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Best High Schools: Hudson Valley Well-Represented In Brand-New U.S. News Rankings Best High Schools: Hudson Valley Well-Represented In Brand-New U.S. News Rankings
Best High Schools: Hudson Valley Well-Represented In Brand-New U.S. News Rankings New York is well-represented on U.S. News & World Report's latest rankings of the nation's best high schools. The brand-new rankings were released Tuesday morning, April 23, and determined by performance on state-required tests, graduation, and how well they prepare students for college. The highest-ranked school outside New York City is on Long Island: Jericho, at No. 13 statewide and 104th nationally. The top-rated high school in Westchester County is Edgemont at No. 14 in the state and 128th in the nation, with Bronxville, at No. 16 in the state and 151st nationally. Another W…

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by Joe Lombardi
Schools
Schools Superintendent In Hudson Valley Announces Retirement Schools Superintendent In Hudson Valley Announces Retirement
Schools Superintendent In Hudson Valley Announces Retirement A superintendent at one of the largest school districts in Northern Westchester has just announced he will be retiring. Andrew Selesnick has been in his post at the Katonah-Lewisboro School District since 2015, when he accepted the position after serving as principal at Horace Greeley High School in Chappaqua. His retirement will be effective Friday, July 12. "It is hard to express how grateful I am to have been your superintendent for nine years and an educator in Northern Westchester for 32 years," Selesnick said in a statement. "Though I’m retiring as superintendent, I will seek new way…

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by Joe Lombardi
Politics
Poll Shows Tight Race In Special Election For George Santos Congressional Seat Poll Shows Tight Race In Special Election For George Santos Congressional Seat
Poll Shows Tight Race In Special Election For George Santos Congressional Seat New polling is showing a tight race ahead of New York’s special election to fill George Santos’ vacant House seat. An Emerson College/PIX11 poll of 3rd District voters released Thursday, Jan. 18, shows Democrat Tom Suozzi narrowly leading Republican Mazi Pilip 45 percent to 42 percent. Five percent of voters want someone else for the job while nine percent are still undecided, the poll found. Earlier Report: Election Date Set To Fill George Santos' Vacant House Seat The 3rd District seat – which represents parts of Nassau County and Queens – has sat vacant since Santos was ousted i…

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by Michael Mashburn
Obituaries
‘Beautiful Heart, Soul': National Guard Member From Region Dies At Age 33 ‘Beautiful Heart, Soul': National Guard Member From Region Dies At Age 33
‘Beautiful Heart, Soul': National Guard Member From Region Dies At Age 33 Tributes are pouring in for a beloved New York Army National Guard member from the region following her untimely death. Heather St. Pierre, formerly of Troy in Rensselaer County, died at her Cambridge home in Washington County on Thursday, Jan. 11 at the age of 33, according to her obituary. A cause of death was not given. Born in Albany, St. Pierre graduated from Hoosic Valley Central School in 2008, where she holds school records in pole vaulting and track. She later obtained a criminal justice degree from Bryant & Stratton College. St. Pierre was a member of the Military Poli…

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by Michael Mashburn
Schools
Hudson Valley School District Taps New Superintendent: 'Has Proven Record' Hudson Valley School District Taps New Superintendent: 'Has Proven Record'
Hudson Valley School District Taps New Superintendent: 'Has Proven Record' A school district in the Hudson Valley has officially named a new superintendent who is already a very familiar face.  The Brewster Central School District in Putnam County announced the appointment of Michelle Gosh as its next superintendent on Friday, Jan. 12. Gosh will officially take over the position on Monday, July 1 following the retirement of her predecessor, Laurie Bandlow.  Earlier Report - Brewster Central Schools Superintendent To Step Down: Decision Made With 'Very Heavy Heart' Although Gosh will be taking on a new role, she is a familiar face in Brew…

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
School Opens World's First 'Hologram Studio' For Education In Hudson Valley School Opens World's First 'Hologram Studio' For Education In Hudson Valley
School Opens World's First 'Hologram Studio' For Education In Hudson Valley A film school in Westchester is making history by opening the first-ever "hologram studio" for educational purposes, officials announced.  The grand opening for the world's first-ever hologram studio for youth and education was held on Tuesday, Nov. 28 at the S.I.C. Film School located at 1 Larkin Pl., Yonkers city officials announced.  According to the school, the studio is the first to be made specifically for educational purposes and is part of the institution's focus on using virtual reality and the metaverse in arts education.  Students will be able to use the studio to…

