Celebrating 200 Years of Educating
New York's Deaf Children
New York School for the Deaf and its Board of Trustees celebrated at their milestone 200th Anniversary
celebration with the Black and White Gala on Thursday, October 5, 2017, at the Tappan Hill Mansion in
Tarrytown, NY.
Oscar winner, Marlee Matlin, Honorary Chair, of the event created excitement throughout the evening and
welcomed almost 300 esteemed guest, friends, and supporters. The special honorees for the evening were
Andrew S. Roffe of New York City and Tina Jo Breindel of San Diego. Andrew, a partner at Robinson &
Cole, LLP, is a former member of the Board of Trustees, and longtime supporter and friend of the School. Tina
Jo is an alumna of the Class of 1975 and a nationally known publisher of literature in the field of Deaf
Education and Culture.
The event was attended by many local officials, Senator Andrea Stewart Cousins, and Members of the
Assembly Tom Abinanti, Shelly Mayer, Steve Otis, and Amy Paulin, Brian Hegt from Governor Cuomo's
Regional Office.
Linda Bove, affectionately known by many as Linda the Librarian on Sesame Street for thirty years and a
longtime Board Member, served as Emcee and Auctioneer Extraordinaire. The auction interested many
attendees, and the highest bidders went home with vacations, plane tickets, portraits, and outstanding
artwork from a well known deaf artist.
Alexis Kashar, Board President and a resident of Scarsdale, commended Dixie DeLuca, Trustee and Event
Chair, for her vision for the gala and expressed appreciation to the School's supporters. "Our Board is dedicated
to ensuring that our students are prepared for the 21st Century. Under the direction of our new Superintendent,
Dr. Bradley Porche', and the community's continued support, we can accomplish this mission."
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