Announcing the Scarsdale SPOTLIGHT AWARD Honoree:
Scarsdale Adult School

For the third year, the Bowl Committee also selected a Spotlight Award winner. As opposed to the depth and breadth required of the Bowl winner, the Spotlight Award recognizes meaningful contributions in a specific area or a problem solved after focused effort.
Bowl Co-chair Cynthia Samwick noted, “The Scarsdale Adult School has long been a cornerstone of our community, fostering lifelong learning and personal growth for residents of all ages. Their tireless efforts to provide outstanding educational opportunities, innovative programming, and a welcoming environment exemplify what makes Scarsdale so special. We are honored to shine a spotlight on this remarkable organization and its ongoing commitment to inspiring and enriching our community.”
The Bowl Committee requested suggestions of individuals and organizations alike from the community and reviewed many worthy nominations before voting Scarsdale Adult School to be the 2025 recipient of the Spotlight Award in recognition of their ongoing commitment to life-long learning through their widespread educational offerings. Scarsdale Adult School director Jill Serling was likewise thrilled to learn of the award when Bowl committee members surprised her at her home with the news on Sunday night. In fact, Serling was out of town, but received the news through her Ring doorbell and enthusiastically greeted the Bowl committee to hear of the recognition.
“I am humbled and overjoyed with the news that Scarsdale Adult School (SAS) has been awarded the Spotlight Award,” said Scarsdale Adult School Director, Jill Serling. Our success in serving our mission in service of our community of lifelong learners is truly a collective effort thanks to our amazing staff, board, advisory committee members, instructors, and students. This year’s Spotlight Award is a wonderful example of two Scarsdale institutions supporting each other in furtherance of education."
Established in 1938, the Scarsdale Adult School is an independent, not-for-profit organization chartered by the New York State Board of Regents. It launched that year with 10 classes as an evening program; its original classes were ahead of its time- including courses in finance for women. Today, the Scarsdale Adult School is a unique Scarsdale fixture, which offers continuing education and a wide range of enrichment curriculum for lifelong learning for any adult regardless of residence. The SAS serves thousands of individual students a year - filling close to ten thousand seats annually. For courses, there is a wide choice of intellectually stimulating, recreational, and skill-enhancing courses and lectures. Tuition is kept to a minimum which allows all to participate regardless of financial ability. From another community financial angle, SAS partners with other local organizations. In addition, it also rents space across various Scarsdale institutions which supports the community’s financial wellbeing.
Anne Lyons, President of the Scarsdale Foundation said, “Every year, the Scarsdale Foundation and the Scarsdale Bowl Committee seek to celebrate the spirit of volunteerism and generosity that make our community so special by honoring those who exemplify those ideals. The Scarsdale Adult School has been a fixture in the Scarsdale community for 87 years attracting thousands of lifelong learners to partake in their impressive course selection thanks to the efforts of many dedicated community volunteers.”
Bowl Co-chair Cynthia Samwick noted, “The Scarsdale Adult School has long been a cornerstone of our community, fostering lifelong learning and personal growth for residents of all ages. Their tireless efforts to provide outstanding educational opportunities, innovative programming, and a welcoming environment exemplify what makes Scarsdale so special. We are honored to shine a spotlight on this remarkable organization and its ongoing commitment to inspiring and enriching our community.”
The Bowl Committee requested suggestions of individuals and organizations alike from the community and reviewed many worthy nominations before voting Scarsdale Adult School to be the 2025 recipient of the Spotlight Award in recognition of their ongoing commitment to life-long learning through their widespread educational offerings. Scarsdale Adult School director Jill Serling was likewise thrilled to learn of the award when Bowl committee members surprised her at her home with the news on Sunday night. In fact, Serling was out of town, but received the news through her Ring doorbell and enthusiastically greeted the Bowl committee to hear of the recognition.
“I am humbled and overjoyed with the news that Scarsdale Adult School (SAS) has been awarded the Spotlight Award,” said Scarsdale Adult School Director, Jill Serling. Our success in serving our mission in service of our community of lifelong learners is truly a collective effort thanks to our amazing staff, board, advisory committee members, instructors, and students. This year’s Spotlight Award is a wonderful example of two Scarsdale institutions supporting each other in furtherance of education."
Established in 1938, the Scarsdale Adult School is an independent, not-for-profit organization chartered by the New York State Board of Regents. It launched that year with 10 classes as an evening program; its original classes were ahead of its time- including courses in finance for women. Today, the Scarsdale Adult School is a unique Scarsdale fixture, which offers continuing education and a wide range of enrichment curriculum for lifelong learning for any adult regardless of residence. The SAS serves thousands of individual students a year - filling close to ten thousand seats annually. For courses, there is a wide choice of intellectually stimulating, recreational, and skill-enhancing courses and lectures. Tuition is kept to a minimum which allows all to participate regardless of financial ability. From another community financial angle, SAS partners with other local organizations. In addition, it also rents space across various Scarsdale institutions which supports the community’s financial wellbeing.
Anne Lyons, President of the Scarsdale Foundation said, “Every year, the Scarsdale Foundation and the Scarsdale Bowl Committee seek to celebrate the spirit of volunteerism and generosity that make our community so special by honoring those who exemplify those ideals. The Scarsdale Adult School has been a fixture in the Scarsdale community for 87 years attracting thousands of lifelong learners to partake in their impressive course selection thanks to the efforts of many dedicated community volunteers.”