takes children on explorations across continents.  Sharing her process of discovery, Ms. Klepeis helps students see that curiosity is where every great story begins.  That spirit of inquiry sits at the heart of our Primary Years Programme, where students are encouraged to ask questions, make connections, and find meaning in the world around them. Ms. Klepeis not only makes that visible on the page, but also brings it to life during her presentation.
 
Her visits, called Let's Go There, invite students to look more closely at their own lives and find the stories already living there. She pulls back the curtain on what it actually means to be a writer, from the first spark of an idea all the way to a finished book, and our students begin to see themselves as authors too.
 
The visiting author program is made possible through the Elementary Enrichment Committee, a collaboration of the PTAs of Harrison Avenue, Parsons, Purchase, and Preston Elementary Schools, a shared commitment to ensuring every student has an enriching experience that reflects the best of what our community does together.

HHS Students Take the Floor at Yale, Harvard Model Congress Conferences

Harrison High School students recently participated in the Yale and Harvard University Model Congress conferences, multi-day competitions that simulate the work of the U.S. federal legislature. Prior to the events, students researched real policy issues and drafted their own original bills which they presented at the conference.  Congratulations to the HHS students who won Honorable Mention in their respective committees for Best Delegate at the Yale conference: Ron Blaustein (House Environment and Public Works), Zoe Kim (House Education and the Workforce), Yohanna Moussa Abdelsayed (Senate Ethics).

HCSD Students Among Top Musicians in Westchester

Twelve HCSD musicians were selected to perform at the Westchester County School Music Association's Elementary and Intermediate All-County Festival, placing them among the best musicians in the county. Students are selected from across Westchester to participate in the honors ensembles, based on their outstanding scores at NYSSMA Solo Festivals last spring. Students participated in two rehearsals and performed at concerts on March 7th at White Plains High School.  Congratulations to our student musicians: Maverick Herrera, Jonathan Myung, Adam Abu Taha, Hikari Yoshida, Grace George, Cooper Janeczko, Carolina Scherzer, Hanna Matsumaya, Koshi Matsumaya,Yui Masaki, Nate Crosby, Daria Morozova.

Loud Cheers, Big Hearts in Support of Relay for Life 

Photography: Chris Macedo, HHS 11th grade student

The Harrison community came together to cheer on their teachers and support the high school Relay for Life club in the fight against cancer at the 3rd Annual Faculty Basketball Game. The energy and excitement in the HHS gym were at an all time high and the community spirit was incredible! Mark your calendars….the main Relay for Life event will take place on June 6th at 4 PM at Harrison High School.

Photographs of the Faculty Basketball game were captured by Chris Macedo, an 11th grade student at Harrison High School. Chris currently studies Digital Art & Design in addition to taking five IB courses, and serves as a volunteer with the Harrison Fire Department.

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