You Make a Difference
Awards Presentation and Reception
RKA would like to recognize the following people for making a
difference in the lives of the students, staff, and parents of our
community during the 2013-2014 school year.
Thank you for all you do!
Annette Acosta, Vicki Auerbach, JoAnne Jurcic,
Joyce Morrissey, Nancy Moukas
We would like to recognize this group of long-time RKA parents for their dedication to the school
and to the Parents’ Association. They attend monthly PA meetings, brainstorm fundraising
ideas, coordinate and cater events, and volunteer their time to staff these events. They make a
real difference to the RKA Community! Amy Carr and Taffy Dabby
Unjoo Noh Trebach
Unjoo has been an active, engaged parent at RKA for the past three years. As she leaves us at
the end of this year, we want to thank her for her tireless efforts to bring new fundraising ideas
to the school and to promote these events with eye-catching flyers and ads. We’ll miss you,
Unjoo! Amy Carr and Taffy Dabby
Ralph Waldow
Being the treasurer for a volunteer organization isn’t the easiest job, but Ralph has been
keeping the PA books for the past year and bringing his accountant’s eye for detail to the work.
Thanks, Ralph! Amy Carr and Taffy Dabby
Andy Brereton
Andy and his staff provide critical logistical support for every event the PA sponsors. They
round up hoses for the car wash, provide food tables for RCC registration and the middle school
dance, tables and grills for the RKArnival, and much more. We simply couldn’t do it without
Andy! Amy Carr and Taffy Dabby
Lori O’Mara
Over the past year as Taffy and I took the reins of the PA, Lori has been there to help us work
efficiently and effectively with the school. We appreciate her guidance, insight, and support.
Amy Carr and Taffy Dabby
Amy Carr and Taffy Dabby
We would like to nominate Amy Carr and Taffy Dabby. They graciously stepped up and took
over the often thankless job of co-presidents of the Parents’ Association. The transition was
seamless, and the year was very successful. They are awesome to work with and we all look
forward to another wonderful year next year with them at the helm!
The RKA PA Executive Board
Manny Charitos and Hostos Vargas
We would like to thank Manny and Hostos, both seniors, for all the encouragement and
motivation they gave Nicholas this year, both in the classroom and on the field. They especially
took him under their wing while he was trying out for the baseball team. The support given to
him was impressive. Having role models like these two young men can make any freshman’s
transition into high school all the easier. We wish you much success in college. Know that you
have made a difference and for that…we thank you. Annette and Anel Acosta
Unjoo Noh Trebach
In Riverdale community and school circles, there is one widely-known and commonly accepted
fact—If you want a project or event done, done well, done on time, done with exceptional style
(and with beautifully-designed posters and flyers!) make sure you have Unjoo Trebach involved.
Organized, creative, and passionate, those who know her have seen over and over her
dedication and commitment to the success and well-being of not only her own son, but of every
single child in the community. Unjoo’s unique talents to motivate and mobilize are well-matched
by her generous heart, her dry and cynical sense of humor, her artistry, and her wonderful
friendship, from which we have all benefitted greatly over many years. Thank you, Unjoo, for all
you have given RKA. You will be greatly missed. We hope to see you and Brad and Julian at
the RKArnival next year! And please resist the understandable urge too screen our calls when
we reach out for computer files and advice on the planning. All the best to Julian in high school!
JoAnne Jurcic, Vicki Auerbach, Annette Acosta, Nancy Moukas
John Muldoon
In a Parents’ Association world greatly dominated by many opinionated women, there is one
RKA father whose presence, participation, and input have become an essential cog in our
wheel. John Muldoon—always willing to help out, lend a hand, get his hands dirty. Whether it’s
setting up for events, staying on until the bitter end when everyone else bails on cleaning up
when they are over, flipping burgers and hot dogs on the grill, or holding back hungry people at
nightclubs, John is always in command! John doesn’t always say much, but when he does, it is
always a smart, sharp, common sense summary or question that reflects what everyone else in
the room is thinking….and that is such an amazing gift! Thank you so much, John, for all your
effort this year and every year. We are so lucky to have you and Eithne as part of our school
community! JoAnne Jurcic, Vicki Auerbach, Annette Acosta,
Nancy Moukas
Christine Eng
Christine Eng is our fantastic neighbor on the first floor. She is an outstanding teacher—she
knows her subject, engages her students, has the absolute best classroom management skills,
and constantly follows up with parents—I know, because she comes into my office to use the
phone! Not only is she one of the hardest-working and most professional people in the
building—and always a popular stop on our fifth grade parent tours—she is also a warm person
and a good friend. We share advice. We share good news and sob stories. We share recipes.