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
Nelson Mandela's Grandson Visits Hudson Valley Schools, Encourages Students To Serve Community Nelson Mandela's Grandson Visits Hudson Valley Schools, Encourages Students To Serve Community
Nelson Mandela's Grandson Visits Hudson Valley Schools, Encourages Students To Serve Community Students at two Westchester schools were treated to a visit from the grandson of famed activist and politician Nelson Mandela, who encouraged them to take some time to give back to their communities and stand up for others.  Ndaba Mandela, the grandson of former South African President Nelson Mandela, visited the Nelson Mandela/Dr. Hosea Zollicoffer School and Mount Vernon High School on Tuesday, Nov. 21, Mount Vernon City School District officials announced. During his visits to the schools, Mandela discussed his grandfather's legacy and his activism efforts and also participated…

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
7 NY School Districts Among Top 13 In Nation, According To New Rankings 7 NY School Districts Among Top 13 In Nation, According To New Rankings
7 NY School Districts Among Top 13 In Nation, According To New Rankings Several school districts in the region rank among the best in the nation in brand-new rankings. TeachSimple analyzed reviews and ratings of each US school district and ranked them from highest to lowest, with 1 being the lowest, and 5 being the highest.  The scores are based on reviews from parents and students, statistics from the US Department of Education, and user-submitted information from schools.  The two top-ranked districts in New York and Connecticut are both in Nassau County on Long Island: No. 3 Roslyn Union Free SD has a high proficiency in both reading and math. T…

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by Joe Lombardi
Politics
Hochul Signs Controversial ‘Clean Slate’ Law Sealing Most Criminal Convictions Hochul Signs Controversial ‘Clean Slate’ Law Sealing Most Criminal Convictions
Hochul Signs Controversial ‘Clean Slate’ Law Sealing Most Criminal Convictions Millions of New Yorkers will soon have their criminal convictions sealed under new legislation meant to better help them find jobs and housing. Gov. Kathy Hochul signed the “Clean Slate Act” into law during a ceremony in Brooklyn on Thursday, Nov. 16. Under the new law, those with misdemeanor convictions will have their records sealed three years after their release from incarceration, while felony convictions will be sealed after eight years. Earlier Report: Suffolk County DA Accuses Lawmakers Of 'Protecting Criminals' With Proposed 'Clean Slate' Bill Class A felonies, which include m…

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by Michael Mashburn
Schools
New Superintendent Tapped At School District In Hudson Valley New Superintendent Tapped At School District In Hudson Valley
New Superintendent Tapped At School District In Hudson Valley After a thorough search process, a Northern Westchester school district has selected a new superintendent who comes from a school system close to home.  The Hendrick Hudson School District has named Michael A. Tromblee as its new superintendent of schools, who will be appointed to his new position during a Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 3 at 7 p.m. in the Hendrick Hudson High School library.  Tromblee, who will officially begin his new role on Friday, Dec. 1, will come from the nearby Mahopac Central School District, where he has served as Assistant Sup…

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
Best High Schools: NY Well-Represented In Brand-New U.S. News Rankings Best High Schools: NY Well-Represented In Brand-New U.S. News Rankings
Best High Schools: NY Well-Represented In Brand-New U.S. News Rankings Led by a strong showing downstate, New York is well-represented on U.S. News & World Report's brand-new rankings of the nation's best high schools. The rankings were released on Tuesday, Aug. 29. Top-ranked in the Empire State is the High School Math Science and Engineering at CCNY, with a 100-percent graduation rate and college readiness rating of 98.9, placing it at the No. 22 spot nationally. The top five-ranked Long Island high schools are: Jericho High School (13th in NY, 104th nationally) Garden City High School (21st in the state, 199th nationally) Great Neck South H…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
36-Year-Old Hudson Valley Woman Shot, Killed Inside Parked Car 36-Year-Old Hudson Valley Woman Shot, Killed Inside Parked Car
36-Year-Old Hudson Valley Woman Shot, Killed Inside Parked Car The family of a beloved mother originally from Westchester is in mourning after she was shot and killed inside her parked car by a 32-year-old man, according to police.   Former Irvington-on-Hudson resident Kaitlyn Ashley Lynch was killed on Friday, Aug. 18 at the age of 36 while sitting in her parked car outside her home in Cincinnati, Ohio, according to the city's police department.  On the day of her death, just before midnight, Cincinnati officers responded to Lynch's home and found evidence that suggested there had been a shooting and possible kidnapping, and b…

