The UFT District 11 Scholarship Dinner is “a feel-good event, celebrating our members and most important, our students,” said Christine O’Callaghan of PS 106, a Judy Hall Chapter Leader Award winner along with Anell Veras of PS 153. “There’s nothing else attached to it. It’s not political; it’s just people coming together for a good cause and a good time.” More than 600 people packed the Villa Barone Manor in the Bronx on May 8 for the third annual installment, featuring dinner, dancing, awards and 52 raffle baskets. The honorees included two 5th-graders, from PS 76 and PS 160; two 8th-graders, from MS 462 and MS 180; Rookie of the Year teachers Jake Ehrlich of PS 106 and Jonathan Alicea of MS 462; and school counselors Stephanie Loretta of PS 83 and Diane Kabinoff of MS 181. “I’m always amazed,” said Alice Cooper-Jackson, the UFT’s district representative who headed the organizing committee. “The support we get from the entire school community is unbelievable.” O’Callaghan wasn’t surprised. “Alice promotes such great camaraderie in our district,” she said.
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Maria R. Bastone
Members from PS 106 vie for the award as the best cheering section.