Pelham Examiner

Pelham Examiner

Pelham Examiner

Tommy Roche, Senior Editor

Tommy Roche is a student at Boston College. During the 2020-2021 school year, he was the Managing Editor/News of the Examiner, primarily covering general and school-related news.

All content by Tommy Roche
Tommy Roche

Tommy Roche’s graduation speech: Bursting the bubble of fear at PMHS

By Tommy Roche
June 30, 2021

There was a time when I would never have wanted to make this speech. I was a nervous kid growing up; I was the boy who cried at recess. Every recess. My meltdowns felt connected to this horrible feeling...

Emily Kalyvas (left) and Lucia Lavallee.

Kalyvas and Lavallee, or Lavallee and Kalyvas, are valedictorian and salutatorian of PMHS Class of 2021

By Tommy Roche, Managing Editor/News
June 21, 2021

Emily Kalyvas and Lucia Lavallee are the valedictorian and salutatorian of the Pelham Memorial High School Class of 2021, but which student achieved which honor is not being disclosed, as is the PMHS tradition....

Pelham Memorial High School

District to allow fully in-building, not in-person learning for PMHS seniors

By Tommy Roche, Managing Editor/News
April 16, 2021

Editor's Note: This district policy has since changed to allow all PMHS students to enter the building on school days beginning May 17. Superintendent of Pelham Schools Dr. Cheryl Champ announced that...

PMHS reopening plan: An ineffective, deflating compromise

PMHS ‘reopening’ plan: An ineffective, deflating compromise

By Tommy Roche, Managing Editor/News
April 12, 2021

The new reopening model for Pelham Memorial High School is deeply flawed. I have no doubt that significant time and effort went into creating this plan. However, that is not an excuse for the overly...

Update: Materials found under Prospect Hill not explosive, says Champ

Update: Materials found under Prospect Hill not explosive, says Champ

By Tommy Roche, Managing Editor/News
April 6, 2021

Materials at first suspected of being undetonated explosive material buried on the grounds of Prospect Hill School were found not to be dangerous, said Pelham Superintendent Dr. Cheryl Champ in an...

Manor candidates debate police reform, moving elections to November in campaign’s only forum (includes video of event)

By Oliver Tam and Tommy Roche
March 3, 2021

Pelham Manor mayoral and trustee candidates Tuesday debated police reform, the timing of village elections, the tax cap and environmental programs during the only event where they will face each other...

Axon Body 3 camera in demonstration.

Manor police panel members express concern over costs, tech challenges of body cams; chief doesn’t address flag debate

By Tommy Roche, Managing Editor/News
February 13, 2021

Editor's note: This story has been corrected from the original version published Feb. 12 to reflect the fact concerns about body cameras were expressed by members of the stakeholder working group, not...

PMHS shift to virtual due to positive cases, staff quarantines

PMHS shift to virtual due to positive cases, staff quarantines

By Tommy Roche, Managing Editor/News
February 11, 2021

Pelham Memorial High School students will attend classes virtually on Friday after four individuals in the building on Monday tested positive for Covid-19, according to an email from Principal Mark Berkowitz...

PMHS forbids staff from showing presidential inauguration live, citing threats of violence, reduced bell schedule

PMHS forbids staff from showing presidential inauguration live, citing threats of violence, reduced bell schedule

By Tommy Roche, Managing Editor/News
January 20, 2021

Pelham Memorial High School students attending classes in-person Wednesday will not be able to watch the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden, despite the fact that President Donald Trump’s swearing-in...

Pelham Memorial High School

Pelham Schools to close all in-person instruction in preparation for winter storm

By Tommy Roche, Managing Editor/News
December 16, 2020

The Pelham Union Free School District has reported that all in-person instruction will be closed on Thursday, advance preparation for storm heading toward the town, with the decision to either have fully...

Pelham Memorial High School

PMHS to delay re-opening of hybrid in-person instruction to Dec. 7

By Tommy Roche, Managing Editor/News
November 29, 2020

Pelham Memorial High School will continue fully remote instruction from Nov. 30 through Dec. 4 due to a staff shortage from newly discovered Covid-19 cases, according to an email sent to families by Principal...

