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Pelham Examiner

Pelham Examiner

Pelham Examiner

Kira Findikyan, Assistant Managing Editor

Kira is a senior at Pelham Memorial High School and in her seventh year of writing for the Pelham Examiner. She loves reading and wrote previously for the Colonial Times and The News of Pelham. Kira enjoys playing soccer and is a self-proclaimed mac and cheese connoisseur.

All content by Kira Findikyan
Parents wait to pick up students after Pelham Middle School closes.

[Photo] PMS evacuated after burst pipe closes school; parents wait in long line to pick up students

By Nate Reynoso, Social Media Editor
December 16, 2024

Parents wait to pick up students after Pelham Middle School closes.

Kate Douglass bests her own 200m breaststroke world record at World Championships

Kate Douglass bests her own 200m breaststroke world record at World Championships

By Kira Findikyan, Assistant Managing Editor
December 13, 2024

Kate Douglass' strong performances continued at the 2024 Short Course National Championship in Budapest, Hungary, as she beat her own 200-meter short course world record on Friday. With a time of 2:12.50,...

One of Kate Douglass's fans poses with her for a keepsake photo. Douglass took pictures with a line of attendees that wrapped around the theater.

Kate Douglass brings her golden Olympic perspective and photo ops to hometown fans at Picture House

By Kira Findikyan, Assistant Managing Editor
November 21, 2024

Pelhamites of all ages packed the Picture House on Tuesday to give a smiling Kate Douglass a standing ovation as she made her way to the stage. Douglass was there to talk to her hometown crowd about...

Motorcycle accident at corner of Wolfs Lane and Colonial Avenue leaves one injured

Motorcycle accident at corner of Wolfs Lane and Colonial Avenue leaves one injured

By Kira Findikyan, Assistant Managing Editor
September 21, 2024

A motorcycle accident occurred Saturday at the corner of Wolfs Lane and Colonial Avenue, leaving one person injured. Though the details of the accident were unclear, it happened four blocks from the...

The closed gas station at 163 Wolfs Lane after the owners had underground tanks removed.

Developer of apartment building proposed for 163 Wolfs Lane allows village approval to lapse

By Kira Findikyan, Assistant Managing Editor
June 13, 2024

The Village of Pelham's approval for the construction of a 27-unit apartment building at 163 Wolfs Lane has expired, according to Jim Morris, assistant building inspector. No building permits were...

Snapshot: PMHS varsity rugby defeats national No. 2 Xavier

Snapshot: PMHS varsity rugby defeats national No. 2 Xavier

By Kira Findikyan, Business Editor
April 16, 2024

The PMHS varsity rugby team defeated national No. 2 Xavier High School 20-14 at Glover Field on Sunday. The last time the two met was in the 2023 New York State high school final. In the 10 years...

National Teacher of the Year tells Pelham faculty how 'One Good Thing' changes everything

National Teacher of the Year tells Pelham faculty how ‘One Good Thing’ changes everything

By Kira Findikyan, Business Editor
March 21, 2024

To kick off the superintendent's conference day Friday with an uplifting address, Superintendent Dr. Cheryl Champ welcomed Rebecka Peterson, the 2023 National Teacher of the Year, to speak to the district's...

Track: Pelham boys 4 x 200 relay team breaks school record AGAIN

Track: Pelham boys 4 x 200 relay team breaks school record AGAIN

By Kira Findikyan, Business Editor
December 21, 2023

PMHS seniors Kyle Chang, Kristian Howell, Nick Massaregli and junior Manny Idowu competed on Wednesday and broke their 4 x 200 school record set Dec. 9. During the Section 1 Challenge track meet at...

Track: Pelham boys 4 x 200 meter relay team breaks 11-year-old school record

Track: Pelham boys 4 x 200 meter relay team breaks 11-year-old school record

By Kira Findikyan, Business Editor
December 20, 2023

The PMHS boys 4 x 200 meter relay team broke an 11-year-old school record at the Jim Mitchell Invitational track meet at the Armory in the Bronx. The team is comprised of seniors Kyle Chang, Kristian...