And if you are nearby when Ms. Eng has her freshly-baked lemon poppy seed muffins—well,
then you are lucky, indeed! Ms. Eng is always in early and always ready to help, even on her
own time—if we’re rushing to set up a breakfast reception in the library, she’s down there with
us, cutting bagels and stacking coffee cups, sacrificing the precious few minutes of “quiet time”
she could be enjoying before the students come streaming in and the school day begins. And-don’t let her tell you any different—the kids love her. It is attested to every day by the ringing
shouts of “Hi Ms. Eng, Hi Ms. Eng, Hi Ms. Eng,” that I hear from her students past and present
as they stream past her classroom door. Christine Eng makes a difference in my life and
everyone’s life here, every day. Julie Prince
Vladislava Petrova
I would like to nominate Vlada for a “You Make a Difference” award. When most kids her age
are looking to quickly leave the building at the end of the day, Vlada selflessly stays behind to
help organize and clean my art room. She doesn’t look for anything in return and never
complains. My room would be a disaster without her! Thank you! Brianne Emsworth
Moussa Alyafai
Moussa Alyafai is and eighth grade student who spoke almost no English when he came to New
York from Yemen last May. His very friendly, outgoing personality has helped him to make
many friends in the school. Although he is struggling academically with the language, he has
also made great progress. At the beginning of April, we got a new sixth grade student, Anwar,
also from Yemen. Not only does Anwar speak no English, he had never set foot in a school
before. He was unable to write his name or anything else in his native language.
Understandably, he seemed scared and overwhelmed. When Anwar’s father enrolled him, he
was concerned about how he would adjust to school. Moussa was called to the main office to
reassure the father. Moussa spoke to the father for a very long time and assured him he would
help Anwar with this transition, assured him he would be in good hands. We have both had to
really rely on Moussa to communicate with Anwar. While we are helping Anwar to learn English
words and letters, Moussa has been working with him to try to teach him the basics of Arabic,
his native language. It is like his personal mission. Anwar has a very long way to go, but you
can see that he is already on his way! Moussa has been able to take on the role of teacher and
mentor to this new student. We are both so proud of Moussa, and so grateful for his help and
his generosity of spirit. Thank you, Moussa—YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
Loretta Bellom and Tyler Davis
Lesly Edmond
I would like to nominate Lesly Edmond. My daughter was “done” by the end of fourth grade.
Fifth grade entailed constant battles involving school and schoolwork. She was bored beyond
belief. She is a different person this year—the fights we used to have are now non-existent.
One of the main reasons is her love for math has been awakened and nurtured by Mr. Edmond.
She said to me one day, “Mom, I love that I have math last period because it gives me
something to look forward to all day.” If you know my daughter, that says it all.
Vicki Auerbach
Carmen Abreu, Jamie Abreu, Andrew Guignard, Ryan Mulchay, Julie Prince,
Charlie Schiller, Carolyn Vecchio, Edward Yordan
How can I nominate only some RKA teachers and staff and not others? But here goes…a
special shout-out to these people who I have experienced to be especially responsive to my
concerns. Even though they deal with soooo many kids, they try to “get” my child. And they
respond quickly! It’s much appreciated. Laura Liebman
Andrew Guignard
I would like to nominate Mr. Guignard, who is the kind of math teacher we all wished we had
when we were young. There are those teachers who teach, but there are also teachers who do
far more. Those are the teachers who truly make a difference. Mr. Guignard is one of those
teachers who takes pride in teaching math. It is his dedication and his willingness to think
outside of the box that makes him stand out. We all know that kids do not learn in the same
way. Mr. Guignard understands this and goes above and beyond for his students to do well.
