Here's the second in our series of interviews with winners of the Ardsley PTA Jenkins Award for service to the community. Come back to Ardsley Today each day this week to learn more about the other winners.
Marlena Tsagaris is the kind of parent in the Ardsley School District who you recognize because you see her everywhere. According to the award committee, she's shown great commitment to the community in various roles: as Co-chair of PTA’s high school college conference, the High School's 12th Grade Liaison, and the PTA's High School VP. She's also shown herself to be an unfailing supporter of Ardsley athletics as Co-President of the Panthers' Association and a tireless fan of many school sports. We caught up with her by email for this interview:
How do you feel about receiving the Jenkins Award?
I am very honored to receive the Jenkins Award and to be recognized by my peers; however I share the award with all those who dedicate much of their free time to help keep our community spirit vibrant and productive. I might have brought a few good ideas to the table, but without the enthusiasm and support of so many involved parents, they would have remained nothing but good ideas. I am so fortunate and grateful to have met many wonderful people along the way, and hope to continue my support to the Ardsley PTA and Panther Association in any way possible.
What has driven you to be so involved with the students of Ardsley all these years?
It all began with being class mom for my son’s first grade class, and falling in love with every single child. That class graduates college this year! It’s been such a privilege to bear witness to the youth of so many wonderful kids as they grew into incredible young adults, and to share in the many experiences, accomplishments and joys these students have given their parents and community. It has been an honor to play a very small part in helping to enhance their experience at Ardsley High School. I hope to help establish the tradition of the Senior-to-Senior Prom as the final community event graduating seniors participate in, where they invite their grandparents and Ardsley’s senior citizens for dinner, dancing and mingling. It’s a wonderful way to express appreciation to our elders, and to leave high school with an increased awareness of their needs. I thank the Ardsley PTA for its support in making this event possible.
You've been very involved with the Panther Association. Can you tell us what they do and why you think it's important?
The Panther Association is a very dedicated group of parent volunteers who host several events throughout the school year in order to raise funds. These funds provide scholarships to distinguished graduating student-athletes, support athletic programs, and sponsor the Senior Awards Banquet where all athletes receive a complementary dinner and over 400 people attend. It is wonderful when the community comes together towards such great goals, but also to get to know each other and create new friendships. Last year we awarded $9,000 in scholarships, which are so greatly appreciated in these times of escalating college costs. Our final fundraiser each year is the annual Golf Outing, which is a lot of fun. Even if you’re not a golfer, you can attend the dinner and enjoy a great night out with your friends, and play a part in supporting the programs we sponsor. Ardsley, we need you!
You've orchestrated the gathering of senior baby pictures for Graduation...how many can you identify (without cheating!)?
The Wall of Photos at AHS graduation which is sponsored by the Ardsley PTA is probably my favorite idea. I love opening the photo envelopes and seeing the baby pictures, and I do recognize over half of them! It’s great fun putting the posters together, the “then and now” portraits and then watching the seniors giggle among themselves as they march by and recognize each other. After the ceremony is over, it’s so satisfying to watch parents and grandparents find their child and take down their poster as a souvenir of the day. My baby graduates this year, so you’ll definitely catch me tearfully removing her poster!
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