Peekskill City School District Centennial Gala

April 12th, 2024

The Peekskill City School District Centennial Gala, celebrating 100 years of Peekskill Pride was held at The Factoria at Charles Point. The evening kicked off with a cocktail hour that had student docents sharing 100 years of artifacts with guests while the musical styling of Larry Del Casale (Peekskill High School Choral Teacher & Latin Grammy Nominee) accompanied by PHS alumni vocalist Ms. Kathryn Czerwinski were enjoyed.
The Peekskill Education Foundation hosted a Silent Auction and 50/50 Raffle during the cocktail hour and dinner, featuring 14 items donated by amazing local sponsors and businesses.

View the PCSD’s Facebook post of Photos HERE

Welcome Greetings & Dinner

The evening moved into the dining room where the hosts for the evening, Dr. Jenna Ferris, PHS Principal, and Dr. Margie Daniels, Administrator for Diversity Equity & Inclusion, introduced the evening. Board of Education President, Branwen MacDonald greeted the room, as did Peekskill Education Foundation President Meghan Sheldon-Brungard. Mrs. Sheldon-Brungard remarked that when she writes a letter to each of the PEFs’ annual Judith Johnson Memorial Scholarship winners that it says “We wish you the best of luck in all you undertake, and we look forward to the day we can proudly brag that you are a PCSD success story.” And that the room in front of her that evening was that idea personified, through the outstanding accomplishments and lives of all the alumni honorees and community members.

A video presentation with photos from throughout the past century was followed by Superintendent Dr. David Mauricio welcoming the gathered honorees and guests.

A Proclamation

Westchester County Legislator Colin Smith had the honor to present a Proclamation from the NYS Senator Pete Harkham: Recognizing the Peekskill City School District for it’s 100 years of exemplary service in eduction. The proclamation was on display within the gallery for the evening, and now resides at the Peekskill City School District Administration Building.

Presentation of HOnorees

Each of the evenings Honorees was presented their award in recognition for their contribution to the Peekskill City School District and the greater Peekskill community. The honorees were given time to speak about themselves, their time in Peekskill, and their lives; many of the alumni honorees reflected on their happy memories of their days as students here.

Funding the Future

By the end of a very lovely evening where DJ “Pete” Peterson had the crowd dancing, the PEF announced that-

the Centennial Scholarship Fund had exceeded $25,000!

The Silent Auction items raised almost $4,500, and the 50/50 Raffle added another $585 to the total for the Fund, and the raffle winner keeping the same!

Thank you to all of the Honorees, Peekskill City School District members who helped put the night together, and attended, and to our sponors and donors for making it not only a wonderful tribute to the past 100 years, but looking forward to the next 100 years of success to come.