Imagination team of students
from SIS who advanced to the
Global Finals in Tennessee,
where they competed against
teams from around the U.S. and
the world. Congratulations!
Somers Middle School
Newswire
Spring 2010
www.sefny.org
NEW GRANTS AWARDED
Since January 2010, SEF has
awarded five grants to the
Somers Central School District
totaling more than $15,000,
with several additional grant
requests being reviewed at
presstime. SEF has distributed
more than 200 grants and 110
scholarships
totaling
over
$600,000 since being founded
in 1994. Here are the latest
grants to be approved, as
submitted for district teachers :
DJ Colella received a grant for
an
electromagnetic
power
supply unit, which provided
sustainable power for the 6th
grade’s electricity curriculum
unit.
Steven Chetcuti received a
grant to purchase Revolutionary
war-style “waistcoats” and
accessories for the student Fife
& Drum unit, for use in parades
and
other
appearances,
including one to Boston on June
5, where they performed along
the Freedom Trail and at Old
North Church.
Somers High School
Ann Ferraro received a grant
to help fund registrations for the
SHS Chamber Choir’s spring
break trip to Montreal and
Quebec City, Canada, where
they performed at several
venues.
Somers Intermediate School
Grace Osterman and Carole
Haber-Cohen received a grant
to fund the appearance of author
Hudson Talbott at the annual
Author’s Day celebration held
May 14. This was given in
honor of former SEF Vice
President and co-founder Kay
Staplin, a retired SIS teacher.
Noel Allen received a special
project grant to help fund the
registration of a Destination
Somers Education Foundation
welcomes grant applications at
anytime.
Applications
are
available at www.sefny.org or
at the district office
SCHOLARSHIP NEWS
SEF has awarded “Excel”
scholarships to distinguished
SHS seniors for years. This year
we refined the awards and
established a specific category
for each of five $1,000
scholarships.
Here
are
descriptions of each award and
the recipients:
Excel Award: given to a senior
who
has
demonstrated
perseverance, tenacity and
creativity
in
overcoming
challenges to reach graduation.
Winner: Ross Weiner
Global Citizenship Award:
given in the name of Stephanie
Crispinelli, an SHS graduate
who died in the Haiti
earthquake, to a senior who has
demonstrated volunteerism and
compassion to help others
around the world. Winner:
Rebecca Calautti
Local Citizenship Award:
given to a senior who has
demonstrated
significant
community service in Somers.
Winner: Michaela Abate
Civic Leadership Award:
given to a senior who has
demonstrated leadership in the
Somers community. Winner:
Laura Welby
Academic
Excellence
in
Alternative Pursuits Award:
given to the senior with overall
highest GPA with intentions of
attending a two-year associates
or trade school program.
Winner: Alexsandra Bruzzone.
Congratulations to all!
SEF EVENTS RECAP
It was a busy spring, with three
signature events taking place.
AWESOME
STUDENT
TALENT ON DISPLAY!
A record 99 very talented
children from Primrose and SIS
2
performed at the SEF’S annual
student variety show on
February 5. Singing, dancing,
instrument playing, juggling
and comedy were on the
entertainment menu of 35 wideranging acts for the audience of
more than 500 who were treated
to a very enjoyable evening.
Special thanks to Aliyah and
Carleigh Meyer and Joseph
McDermott
for
their
contributions to this longtime
community event.
Performers get ready for the show.
GALA DINNER: THREE
NEW HALL OF FAMERS
Three outstanding individuals
became the newest members of
the SEF Hall of Fame at the
Annual Gala Dinner & Auction,
held April 24 at Villa Barone in
Mahopac. The latest inductees,
chosen
after
a
rigorous
nominating process, included
community
leader
Carol
Cirieco, local business owner
and Somers Chamber of
Commerce President Corinne
Procopis, and longtime SIS
instrumental music teacher
Terry Reynolds. All have
given tirelessly of themselves to
enrich the lives of our children.
Cirieco has been a Somers
resident for 25 years. She has
been president of both the SMS
and SHS PTA, has advised the
Somers Leo’s Club, and is
active in many civic groups.
Procopis is a Somers native and
is the president of the Somers
Chamber of Commerce. A
publisher by profession, she is
also a Girl Scout leader and a
Cub Scout den mother.
Reynolds is the band director at
SIS, and has taught in Somers
for 21 years. He also served as
band director for SMS and SHS.
He
has
conducted
the
Westchester Elementary AllCounty band and directed bands
at Manhattanville College.
Before more than 150 attendees,
the honorees received numerous
proclamations and certificates
from local, county and state
political officials who attended
the event, as well as crystal
pieces citing their induction.
There are now 30 individuals in
the SEF Hall of Fame.
Carol Cirieco, Corinne Procopis,
Terry Reynolds and Deborah Moldow
cut the cake at the Gala Dinner.
The
Gala’s
honorary
chairwoman
was
Somers
resident Deborah Moldow, the
representative to the United
Nations of the World Peace
Prayer Society, an international
nonprofit
organization
promoting the prayer “May
Peace Prevail on Earth.” She
was awarded the 2009 Spirit of
the United Nations Award.
A silent auction and a “live”
auction were held as well as a
“Pop and Win” balloon game.
More than $12,000 was raised
through the event and we thank
all supporters. A list of sponsors
appears on the next page.
HARLEM WIZARDS MEET
THE WIZ-BUSTERS AGAIN!
SEF wrapped up the school year
on May 14 with the annual
appearance by the famous
Harlem Wizards basketball
team, featuring star player
“Tojo.” M&T Bank cosponsored the event. The
Wizards thrilled a sold-out
crowd of 700 at SHS with their
pinpoint shooting accuracy and
crazy antics as they played a
determined Wiz-Busters team
of Somers teachers and
administrators. The final score
was not as important as the
sense of community and fun
this event always generates.
