Scarsdale Alternative School Holds 39th Annual Graduation Ceremony

A severe thunderstorm didn't deter the Scarsdale Alternative School from holding its 39^th annual graduation ceremony, which took place inside the high school's auditorium last Friday evening at 4 p.m. 

Clad in light summer dresses and suits instead of caps and gowns, 28 graduating seniors were welcomed by SAS Director Howard Rodstein, who congratulated the students on their accomplishments.

“We pride ourselves on preparing students to enter the world, so graduation is mostly a sweet moment for us,” Rodstein told Scarsdale Patch. “It is a little bit sad to see them go.”

Created in 1972 as an experimental satellite school by a group of students and faculty, the SAS is known for its small, tight-knit community, individualized curriculum and democratic student body – characteristics that Rodstein said are reflected in the school's graduation ceremony.  

“Part of the pleasure of an SAS graduation is that we’re able to individualize and celebrate each graduate in a small way,” Rodstein said. 

Rodstein also noted that the graduating class’s commencement speaker, Sam Harris '11, and master of ceremonies,  Sarah Bushin '11, were elected by their fellow students instead of being chosen by the administration.

“We’re a democratic school," Rodstein said. 

Following Rodstein’s welcome, individual advisors introduced the students as they walked across the auditorium’s stage to receive their diplomas and gifts given by SAS sophomores and juniors.

Senior Haley Rauch, who will study mathematics at Wesleyan University next fall, told Scarsdale Patch that what she will miss most about her SAS experience is the strong sense of community.

“The school is about meeting people from different paths of life,” Rauch said.

Bushin, the evening's master of ceremonies, plans to study animation at Maryland Institute College of Art next fall. She said she’ll miss her close relationship with SAS teachers and talking with Howard Rodstein during weekly advisor meetings.

“I’m so proud of everyone,” Bushin said. “I’m going to miss all of them next year.”