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Annual New Rochelle Fund for Educational Excellence Gala a Success for CSDNR Students

The 23rd Annual New Rochelle Fund for Educational Excellence drew nearly 300 supporters of City School District of New Rochelle students for an evening of fun and celebration at the Surf Club on the Sound in New Rochelle on February 1. 

The NR Fund supports important enrichment programs for students, including SAT and ACT preparation courses, the annual Poetry Out Loud celebration of student poetry, the Black History Month celebration, grants to schools, field trips, youth conferences, the Museum of Art and Culture, and much more. This year, the NR Fund announced a new chess program for elementary schools beginning this spring. 

Among this year’s gala honorees was NRHS Alumnus Josiah “JoJo” Gray from the class of 2015, who is now a pitcher with the Washington Nationals baseball team. He is the son of CSDNR Human Resources team member Monica Gray (both pictured).

In addition to JoJo Gray, Jill Ostrager Cohen, MD, of Band of Parents and Westmed in New Rochelle; and John Reverol of Cafetero Coffee Company were also honored.  

The following NRHS students were awarded $1,000 each for their excellence: Ariel Esposito, Jocelyn Jimenez, Micaela Waterston, and Veronica Yu (pictured below). 

“The NR Fund is the icing on the cake that is our wonderful school district,” said NR Fund Board co-chair Laurie Forkas. “We are grateful to our wonderful supporters, and we invite all parents to get involved to help support our programs.”