Foto Feature: EcoPel and friends pull 9 shopping carts, 2 bikes, 1 wheelchair, other trash from Hutchinson River

Foto Feature: EcoPel and friends pull 9 shopping carts, 2 bikes, 1 wheelchair, other trash from Hutchinson River

By Kira Findikyan, Business Editor
October 24, 2023

Despite the rainy conditions, the Environmental Coalition of the Pelhams (EcoPel) and the Hutchinson River Restoration Project came together to pull trash out of the Hutchinson River and along its banks...

Astronaut Leland Melvin tells students how he chased space—and how they can too

Astronaut Leland Melvin tells students how he chased space—and how they can too

By Kira Findikyan, Business Editor
October 18, 2023

Astronaut and former NFL wide receiver Leland Melvin visited middle and high school students and community members in the Pelham Memorial High School auditorium Oct. 3, kicking off the school district's...

'Red, White & Royal Blue:' Cute and refreshing film that stays true to book

‘Red, White & Royal Blue:’ Cute and refreshing film that stays true to book

By Kira Findikyan, Business Editor
August 28, 2023

"Red, White & Royal Blue" was written and released by Casey Mcquiston in 2019. The book exploded in popularity thanks to Tiktok, and the movie was announced shortly thereafter. "Red, White &...

PMHS's Ava Karame to attend Girls 15U USA Hockey Development Camp this summer

PMHS’s Ava Karame to attend Girls 15U USA Hockey Development Camp this summer

By Kira Findikyan, Business Editor
June 29, 2023

PMHS sophomore Ava Karame will head to the Girls 15U USA Hockey Development Camp on July 10 after being selected for the national program in May. This past year, Karame was the only girl on the PMHS JV...

Hole outside CVS.

Four Corners CVS remains closed as water line is repaired; other businesses expected to open Tuesday

By Gabby Ahitow and Kira Findikyan
June 20, 2023

The CVS at Four Corners will remain closed while the water line that feeds the property's fire suppression system is repaired, according to an announcement from the Village of Pelham Manor at 7:20 p.m....

PCRA girls varsity four wins state rowing championship, heads to nationals

PCRA girls varsity four wins state rowing championship, heads to nationals

By Kira Findikyan, Business Editor
May 19, 2023

The Pelham Community Rowing Association girls varsity four crew won first at the New York State Scholastic Championships in Saratoga Springs over weekend. In the boat were three Pelham Memorial High...

State Dept.'s new Welcome Corps creates additional pathway for Hearts and Homes to offer its experience aiding refugees

State Dept.’s new Welcome Corps creates additional pathway for Hearts and Homes to offer its experience aiding refugees

By Kira Findikyan, Business Editor
May 5, 2023

When the new Welcome Corps was created by the U.S. State Department, it opened up a pathway for experienced organizations like Pelham-based Hearts and Homes for Refugees to teach private citizens how...

Fairway converts to ShopRite: Locals' opinions and what's to come

Fairway converts to ShopRite: Locals’ opinions and what’s to come

By Kira Findikyan, Business Editor
September 28, 2022

The ShopRite that replaced the Fairway Market in Pelham Manor after renovations is getting mixed reviews from customers, with some saying the grocery store is more like a typical ShopRite. Kelly...

The Pelham Memorial High School/Pelham Middle School campus.

Residents criticize administrators, suggest changes after Nov. 1 emails on threats caused students to flee PMHS

During the past week, parents and students have voiced criticisms and suggestions for change in the wake of an online post by a student that others perceived to be threatening and several unrelated incidents...