He is an example of the quality and excellence we want, need, and should promote in our
school. I thank him for his willingness to keep the lines of communication open and for always
responding to my questions and emails. The school year is quickly coming to a close. It has
been a real pleasure to have Mr. Guignard as Alana’s math teacher. Angela Wagenaar
Julie Prince
I would like to nominate Julie Prince as a person who truly makes a difference at RKA . How?
She goes the extra mile to listen, assist, and address concerns. She is supportive and helpful in
directing one to the right department. I would like to thank Julie for the wonderful work she does
as a supporting staff member, and I would like to commend her for the work that she does every
day as a parent coordinator. Thank you Angela Wagenaar
Julie Prince
Julie is a warm and welcoming presence in our school. She bridges the gap between school
and home and does it effortlessly. She knows how to be diplomatic, who to reach out to when
she needs information, and she is always willing to lend a hand. She is a good salesperson for
our school on parents tours, as she has been there” herself. She is an excellent chaperone—I
know this first hand as I have been on some of the same trips in the same capacity. Her own
children have come up through the grades here and she works hard not to take advantage of
the fact that though she works here, she is a mom of a student in the building. If anything, she
tends to go overboard in NOT asking for special favors or requesting support from staff—even
though we would all be more than willing to comply. I am always happy to see her smiling face
most mornings when I come in; if she is ever in a bad mood, I have never observed it. She is a
positive role model and a great person to work with. Michele Eisenberg
Karissa Leonardo (excerpted)
…A few months ago, I entrusted one of my interns with launching a “think tank” to explore
revitalizing the IT department and make it more accessible to students. One of the ways he
proposed on proceeding was to work on bringing new talent into the department….He came in
with a large number of interested applicants….In this pool was the quiet, modest, Karissa
Leonardo. She did not brag about her previous experience, and when I asked her when she
could commence working, she replied with a prompt and eager “immediately.” ….On her first
day of work….I asked her to demonstrate her technical skills on the computer and with various
software, all of which she demonstrated with immense knowledge…shown very rarely in people
of her age. I provided her with the opportunity to work on the school website…by the end of two
weeks, it had been completed (in a manner) which would not have been possible without this
talented and dedicated student. I nominate Karissa to thank her on behalf of the RKA
community. Tony Ramirez
Johan Lang (excerpted)
Being a coach and a teacher is difficult….Imagine coaching a team and teaching multiple
classes—handling two major leadership roles which consistently pose major challenges.
Imagine the difficulty of raising a family, dealing with the complex dynamics of multiple classes
and multiple grades, adding on top of that the additional duty of coaching a team which plays on
a highly competitive level….This is a typical day in the life of Coach/Mister Lang of RKA. Here
is a man, who, even in the face of defeat of a game, smiles and says “There’s always a next
time, and we’ll get it.”…As a teacher who has taught both middle and high school, students who
have had him at one level or the other or both can corroborate the story that here is an educator
of quality; an educator who is a beacon of excellence within this school….This is Mr. Lang. This
is Coach Lang. This is an outstanding member of the school and community who not only
makes us all proud on the field, but off it as well—in the classroom with excellent lesson plans
and first-class teaching methods. ….we nominate Mr. Lang for a “You Make a Difference”
award. Selig Maldonado-Santos and Abby Rugova
Christine Bertero (excerpted)
Ms. Bertero (has) always been an excellent teacher in the building. Her reputation precedes her
and I was eager to eager to enter her class in the tenth grade….not only was my thinking
stimulated by an excellent choice of literature ranging from Renaissance ballads to Victorian-era
stories, I was inspired by the stories to write, to read, to research. I found myself recalling
acronyms Ms. Bertero had taught us during class on poetry conventions on both the ELA
regents and the AP exam….,Ms. Bertero had managed to transmit all of this knowledge, which I