Section One of NYSPHSAA (File Photo)

Section 1 low-risk winter sports season delayed to Jan. 4

By Tommy Roche, Managing Editor/News
November 21, 2020

The New York State Public High School Athletic Association announced that the Section 1 season for low and moderate-risk winter sports has been delayed from Nov. 30 to Jan. 4. NYSPHSAA previously delayed...

Pelham field hockey wins division title with victory over Mamaroneck

Pelham field hockey wins division title with victory over Mamaroneck

By Tommy Roche, Managing Editor/News
November 18, 2020

Pelham Memorial High School's varsity field hockey team beat Mamaroneck 3-1 to clinch the Large School Southern Westchester Division on Wednesday.

Pelham Memorial High School

Superintendent Champ changes policy for staff to bar any apparel representing political speech

By Tommy Roche, Managing Editor/News
November 12, 2020

Pelham Superintendent Dr. Cheryl Champ defined a no-tolerance policy barring staff from wearing apparel that includes any political speech and addressed community concerns related to the district's approach...

Pelham Middle School goes all remote for two weeks following Covid-19 case

Pelham Middle School goes all remote for two weeks following Covid-19 case

By Tommy Roche, Managing Editor/News
November 6, 2020

Pelham Middle School will shift to fully remote instruction until Nov. 20 following a student testing positive for Covid-19, Principal Lynn Sabia announced Friday. In an email sent to PMS parents, Sabia...

Pelham Middle School students evacuated to Ingalls Field.

[Photo] Middle schoolers sent home after secondary students held in place due to Covid-19 case

By Margot Phillips, Managing Editor/Features
November 6, 2020

Pelham Middle School students evacuated to Ingalls Field.

The Social Dilemma: Factual criticism of social nets lands home, dramatic elements dont

‘The Social Dilemma:’ Factual criticism of social nets lands home, dramatic elements don’t

By Tommy Roche, Managing Editor/News
October 29, 2020

Although the mixture of documentary and drama involved is stilted, the Netflix original "The Social Dilemma" is a must-watch title for recognizing the dangerous impact social media has on the world at...

Ex-employee of Forever 21 indicted for recording video of women in dressing rooms

Ex-employee of Forever 21 indicted for recording video of women in dressing rooms

By Tommy Roche, Managing Editor/News
October 23, 2020

An employee of Forever 21 in the Cross County Shopping Center in Yonkers used his cell phone to record illicit video of 23 women in the store's changing rooms, Westchester County District Attorney Anthony...

Mount Vernon man charged with 2nd degree murder in shooting death of former Pelham student

By Tommy Roche, Managing Editor/News
October 13, 2020

Mount Vernon resident Negus Kirton has been charged with second degree murder in the alleged shooting death of former Pelham high school student Michael Toro in May, according to a statement from the Westchester...

Lianne La Havas self-titled album is an excellent dive into quarantined soul

Lianne La Havas’ self-titled album is an excellent dive into quarantined soul

By Tommy Roche, Managing Editor/News
September 30, 2020

Lianne La Havas' self titled project, released to only moderate fanfare on July 17, is the product of five years of ruminations, recovery, and pitch-perfect recording from backup singer-turned soul artist...

Pelham Memorial High School

Superintendent Champ delays in-person school re-opening to Monday due to ‘woods’ partying

By Tommy Roche, Managing Editor/News
September 9, 2020

In an email sent to students, parents and staff, Pelham Superintendent Dr. Cheryl Champ said all in-person instruction in the Pelham Union Free School District will be delayed to Monday due to a large...

PMHS Principal Berkowitz assigns hybrid model cohorts prior to district decision on 2020-21 learning plan

PMHS Principal Berkowitz assigns hybrid model cohorts prior to district decision on 2020-21 learning plan

By Tommy Roche, Managing Editor/News
August 13, 2020

In an email sent out to all parents of PMHS students, first-year principal Mark Berkowitz and assistant principal Bethany Antonelli assigned students into two groups in preparation for a potential "hybrid"...

PMHS alumna Mina Simone seeks help following car accident

PMHS alumna Mina Simone seeks help following car accident

By Tommy Roche, Managing Editor/News
August 10, 2020

Pelham Memorial High School graduate Mina Simone was hit by a car while riding a Citi Bike on July 9. Unable to continue her job as a yoga instructor due to her injuries, and without federal Covid-19...