Foto Feature: What did people want? Some NORMAL fun. They return to pack stands as PMHS football wins

Foto Feature: What did people want? Some NORMAL fun. They return to pack stands as PMHS football wins

By Cristina Stefanizzi and Kira Findikyan
September 11, 2021

The PMHS football team beat Sleepy Hollow 27-0 in its first game of the season Friday night—and the first game with all the fans in the stands in more than a year. Supporters packed the bleachers...

Foto Feature: Stacks of household items destroyed by Hurricane Ida's flooding line Pelham's streets

Foto Feature: Stacks of household items destroyed by Hurricane Ida’s flooding line Pelham’s streets

By Kira Findikyan, Profiles Editor
September 7, 2021

The Village of Pelham and Village of Pelham Manor issued announcements on applying for federal aid after a major disaster declaration was issued for Westchester County.

Playwright and poet Jennifer O'Grady, who lives in Pelham.

Pelham playwright-poet Jennifer O’Grady’s ‘Fridge’ selected for Australian festival, also to be published

By Kira Findikyan, Reporter
March 12, 2021

Pelham resident Jennifer O'Grady, a poet and playwright, has continued to enjoy success during the time of Covid-19, though some of it might not be in the most traditional fashion. Her play "Fridge"...

Jump Dance Center in better days before Covid-19 forced it to close.

Beloved studio Jump Dance closes, another victim of Covid-19 (includes slideshow)

By Kira Findikyan, Staff Reporter
January 7, 2021

When Lisa Greco took over the one-room dance studio at 139 Wolfs Lane in 2005, she was determined to make programming changes to the business she had purchased from its previous owners. Over 15 years,...

Running out of new releases? Watch ‘The Theory of Everything’ with Eddie Redmayne as Stephen Hawking

By Kira Findikyan, Staff Reporter
October 16, 2020

If you've exhausted your list of Covid new releases, spend an evening watching Eddie Redmayne's excellent performance as the brilliant physicist Stephen Hawking in "The Theory of Everything." The 2014...

Foto Feature: First days of middle school

Foto Feature: First days of middle school

By Kira Findikyan, Staff Reporter
September 15, 2020

If you have pictures of first day of school from the elementary schools that we can publish, please send them to [email protected].

Got an opinion on three school opening plans? So do students (anyone can vote in our poll)

Got an opinion on three school opening plans? So do students (anyone can vote in our poll)

By Kira Findikyan, Staff Reporter
August 5, 2020

Like the months before it, this summer is different from any other, down to the questions people are asking. Not, what's your schedule? Or, who's your teacher? But more like, are we going back to school?...

Mattel creates Thank You Heroes toy line of frontliners—donates some of profits

Mattel creates Thank You Heroes toy line of frontliners—donates some of profits

By Kira Findikyan, Staff Reporter
June 11, 2020

Toy manufacturing giant Mattel joined the fight against Covid-19 by doing what it does best: Rolling out a special edition Thank You Heroes toy campaign to introduce kids to the heroes on the frontlines. Matt...

Students taught to anchor away from stress in free mindfulness and movement classes

Students taught to anchor away from stress in free mindfulness and movement classes

By Kira Findikyan, Reporter
April 30, 2020

Breath. Anchor yourself away from stress. From distraction. That's one of the ideas behind online mindfulness and movement classes being offered for free to Pelham middle and high school students by...

Quarantine countdown Vol. 2: Best TV shows to watch while stuck in your home

Quarantine countdown Vol. 2: Best TV shows to watch while stuck in your home

Wow, we're impressed! We cannot believe that you watched ALL the movies that we recommended in our first article. Give yourself a pat on the back. However, it's understandable to be craving something longer...

Quarantine countdown: Must-watch movies while stuck in your home

Quarantine countdown: Must-watch movies while stuck in your home

During your time in quarantine, it might become increasingly harder to occupy yourself with something to do as your choices are limited to the confines of your home. With your normal, habitual routine...