will carry with me my entire life, and I am deeply grateful to her for providing it to me in a highlyeffective, fun, interesting, thought-provoking, and sometimes humorous form…. (Though it was
a difficult year for her personally), Ms. Bertero managed to carry on and provide us with the best
education she could render unto us. In that time, she showed us true strength, true
dedication….a lesson I will carry with me my whole life. It is for the merits of her excellence in
the classroom juxtaposed with the merits of her perseverance….that I nominate Ms. Bertero for
this honor. Selig Maldonado-Santos
Taffy Dabby (excerpted)
“Hey! How can I help you? I’ll be glad to help with that!” are just some of the warm,
welcoming, never-take-no-as-an-answer ways in which Ms.Taffy Dabby of the Parents’
Association expresses her profound kindness to others, showing them the true RKA
way….Since I have come to this school in the sixth grade seven years ago, she has been there
helping the school and the community, aiding in making it a better place. Every day we go to
RKA and walk its hallways, see the mini-grants our faculty enjoy, we realize that these things
could not have been achieved without the effort of the faculty, the students, and the Parents’
Association….Ms. Dabby and her fellow parents are not solely excellent members of this
community, but also outstanding members of RKA for their priceless contributions and countless
hours of selfless hard work. Selig Maldonado-Santos
Sheilagh Lustig
Manu is “Moving Up” from eighth grade in June. He continues to have a wonderful time at RKA
with his teachers, friends, and well-wishers. He enjoys being part of RKA, and we hope he will
continue to associate himself with RKA even after he moves on to Bronx Science in the fall. We
cannot thank enough Manu’s teachers, Ms. O’Mara, and many others in the school who made
his time as relishing and as productive as it could be. We would like to especially thank one
person who really took it upon herself to make a difference for Manu, and continues to go “over
and beyond” anything we could have expected. Ms. Sheilagh Lustig has taken great care of
Manu, taking him under her wing and motivating him in every way she could. Ms. Lustig has
been all ears to us, his parents, as well, any time we needed guidance. She understands Manu,
encourages him in his studies and builds up his confidence with her advice and encouragement.
We are forever thankful to her for all she has been doing for Manu and for us.
Hari and Sudha Varma
Emily Maneiro
She was so conscientious in ensuring the continuity of learning that she took it upon herself to
actually teach the Health lessons to the 6th graders instead of having the sub teacher provide
them with busy work. Sean Mohan
Devin Walsh, William Tsai and Faye Landsman
Thank you for picking up the lab preps for the year thus enabling students to qualify for Regents
exams and expand their scientific experience. Sean Mohan
Phylis Shulman
I nominate for her spectacular job in reviving our library, obtaining new
wonderful resources, and in running the Poetry Café. Thomas Sullivan
Kerry Briscoe
Thank you for joining our staff. Taking over in the taking over in the
middle of the school year, but when Ms. Briscoe joined our staff we
knew we had nothing to worry about. She is smart, professional,
conscientious, and has made very good connections with students in a
very short while. Thomas Sullivan
Michele Clarke
Volunteers to go on college trips, tutors kids after school, pays close attention to administrative details,
and provides continuity to students, outreach to paretns. and collegiality to staff. I’m so glad you joined
us here at RKA. Sheilagh Lustig
Robert Hazell
Always staying late to help us with administrative tasks. Without his work many things such as
programs, awards, and testing details could not have been completed as efficiently as they were. He is
capable, hard working, and friendly. It was great to get to know you this year. Thomas Sullivan and
Sheilagh Lustig
Aimee Dawson
Dawson? It should say AWESOME! She has a complicated program in which she teaches professionally
and productivelty. She led the Model UN group this year, developed a peer mediation program, and
served as a mentor to a newer teacher. Ms. Dawson is also sucha team player going above and beyond
in community events such as being the first woman ever to participate on the RKA Faculty basketball
team. Thank you for making such positive difference. Lori O’Mara
Michael Hirsh
I would like to nominate Mr. Hirsh for a “You Make a Difference” Award. He helped me through all mty
college difficulties and I was in promotional doubt and he made me learn a work ethic. Without him I
wouldn’t be graduating; without this teacher’s outstanding work. Steven Simkin