Hudson Scholars

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Hudson Scholars Forming friendship and community

On any given day at the Hudson Scholars enrichment program, you’ll find groups of Hackley School mentors and Sleepy Hollow Middle School students immersed in variety of activities challenging their minds and bodies.

Hackley's campus in Tarrytown acts a backdrop for the academic and social development of the children over four weeks. The program entered its third year this July and has doubled in size to 30 scholars. Rising sixth-graders, who recently moved up from Washington Irving, are joined this summer by the students who participated last year. “The fact that our scholars returned after last summer shows that they want to be here and they are excited to be part of this program,” said Program Director David Sykes. “The returning seventh-graders are wonderful role models for the new cohort, as they demonstrate hard work, collaboration, inclusivity and a desire to do the absolute best. They take pride in what they are accomplishing.”

Each day starts with the mentors, students, and instructors meeting and planning their day - and then it’s into the classrooms for some work in English, math, science, social studies, drama, art, and Physical Education.

During science class students often work on two projects a day and the scholars have already studied Newton’s Law of Inertia. Recently, science teacher Regina DiStefano and class mentors taught the younger students how to build catapults out of Popsicle sticks, rubber bands, tape and spoons.

This hands-on-work overlaps some of the curriculum the students have already been taught in school and reinforces important skills. “Designing and re-designing, asking questions, these skills are transferable,” commented DiStefano. She and the mentors helped the campers trouble-shoot their projects. 11-year old Alex showed us his work.

Seventh-graders found out it is never too early to start thinking about saving for the future. They learned the concepts of banking and interest as they explored the themes of wants and needs. They will put this knowledge into practice on Saturday, July 28th at the Hudson Scholars Community Day. The students and mentors will be setting up lemonade stands in Sleepy Hollow and Tarrytown and donate their profits to charity.

That same day the sixth-graders will partner with the TaSH Farmer’s Market and run games and activities for young children based on the theme of sustainability. Sykes said, “We want the campers and the mentors to become more involved and be a part of their community.”

The benefits of the Hudson Scholars program surpass academics for both scholars and mentors. Sykes passion for the program spreads through the camp. “It sounded like an incredible thing to help and make a difference in the students' lives,” said 15-year old Oren, a rising junior at Hackley. He returned for a second summer. “I already loved the program and we are forming a community and forming so many bonds.” 15-year old Lara, who will be a sophomore in the fall, participated in a Scholars Reunion and Tutoring Program during the school year. Upper School students and SHMS students gathered each week for lessons and on a monthly basis for potluck socials. “I love the idea of being able to connect with the kids. You have an impact on them and they have an impact on you,” she said.

It is that impact of each young student's voice in the world that acts as the guiding force behind one special class called The Identity Lab which focuses on leadership identity and character education. Under the direction of educator Emily Washington, seventh-graders are studying The International Bill of Human Rights and finding their own place in their community as they are transformed into leaders. “We focus on who they are and how do they fit in," explained Washington. “We want them to create a strong sense of self.”

The younger students enter the program after receiving a recommendation from a teacher at WI and their families fill out an application. Scholars and mentors alike are looking forward to a fishing trip, overnight camping and a visit to the Metropolitan Museum of Art this summer.

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