Hudson Scholars Program

Hudson Scholars Program Unique Summer program brings hackley and tarrytown students together

Washington Irving Intermediate School Students who are entering 6th grade in the fall are this year’s Hudson Scholars, spending four weeks in a unique program at the Hackley School Campus in Tarrytown that pairs Hackley student mentors with the Tarrytown students. The Mentors consist of nearly two dozen students from Hackley’s Upper school who share their academic knowledge in the classroom and their friendship with the Tarrytown youngsters in the day-long program.

A simple game of telephone transforms itself into a lesson about communication. A drama class gets everyone moving and helps even the shyest of youngsters break out of their shells.

Eighteen-year-old Fernando, who just graduated from Hackley and is heading to Harvard University in the fall, organizes classwork with a young Tarrytown Scholar and says, "Seeing how happy the kids are makes me happy."

Discussing books and diagramming stories in English class.

Mentor Ben in a book discussion with Scholars in the program.

Hackley drama teacher Willie Teacher works with Hackley and Tarrytown students on theater and movement.

Mentors at movement class with their Scholars from Tarrytown.

Kenneth, an 11-year-old Sleepy Hollow student, says he enjoys the program's science classes the most and described the Hudson Scholars Program as "cool work." The program is free of charge to Tarrytown students and is now in its second year. Teachers from Washington Irving nominated the highly motivated younger students, based on their potential. Executive Director David Sykes said he founded the program as a dynamic way to benefit the Hudson Scholars, the broader community and the Hackley Mentors, and to enable the young Scholars to learn in an active and dynamic environment, and make new friends.

Ben, a Hackley mentor, and Lizbeth, a Sleepy Hollow Middle School scholar in the program, talk about their experiences.

Classes at the Hudson Scholars Program include English, where they're reading books like Eleanor Estes' "Ginger Pye" and Tony Johnston's "Any Small Goodness" ; Science, where they're building a paper roller-coaster; and Math, where they're studying probability by flipping coins and rolling dice. The Community Research class gives students a chance to study the differences of communities and to discuss communities to which they feel connected. The Leadership Identity Lab gives students a chance to talk about their interests and personal aspirations. And in drama class, they get a chance to develop their speaking and breathing skills, and play improvisation games. See the video below to check out the fun.

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