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SOMERS, N.Y. The Somers Education Foundation (SEF) will honor five outstanding community members at an upcoming fundraiser dubbed The Parent Prom. One of them is Roy Arnesen.
If you went to school in Somers sometime in the last 30 years, you probably remember Arnesen. He started as a physical education teacher at Primrose in 1985 and eventually taught phys ed at the high school as well. For years he has coached high school track and has been assistant coach of the cross-country team. In the fall he will take on the full responsibilities of cross-country coach.
Arnesens teams have won 24 league titles, four county titles and 17 sectional titles. Eleven of his trainees have become high school All-Americans.
Of all these awards, Arnesen says, Its great when the teams do well, but for me its really more about the success of the individual. My greatest happiness comes from getting the personal best out of each person.
On summer vacations, Arnesen spent his time teaching special education at BOCES to autistic children. In between all of this, he helped establish the Somers Special Olympics program in 1998 and the Taconic Road Runners Summer Youth Track and Field program.
He heard about his forthcoming award in an email from SEF Trustee Sarena Meyer. I was very humbled, he said, because I know what high standards they have.
What does he consider his own greatest achievement? He is rather pleased about the Special Olympics, but mostly he is gratified by helping individuals become better. Above all, he treasures his wife, MaryAnn, and my three children, Brittany, Derek and Emily. All three of my kids ran track. I never forced them. I just said, if you want to eat, you have to run track.
The Parent Prom takes place Saturday, April 28, from 7 p.m. to midnight at Armonks Brynwood Country Club. The invitation suggests festive attire. Register at www.theparentprom.com.
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