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
These Hudson Valley School Districts Among Top 10 In America For Best Teachers, Report Says These Hudson Valley School Districts Among Top 10 In America For Best Teachers, Report Says
These Hudson Valley School Districts Among Top 10 In America For Best Teachers, Report Says They’re arguably the most crucial component of any student’s academic career - the unsung heroes in our society - and some of the very best teachers in the country can be found right here in New York, according to a new report. Seven school districts in the state made the top 20 on Niche’s 2023 “Districts with the best teachers in America” report. The community and school ranking website looks at a number of key areas, such as academics, diversity, college prep, and sports, and assigns each category a letter grade. The following New York school districts were given an A+ in the “teachers” …

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by Michael Mashburn
Schools
Legacy At Stake: Harvard Admissions Perk Under Federal Review, Reports Say Legacy At Stake: Harvard Admissions Perk Under Federal Review, Reports Say
Legacy At Stake: Harvard Admissions Perk Under Federal Review, Reports Say Harvard University is under federal scrutiny for its preferential treatment of donor and legacy candidates, reports say.  The US Department of Education announced this week it had opened an investigation into the prestigious Massachusetts university's admissions practices for undergraduate applicants, according to Harvard's newspaper, the Crimson.    Related: End Of 'Legacy': Wesleyan University Halts Admissions Perk The investigation will seek to determine if the legacy or donor admissions discriminate on the basis of race, the Crimson reported. If so, the university m…

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by Morgan Gonzales
Schools
School District In Hudson Valley Names HS Alum As New Superintendent School District In Hudson Valley Names HS Alum As New Superintendent
School District In Hudson Valley Names HS Alum As New Superintendent A new school superintendent has been named to take over a Hudson Vally school district after the former leader resigned. Dr. Daniel Erceg was unanimously approved to take the helm of the Saugerties Central School District in Ulster County at a special Board of Education meeting held on Tuesday, June 27.  A Saugerties resident, Erceg graduated from Saugerties High School in 2002, officials said. "We are confident that Dr. Erceg's experience, expertise, and vision will greatly contribute to the success and growth of our schools," said Board President Robert Thomann. Erceg is …

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by Kathy Reakes
Lifestyle
This Hudson Valley Community Ranks Ninth Nationally Among Best Places For Families: Fortune This Hudson Valley Community Ranks Ninth Nationally Among Best Places For Families: Fortune
This Hudson Valley Community Ranks Ninth Nationally Among Best Places For Families: Fortune Of all the towns in New York State, this community was decided the best for families and one of the best in the country. In Fortune Magazine's 2023 “50 Best Places to Live for Families” ranking, the Westchester County town of Greenburgh came in at No. 9, beating out dozens of other municipalities around the country, and ranking as best in the Empire State. What makes Greenburgh one of the best in the nation, Fortune claims, includes its proximity to New York City while still delivering a “small-town charm in a leafy landscape of rolling hills.” With historic residences to visit, outdoor r…

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by Sophie Grieser
Schools
New Principal Named At School In Hudson Valley New Principal Named At School In Hudson Valley
New Principal Named At School In Hudson Valley The search for a new middle school principal in a Northern Westchester district ended up settling on a candidate very close to home.  Donald Peters has been named the new principal of Peekskill Middle School, Peekskill City School District Superintendent David Mauricio announced on Wednesday, May 17.  Mauricio's recommendation of Peters, who was already serving as interim principal at the school, was accepted by the district's school board during their meeting on Tuesday, May 16.  Before serving as the school's interim principal, Peters held the position of assistant pr…

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
New Superintendent To Take Command At District In Hudson Valley New Superintendent To Take Command At District In Hudson Valley
New Superintendent To Take Command At District In Hudson Valley After an extensive search, a school district in Northern Westchester has named its next superintendent.  Duncan Wilson has been selected as the new Superintendent of the North Salem Central School District and will take over the position on Saturday, July 1, district officials announced.  Wilson will take over the position from Ken Freeston, who will be retiring at the end of the school year.  Wilson comes to North Salem from the Ardsley Union Free School District, where he was assistant superintendent. Prior to that, he was director of instruction and human resources a…

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
This School District In Hudson Valley Ranks In Top 15 In America, New Report Says This School District In Hudson Valley Ranks In Top 15 In America, New Report Says
This School District In Hudson Valley Ranks In Top 15 In America, New Report Says A school district in Westchester has been recognized as one of the best in the entire country, according to new rankings.  The Scarsdale Union Free School District has placed No. 11 in America, according to Niche's new 2023 rankings of the top school districts in the country.  According to Niche, the organization uses "a series of steps to ensure statistical rigor and useful guidance in the school choice experience," according to its website. A detailed explanation of the criteria used to rank the school districts can be read by clicking here.  In addition to ranking as one …