Thanks to everyone who
attended and bought raffle
tickets, Wizards merchandise
and other concessions!
THANKS TO DR. MARIEN,
OTHERS FOR SERVICE
SEF extends congratulations to
Superintendent Dr. Joanne
Marien on her retirement after
16 years of service and thanks
her for the constant support of
SEF’s mission and activities.
We also congratulate and thank
SMS Principal Gerrie Paige,
Primrose
Principal
Rick
Fischer and all others in the
district who are retiring.
3
SUPPORT SEF
PRESIDENT’S
CORNER
Images and Impressions
Jack & Renee Kearney
SEF, established in 1994, is a
not-for-profit,
tax-exempt
organization comprised of
parent, school representatives
and community members. SEF
supports Somers schools by
raising funds for specific
student and teacher-initiated
projects
that
enrich
the
educational experience and are
not funded by the district
budget or by other school
groups. Please consider making
a donation to support our
efforts. If your company has a
matching grants or community
support program, we can further
leverage your donation. You
may send to:
John –Michael’s Restaurant
Joseph McDermott
Lake Lincolndale Homeowner’s Association
Lake Lincolndale Martial Arts
Lake Mahopac Pharmacy & Surgical
Learning Express
Liz Olinto
Margaret Rizzuto Photography
Margaret Timone
Martha Levites
Martin Ashley
Mavis Tire
Melissa Neborak
Michael McAnaw
Mimma Firoino
New Visions Kitchen and Bath
Peekskill Paramount Theater
Rick Torres Architecture
Ron Smilowitz
Sesame Street
Shaklee (Moss Family)
Somers 202 Tavern
SEF
Somers Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 401
Somers Eye Center
Somers, NY 10589
Somers Historical Society
Somers Custom Framing
GALA DINNER SPONSORS
Somers Smiles
Somers Spirits Shop
Splash Car Wash
Susan Hintze, LMT
“Live” Auction Prize Donors
Tracey Gage
Traditions Restaurant
Carroll Family
Bowers Family
Westchester Boot Camp for Women
Corbett Family
Durant Party Rental
Westchester Broadway Theater
Judy Kuneth
Karen Knight
Whitehall Auto Service
Lynn Marschke & the NY Yankees
“Pop and Win” Donors
Mexican Shack
Aries Automotive
“Silent” Auction Prize Donors
Adam Stone
Aljan Jewelers
Anne Koplik Design
Bea Matz
Bellizzi
Brewster Theater Co.
Chili’s Restaurant
Firehouse Deli
FitStop Café/Solaris Grand Prix Raceway
Hair by Lisa
H.V. Renegades
Baldwin Place Animal Hospital
Il Forno Trattoria
Luke’s Hair Salon
Best Plumbing
Bruce Heller
Mexican Shack
Missy Vece
Carol Seelig
Casafina
Murphy’s
Once Upon a Child
Certapro Painting
Chris Foley
Osceola Garage
Posies Flowers
Christine McDonald
Dr. Louis Bisogni
PostNet
Robert Santoro
Ed Liss
Edible Arrangements
Sinapi’s –Brewster
Stagecoach Restaurant
Elite Dental
Hilton Garden Inn
Sunshine Restaurant Susan Berliner
Hope & Jim Mazzola
Hudson Valley Renegades
Pink Dogue Salon
UPS Store
It has been a busy school year
for the Somers Education
Foundation. We awarded some
very innovative grants and have
now given over $600,000 in
total grants and scholarships
during SEF’s 16-year history.
As you know, most of the
funding for our grants comes
from the events we hold.
Because of your support, we
raised more than $50,000 this
year through the Golf Outing,
Spaghetti Dinner, Wine Tasting,
Student Variety Show, Gala
Dinner and Auction and the
Harlem Wizards basketball
game.
On behalf of the SEF trustees, I
thank you very much for your
efforts
and
contributions,
especially
during
these
continued difficult economic
times. We are grateful for your
support as we continue our
mission of assisting the district
in giving our students the best
possible education through the
awarding of impactful grants to
our hardworking administrators,
teachers and students. It is
always gratifying to visit the
schools and see the results of
these grants “in action.”
I wish you all a fun and safe
summer, and a 2010-11 school
year filled with showing our
children what can be gained
from giving and the rewards of
creativity. It has been a pleasure
serving as the SEF president
again this year. See you in
September.
--Steve Rolando
4
Please join us for the 2nd annual
Lynn Adams Memorial 5K run
and 1-mile walk on June 26!
Register at www.active.com or
onsite that day at Primrose
School. Somers Independence
Day to follow.
Details:
www.lynnadamsmemorial.com
SEF
PO Box 401
Somers, NY 10589
SEF BOARD 2009-2010
PresidentSteve Rolando
Vice President- Glenn Hintze
TreasurerBill Faulkner
SecretarySarena Meyer
Community Liaison –
Marilyn Foley
School Liaison Liz Olinto
Grants Committee Co-Chairs –
Jeff Feldman & Jud Siebert
Public Relations – Glenn Hintze
Board of Trustees
Deborah Ashley Rose Corbett
Julie Gherardi
Bruce Heller
Janet Holmes
Jack Kearney
Mike McDermott
Mark Rossiter Dave Sammel
Webmasters - Rick Dettwyler
& Mel Reyes
www.sefny.org
MARK YOUR
CALENDAR!
September 16, 2010
Golf Outing
12:00 noon
Anglebrook Golf Club
November 12, 2010
SEF Fall Event
Details to follow
December 1, 2010
Wine Tasting
7:30 pm
Traditions Restaurant
Presorted Standard
US Postage Paid
White Plains,
NY 10610
Permit #763