Armenian people still living in containers after 1988 earthquake; children's center provides hope

Armenian people still living in containers after 1988 earthquake; children’s center provides hope

By Kira Findikyan and Julia Findikyan
July 3, 2019

GYUMRI, Armenia - On December 7, 1988 at 11:41 a.m. disaster struck the second largest city in Armenia. In less than a minute, an earthquake measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale killed 25,000 people, trapped...

High school's Sock 'n' Buskin' troupe will perform 'Mamma Mia' this weekend

High school’s Sock ‘n’ Buskin’ troupe will perform ‘Mamma Mia’ this weekend

By Kira Findikyan, Staff Reporter
March 15, 2019

The Pelham Memorial High School theater troupe Sock 'n' Buskin' will perform "Mamma Mia" Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The musical tells of a young woman’s quest to discover the identity of her father...

Fom left, Michael Greco, Bryan Sutorius, Nick Parisi, Joseph Vitarello, Elia Clemente, Don Swartout.

Pelham Manor firehouse collects 600 Toys for Tots, breaking record

By Kira Findikyan, Staff Reporter
December 20, 2018

Pelham Manor firemen are going to make at least 600 kids very happy this Christmas. The Toys for Tots drive run by the Pelham Manor Career Firefighters Benevolent Association collected 600 toys (and...

Thanksgiving in a Box sends out 880 holiday meals, beating goal

Thanksgiving in a Box sends out 880 holiday meals, beating goal

By Kira Findikyan, Staff Reporter
November 28, 2018

A Pelham interfaith group put together Thanksgiving meals for 880 Westchester families through the Thanksgiving in a Box program, exceeding its goal for this holiday season of 800. The group included...

The inside story on Novel Night: hosts who make 30 themed dinners happen

The inside story on Novel Night: hosts who make 30 themed dinners happen

By Kira Findikyan, Staff Reporter
October 23, 2018

Since 1994, Novel Night has been an exciting and eventful night for many Pelham residents. Hosting a Novel Night dinner is the critical part of the event many locals haven't experienced. Hosting is...

Pelham Examiner file photo.

PCC’s Pumpkin Fest and Fun Run signal Halloween in Pelham with races and sale of future jack-o’-lanterns

By Kira Findikyan and Ciara Lynch
October 15, 2018

The people of Pelham came out to support the Pelham Children's Center for its annual Pumpkin Festival and Fun Run despite a wet, rainy Saturday morning. The rain did force the runners to gather in the...

Chamber of Commerce hosts Pelham's first annual Wolfs Walk event

Chamber of Commerce hosts Pelham’s first annual Wolfs Walk event

By Kira Findikyan, Staff Reporter
September 10, 2018

Pelham residents braved the rain to enjoy food and drink from local vendors, live music and stands featuring local businesses and organizations as the town came together at the Wolfs Walk event on...

Guess.

Our trials and tales and tricks—as twins

By Julia Findikyan and Kira Findikyan
August 14, 2018

Julia and Kira Findikyan, staff reporters for the Pelham Examiner, are identical twins. In this dialogue, they talk about how doctors and their parents worked to keep track of who was who before their...

Dr. Robert Roelle spoke at Pelham Middle School's 2017 graduation.

Departing PMS Principal Roelle says Pelham ‘will always have a special place in my heart’

By Kira Findikyan, Staff Reporter
June 18, 2018

Dr. Robert Roelle, who will leave as principal of Pelham Middle School when the school year ends,  said "Pelham will always have a special place in my heart." "The people are the best," he said. Roelle...

Huguenot Nursery Fun Fair brings exciting activities for kids (with slideshow)

Huguenot Nursery Fun Fair brings exciting activities for kids (with slideshow)

By Kira Findikyan, Staff Reporter
June 11, 2018

The Huguenot Nursery School's parking lot was filled with music and activities as children of all ages gathered to celebrate the nursery's annual Fun Fair on June 9. Andreas Pierroustsakos, a parent...

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