We enjoyed catching up with a number of Alumni this spring. Here are their updates. To share your alumni news for future editions, click here.

1990’s

Samantha Elisofon ’99 is a sought after paid speaker on overcoming autism in numerous corporate and educational venues as well as to autistic young adults in the Czech Republic by way of example. She was in Pace University’s publication of its top 30 graduates under 30, and has spoken twice for autism acceptance at the United Nations. She was even invited to ring the opening bell for the New York Stock Exchange!

On June 21 she is performing a one-woman show at Triad, a west side theater in New York City. Samatha invites the Parkside community to attend or to stream the show live from THIS LINK.

2000’s

Amanda Kauftheil ’02 has been living in her own apartment since 2020, and enjoys having friends that she sees very often. She joined a Special Olympics basketball team, and also likes Zumba and Yoga. She has been taking art classes, and is showing her work on her own website, www.amandakauftheil.com.

Pilar Muhammad ’07, after graduating from Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Connecticut, went on to spend two years working as a case manager for The Connection Inc. in New Haven, Connecticut. It is a nonprofit agency that serves multiple populations including formerly incarcerated individuals. Pilar worked with men who needed housing and mental health services as part of their reentry into society. She is now studying for her masters degree in social work at Fordham University, and hopes to become a licensed clinical social worker. Pilar’s mom, Lisa Redd, shared two images of work Pilar did while she was at Parkside to illustrate how inspirational Parkside’s learning activities can be.

Isabel Singer ’07 attended The Summit School after leaving Parkside, then went on to attend Sarah Lawrence College. Today, she is working on an MFA in Illustration at the Fashion Institute of Technology, with an expected graduation date of 2024.

Dante Panora ’09 is currently part of an Americorps subdivision called NYC Civic Corps, where members work at various non-profit organization around New York City. He says, “I am stationed at the Volunteer Services Department of Sunnyside Community Services, where I reach out to and respond to people who wish to volunteer for community service for the people of Western Queens. I plan to join the NYC Vista Corps when my year-long term is up, and get involved in local government departments responsible for housing and economic development. After a year long-term in that division of Americorps, I believe I will have many more career opportunities in New York City government or non-profits that I qualify for. I may also attend graduate school part-time with my educational award from Americorps to further specialize my Urban Planning and Policy education.” After finishing high school at Summit, Dante graduated from Hunter College with Urban Planning and Policy as his major, and Geography as his minor.

2010’s

Julia Green ’10 is a current first-year student at Emory University. After finishing a gap year consisting of working primarily as a lifeguard, swim instructor and learning coach, she was eager to start her first year at Emory. Highlights of college so far have included joining a Jewish acapella group (the ChaiTunes), getting a lead role in Eurydice, loving Atlanta’s weather, making new friends, and enjoying the academic challenges of Emory’s coursework. She even became Tik-Tok famous when one of her hilarious videos got over 3 million views! Julia remains a musical theater aficionado, scoring tickets for Hamilton in Atlanta and the revival of Company on Broadway.

Nick Roker ’14 recently learned that he got accepted to two colleges! His parents, Al Roker and Deborah Roberts, shared a video of the moment on Instagram. Check it out. Congratulations, Nick!

Jack Gallagher ’15 attained the status of Eagle Scout in Troop 1 in New York City. He’ll be attending an international scout center for more than two weeks this summer in Kandersteg, Switzerland. Jack was accepted to SUNY Oswego for the fall of 2022, where he plans to be a Computer and Electrical Engineering major.

Maude Lehmann ’15 was accepted by Vassar for Early Decision! Her parents said “Please tell the Parkside crew who taught Maude and helped her make so much progress that we are so grateful and happy for the hard work and creativity that went into her education. Parkside is such an extraordinary place and we are so grateful Maude was there.” Maude will be serving as Parkside’s Graduation Speaker on June 16th, and will be giving a speech to the Class of 2022.

Austin Lambert ’17 was recently inducted into the Honor Code at Summit! He will be going on a Teen Tour at the end of June, and then to a program in Amherst, MA called the Great Jewish Books Summer Program. In the fall, he’s looking forward to taking the SATs and begin preparing for college.

2020’s

Rose Green ’20 wrote to say “I will be going to 8th grade at Summit School in the fall, after completing 2 years of middle school at the Aaron School. I’m excited for my first summer at Round Lake, which is an inclusion program. I love making TikToks, collecting Mini Brands, and of course- socializing with friends. My twin brother, Harry and I celebrated our b’nai mitzvah this past December and I “knocked everyone’s socks off” with my Hebrew chanting! I hope all of my Parkside friends and teachers are doing great!”

*Rose Green ‘20 (center), with fellow Parkside alums* Heather Strohl ’16 (left) and Lauren Gage ’16 (right)

Bella Marketos ’20 wrote to Ms. Miller and Ms. Thorne to say she misses Parkside, but she really likes it at Summit and is learning so much. She is in 7th Grade and will be turning 13 soon. She is looking forward to Parkside’s next in-person alumni party!

Olivia Renta ’20 went to The Community School after graduating from Parkside. She says, “I’ve been doing well in my classes. I enjoy art, and next year I will graduate. Hopefully I will find a high school that will be just as great as Parkside and Community.” After leaving Parkside, Olivia learned how to play the guitar, and likes playing Animal Crossing on her Switch after school and on weekends in her spare time.

Estela Helguera Tegeder ’21 is close to completing her first year at The Summit School in Queens, and recently performed in her first ballet at the Tribeca Performing Arts Center. She misses all her friends, therapists and teachers from Parkside.