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
Brewster Central Schools Superintendent To Step Down: Decision Made With 'Very Heavy Heart' Brewster Central Schools Superintendent To Step Down: Decision Made With 'Very Heavy Heart'
Brewster Central Schools Superintendent To Step Down: Decision Made With 'Very Heavy Heart' The superintendent of a Hudson Valley school district has made the unexpected decision to retire in order to take care of a family member. Laurie Bandlow of the Brewster Central School District in Putnam County is set to retire at the end of the 2023-24 school year, according to an announcement by the school district.  The "unexpected" decision came after Bandlow's mother died in September 2022 and she realized that she would soon need to care for her aging father, according to district officials.  Because of this, she decided to give notice to the district a year in advance…

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by Ben Crnic
Lifestyle
Here's Where NY Ranks Among Best States In US, And Why Here's Where NY Ranks Among Best States In US, And Why
Here's Where NY Ranks Among Best States In US, And Why A brand-new report ranks all 50 states from top to bottom based on a variety of factors. U.S. News & World Report released its annual best states rankings on Tuesday, May 2, and New York came in at -- drumroll, please -- No. 20. Rankings were based on statistics in several categories, including economy, crime, health care, infrastructure, and education. A total of 48.8 percent of New Yorkers are college educated, the report said. New York has a median income of $43,462 and a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of just over $2 billion. Utah is the top-ranked state in the rankings. …

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by Joe Lombardi
Schools
New Assistant Superintendent Of HR Named By Mahopac Central School District New Assistant Superintendent Of HR Named By Mahopac Central School District
New Assistant Superintendent Of HR Named By Mahopac Central School District A school district in the Hudson Valley has selected its next assistant superintendent of human resources.  The Mahopac Central School District in Putnam County has picked Jennifer Pontillo to serve as Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources beginning in the 2023-2024 school year, officials announced on Friday, April 28.  Pontillo, who is currently the principal of the district's Lakeview Elementary, has worked in Mahopac since 1994, beginning as a first-grade teacher.  She then became the principal of Lakeview Elementary in 2000 and has remained in the pos…

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by Ben Crnic
Obituaries
Former Teacher From Hudson Valley Dies At 69: Made Life 'Easygoing, Silly' For Friends, Family Former Teacher From Hudson Valley Dies At 69: Made Life 'Easygoing, Silly' For Friends, Family
Former Teacher From Hudson Valley Dies At 69: Made Life 'Easygoing, Silly' For Friends, Family A beloved Westchester County native who taught chemistry at a high school in Connecticut and made learning fun for his students is being remembered for his light-hearted nature.  Richard Linden, who grew up in the city of Rye and who taught in Tolland County at RHAM High School in Hebron, died on Sunday, April 16 at the age of 69, according to his obituary.  Born in 1953, Linden went on to graduate from Cornell University with a Bachelor's Degree in Biology and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Chicago.  After working as a hospital administrator for …

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
School District In Hudson Valley Didn't Properly Monitor, Account For Fixed Assets: Comptroller School District In Hudson Valley Didn't Properly Monitor, Account For Fixed Assets: Comptroller
School District In Hudson Valley Didn't Properly Monitor, Account For Fixed Assets: Comptroller A school district in Northern Westchester was found to have maintained inaccurate records of fixed assets by an audit performed by state officials.  The audit, performed by the Office of the New York State Comptroller between July 2020 and April 2022, found that the Chappaqua Central School District did not "properly monitor and account for" several fixed assets, and had not performed a physical inventory count since 2018, state officials said.  According to a report released by the Comptroller's Office, of the 164 assets reviewed by the audit, 148 assets totaling over $220,0…

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by Ben Crnic
Lifestyle
This Hudson Valley County Is NY's Healthiest, Brand-New Study Says This Hudson Valley County Is NY's Healthiest, Brand-New Study Says
This Hudson Valley County Is NY's Healthiest, Brand-New Study Says Those looking to improve their wellness might want to consider moving to the Hudson Valley county which has been ranked as the healthiest in the entirety of New York, according to a new study.  Putnam County has been ranked as the healthiest out of the 62 counties in New York, according to a new study released on Wednesday, March 29 by researchers from the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute.  In ranking each county, the researchers considered data relating to categories such as length of life, quality of life, health behaviors, social and economic factors, and phy…

