Hello Kris,

April is National Volunteer Month and our Executive Director, Sam Wallis, asked me to share this message with you:

Over the last few years YPIE has been part of the Aspen Institute’s Weave Project, which is dedicated to rebuilding - or weaving - social trust and bridging

America’s divides. I always think about your volunteer service as

a part of that bridging. Whenever I see a volunteer working with a student

on a physics question or on a college essay, I see “weaving” in action.

While the political and economic landscape is quite fraught, your connections

with students are what inspire me to believe the gap can be bridged.

Thank you.

YPIE’s robotics team, Cybears (Team 9509), will be competing in their second NYC Regional FIRST Robotics Competition at the Armory (Fort Washington Avenue between 168th and 169th Streets, Manhattan) this weekend (April 5-6, 2025). The event is open to the public - bring your family and friends to support our students!

Ian Cavalluzzi, Riverside High School senior and YPIE Regeneron Science Research Scholar, won the grand prize at the Westchester Science & Engineering Fair (WESEF)!  Ian was selected as one of only 20 students who will compete in May at the Regeneron International Science & Engineering Fair (ISEF), the world’s largest international STEM research competition for high school students!  Ian’s research focuses on fine-tuning OpenAI's Whisper ASR Model to improve speech recognition for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

The complete list of YPIE students who were recognized at WESEF:

• Ian Cavalluzzi: IBM Visionary Engineering Award, 1st Place Computer Science and WESEF Finalist
• Jayce Gurciullo and Kium Hwangbo: $150 for the Leason Ellis Best Team Project Award
• Kaylie Troncoso and Stephanie Barros: $200 for the Creative Approach to Research Award
• Maryam Aamir: 4th place in Biochemistry category

It is officially spring and there are so many great things happening at YPIE!  Please check out the calendar below and let me know if you need any additional information.

Thank you!

Stacy Winitt

Senior Director, Strategic Partnerships



UPCOMING EVENTS

IMPACT UPDATE & EDUCATION CONVERSATION

Join our Executive Director, Sam Wallis, to learn about our most recent data for college graduation and enrollment data, organizational updates, and highlights about the current educational landscape. Please RSVP here to let us know which day you plan to attend.

• April 22nd, 10:00am-11:30am (in person at YPIE College Zone, Yonkers)
• April 23rd, 12:00pm-1:00pm (via Zoom)

TRANSITION TO COLLEGE

Workshop for 12th Grade Graduation Coaches focused on ways to support Scholars in their transition from high school to college.

• April 22nd, 3:00pm-4:00pm (via Zoom)
• May 1st, 12:00-1:00pm (via Zoom)

GRATITUDE CELEBRATION

Join us for our annual event celebrating the impact and dedication of our volunteers and partners, hosted by Cross County Center.  An RSVP form will be shared next month.

• June 12th from 5:00pm-7:00pm

YPIE STUDENT SPRING EVENTS OPEN TO ALL VOLUNTEERS

Please use the End of Year Events RSVP form to let us know if you plan to attend any of these events:

• Majors Showcase, Jersey City - May 21st, 3:30pm-5:30pm
• Majors Showcase, Yonkers - May 22nd, 3:30pm-5:30pm
• Scholars present their work in YPIE Majors completed throughout the year. Guests provide feedback as students prepare for YPIECON.

• Science Research Symposium, Yonkers - May 28th, 5:30pm-7:00pm
• YPIE Regeneron Science Research Scholars showcase their in-depth science research projects

• YPIECON, NYC (47 W 34th Street) - May 31st, 12:00pm-2:00pm
• Jersey City and Yonkers Scholars present their work at the first annual YPIE National Scholars Convention hosted by Mercy University. Guests serve as judges.

• YPIE College Signing Celebration, Yonkers - May 29th from 4:30pm - 5:30pm
• Join our 12th grade students as they celebrate their college decisions and sign YPIE’s famous commitment wall.

Please see the YPIE Volunteer calendar at ypie.org/ypievolunteer



STUDENT ANNOUNCEMENTS

STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES DATABASE

YPIE has a searchable Student Opportunities Database with opportunities for students to volunteer, learn, or expand knowledge of different careers outside of school.

APRIL AT THE COLLEGE ZONE

Here’s the April YPIE Family Newsletter that includes the calendar of events at the Zone.

VOLUNTEER ANNOUNCEMENTS

SCIENCE RESEARCH VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY

• What: We are having two "Practice Presentation Parties" for our YPIE Science Research Sophomores!
• When:  May 9th from 4:00pm - 5:30pm OR May 21st from 4:00pm - 5:30pm
• Where: In-person at the YPIE College Zone (92 Main Street)
• Details: Listen to a few student presentations (as many as you'd like) in a one-on-one poster session format and provide feedback to the students. Very low-stakes, conversational and fun, plus there’ll be snacks!  If you are interested and available to attend, please call/text/email Jake Schofield (914-523-7794, JSchofield@ypie.org).

SUPPORTING YPIE IS AS EASY AS BUYING GROCERIES!

The Decicco & Sons Local School Rebate Program donates 1% of your purchase to YPIE when you link us to your store card.  Decicco & Sons has store locations in Ardsley, Armonk, Bedford, Brewster, Eastchester, Harrison, Larchmont, Millwood, Pelham and Somers.

GRADUATION COACH REMINDERS 

Graduation Coaches should submit one monthly update during the last week of each month.  If you did not submit an update for March, please do so ASAP.

ESSAY COACH REMINDERS

The Spring Season launched on April 1, 2025.  Please check your email for weekly updates from me.

YONKERS SCHOOL VISITS

Yonkers Essay Coaches and Graduation Coaches can meet with students at school during their lunch/free periods. Please read and adhere to the YPIE Volunteer School Visit Policy, schedule your visits on days when YPIE staff will be at the schools, and email them in advance to let them know your plans.

Please review this contact list for YPIE staff and ensure that you plan your meeting for a day when YPIE staff are in the school building.

• Please note that our staff at Gorton, Obama, Riverside, Roosevelt, and Yonkers Montessori Academy split their time between two locations, so they are not available each day.  

MEETING AT YPIE COLLEGE ZONE

If you plan to meet your student at the College Zone in Yonkers or Jersey City, please email me at least one business day in advance with the date, time, and name of your student. I’ll add your meeting to the calendar and confirm with you.



VOLUNTEER RESOURCES

March 2025 Essay Coach Workshop recording and presentation

March 2025 Volunteer Newsletter

February 2025 Volunteer Newsletter

February 2025 Summer Opportunities Workshop recording and presentation

January 2025 Volunteer Newsletter

YPIE Volunteer Handbook

Essay Coach Playbook

Graduation Coach Playbook

Thanks for reading all the way to the end!