Superintendent Champ outlines three paths for fall: In school learning, at home or a hybrid

Superintendent Champ outlines three paths for fall: In school learning, at home or a hybrid

By Tommy Roche, Managing Editor/News
July 17, 2020

Pelham Superintendent Dr. Cheryl Champ said Friday the school district is considering three options for opening, including full in-person instruction, an expanded distance learning approach and a hybrid...

Credit: FBI

Who Pelham can honor in the wake of George Floyd

By Tommy Roche, Assistant Managing Editor
June 22, 2020

Since George Floyd’s tragic death at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer, many Pelham residents have tried hard to express the town’s opposition to systemic racism and police misconduct. An inspiring,...

PMHS graduation plans lead to concerns, appreciation for work done by administration

PMHS graduation plans lead to concerns, appreciation for work done by administration

By Tommy Roche, Assistant Managing Editor
June 12, 2020

As PMHS seniors prepare to attend their unprecedented drive-in graduation at SUNY Purchase on June 27, some students reflect on the conclusion and some previous friction between the student body and school...

Taken by Soren Bushong, Photo Editor

Pelham residents pay respects to George Floyd through Wolfs Lane Park vigil

By Tommy Roche, Assistant Managing Editor
June 2, 2020

Over 100 Pelham residents observed a candlelight vigil held for late Minneapolis resident George Floyd at Wolfs Lane Park this Monday. With more events planned ahead, and all proceeds going to civil...

Pelham Memorial High School

There’s hope yet for the College Board to survive Covid-19, but it needs to change

By Tommy Roche, Assistant Managing Editor
May 27, 2020

Like other overly concerned students, one of my immediate anxieties at the start of Covid-19 pandemic was about how national academic processes like the AP Exams could happen with social distancing guidelines....

Pelham Memorial High School

Academic testing in the age of Covid-19: Why it can’t work

By Tommy Roche, Assistant Managing Editor
March 20, 2020

With distance learning now fully underway, crucial aspects of the typical school curriculum, like tests and quizzes, have become unusable in their current state. As a result, the district is seemingly...

Pelham varsity hockey ready for rivalry matchup against Rye after heated win over North Rockland

Pelham varsity hockey ready for rivalry matchup against Rye after heated win over North Rockland

By Tommy Roche, Assistant Managing Editor
January 17, 2020

Following Tuesday's 3-2 loss against John Jay High School, the Pelham Memorial High School Varsity Hockey team hopes to achieve victory against an old rival: Rye High School. The Pelicans also won a...

The Pelhams-PLUS website, which continued after the Pelham Weekly closed, stopped publication Dec. 31.

Closure of Pelhams-PLUS leaves legacy of community and cultural support in town

By Tommy Roche, Assistant Managing Editor
January 3, 2020

After 28 years of publication, first as the print Pelham Weekly then solely as the online Pelhams-PLUS, the local news organization ended production on Dec. 31. According to readers and community leaders,...

Pelham girls volleyball clinches league title with win against Harrison

Pelham girls’ volleyball clinches league title with win against Harrison

By Tommy Roche, Assistant Managing Editor
October 18, 2019

After a 16 game regular season, the Pelham girls varsity volleyball team won a 2019 league title following their recent win over Harrison. The team went 5-1 in league play, tying for the league title with...

Pelham Manor Mayor Lapey

Pelham Manor Mayor Lapey responds to journalist’s analysis of merging village services

By Tommy Roche, Staff Reporter
May 30, 2019

An analysis by David Joachim of Bloomberg News suggests that combining services of the Village of Pelham and Village of Pelham Manor may moderately reduce costs and taxes. Despite the proposed benefits,...

Polenzani performs on the operatic stage

Opera singer Matthew Polenzani of Pelham brings balance to the stage life

By Tommy Roche and Margot Phillips
March 26, 2019

Matthew Polenzani thought he would end up teaching high school chorus, not singing in the top opera houses of the world. Polenzani, a Pelhamite, is an independent opera singer well known for his performances...

Assemblymember Amy Paulin (D).

Amazon withdrew because of tensions within state government, says Paulin

By Tommy Roche, Staff Reporter
February 21, 2019

Amazon.com Inc.'s decision to withdraw its plans for a secondary headquarters in Long Island City, Queens, was primarily due to tension within the Public Authorities Control Board (PACB), a five-person...

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