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
Swastikas Found At High School In Hudson Valley Swastikas Found At High School In Hudson Valley
Swastikas Found At High School In Hudson Valley Police in the Hudson Valley are investigating after several swastikas were discovered at an area high school. The incident took place in Rockland County on Wednesday, March 22, when a school resource officer assigned to Clarkstown South High School in West Nyack was informed that swastikas were discovered in a classroom, said Clarkstown PD Det. Norm Peters. Peters said the drawings were reported by a teacher who stated that she observed the two swastikas over the past month in her classroom.  The first was observed on a wall near the exit door accompanied by the words “…

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by Kathy Reakes
Obituaries
Already Reeling From Student’s Death, High School In Region Mourns Loss Of Beloved Teacher Already Reeling From Student’s Death, High School In Region Mourns Loss Of Beloved Teacher
Already Reeling From Student’s Death, High School In Region Mourns Loss Of Beloved Teacher A high school community in the region already mourning the loss of a student is now dealing with more grief following the death of a beloved teacher. Mary Hoffa, who taught science for 20 years at Schenectady High School, died Wednesday, March 1, after battling an illness, according to a statement from Schenectady City Schools Superintendent Anibal Soler. Soler said several of Hoffa’s colleagues had been in contact with her and were at her bedside before she died.  “Mary was known as a smart and kind woman, adored and loved by all who knew her,” Soler said. “She will be greatly missed b…

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by Michael Mashburn
Schools
'Diverse' Snowman Post Lands School District In Region In Hot Water 'Diverse' Snowman Post Lands School District In Region In Hot Water
'Diverse' Snowman Post Lands School District In Region In Hot Water A school district in New York is apologizing after a Facebook post about a snowman sparked allegations of racism. In a now-deleted post on Tuesday, Jan. 31, Greene County’s Coxsackie-Athens Central School District included a photo of three students standing next to a noticeably dirty snowman. The caption reads, “Today’s CE Fourth Grade Playground Fun! This snowman is just as diverse as our students!” The Coxsackie-Athens Central School District apologized over a Facebook post about a "diverse" snowman that sparked allegations of racism.Coxsackie-Athens Central School District It didn’…

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by Michael Mashburn
Politics
'Thrilled To Join This Community': Hudson Valley's Hillary Clinton Reveals New Teaching Gig 'Thrilled To Join This Community': Hudson Valley's Hillary Clinton Reveals New Teaching Gig
'Thrilled To Join This Community': Hudson Valley's Hillary Clinton Reveals New Teaching Gig Hillary Clinton is ready to begin a new chapter in her professional career. Clinton will soon start teaching classes at Columbia University in New York City, according to an announcement by the university on Thursday, Jan. 5.  There, she will serve as a professor of practice at the university's School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) and a presidential fellow at Columbia World Projects. In these roles, she hopes to help the world's next generation of leaders face upcoming obstacles, Clinton said.  "Columbia's commitment to educating the next generation of policy leaders—and help…

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
Here's Where New York Ranks Among States With Best Public School Systems, Forbes Says Here's Where New York Ranks Among States With Best Public School Systems, Forbes Says
Here's Where New York Ranks Among States With Best Public School Systems, Forbes Says New York ranks in the top half of states with the best public school systems, according to a report from Forbes.  The state ranks 22nd in the nation for its public schools, according to the news outlet. The schools in the state benefit from the cultural diversity of places like New York City, which is "widely deemed the cultural capital of the world," the Forbes report said.  One advantage that this cultural diversity brings is the number of languages that are spoken in the city, which total as many as 800, according to Forbes.  Click here to read the full report from Forbe…

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by Ben Crnic
Obituaries
48-Year-Old Sunday School Teacher From Region Dies Suddenly 48-Year-Old Sunday School Teacher From Region Dies Suddenly
48-Year-Old Sunday School Teacher From Region Dies Suddenly A lifelong resident of Northern Westchester who loved educating children at churches in the area has died suddenly.  Ossining resident Jennifer Maria Arduini died on Saturday, Dec. 3 at the age of 48, according to her obituary.  Born in White Plains in 1974, Arduini graduated from Ossining High School before earning her Associate Degree from the Westchester Business Institute, her obituary said.  Arduini was passionate about working with children in churches, serving as a Sunday School teacher at the Ossining Gospel Assembly, and also teaching at the Noah’s Ar…

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by Ben Crnic