Kensico School Opening Speech

Sal J. Miele, Principal

November 27, 2001

            In an effort to select the perfect name for the newest school to grace the Valhalla Community, the Columbus Avenue School Staff researched our town’s history.

            One word surfaced time and again.  It was rich in tradition and at the root of our culture.  Listen as I take you on a walk down memory lane and share with you the story of the Hamlet of Valhalla.

            In November of 1683, the Siwanoy Indian Chieftain, Cokenseko, joined other sachems and deeded lands, including the site of present day White Plains, to early settlers.  For this reason, the area north of White Plains was first titled “Cokenseko”, later “Old Kensico” and finally, “Kensico”.

            During this early period, Hudson River Indians traveled Otter Trail to trap valuable pelts.  That trail is now known as West Lake Drive.  As time passed, the Native American population vanished, and Kensico Village was known as the home of Ruben Wright and his profitable mills.  General George Washington established headquarters at one of Wright’s mills and that site is a landmark on Route 22.

            The Year 1889 marked an event of significance for both our forefathers and current inhabitants.  Since the name “Kensico” was afforded to both the new cemetery and the train station, a gentleman by the name of Mr. Quinn proposed and effected a change in the name of our town from “Kensico” to “Valhalla”, the resting place for mythological gods.

            The year 1909 marks another year of significance for our community.  New York City began construction of the Kensico Dam.  This monumental endeavor required the skill and labor of countless craftsmen, many of who migrated from Europe and permanently settled in this fine area.  Their toil and tears built a structure 1/2-mile long and 307 feet high, totally constructed of rock material quarried from our local environment.  Many of our students are descendents of these brave men who built the wall that contains 30 billion gallons of water.  Under its depths lie the original village of Kensico, its church, stores and private residences.

            For more than 300 years, our beloved Valhalla was named Kensico.  As we entered the 20^th Century, we moved forward with a new name for our community.

            How befitting it is to cross the threshold of yet another century by paying tribute to our ancestry and bestowing upon its first architectural triumph, a state-of-the-art educational facility, the name “Kensico”, Kensico School.

            A special thank you to the members of this community for their foresight and generosity … to the members of the Board of Education for their endless perseverance and support, and to Dr. Kelly, Mr. Wolfson and Mr. May for always rising above and beyond the call of duty by overseeing this project to ensure the best educational environment for the children of the Valhalla School District.

            I am proud, privileged and honored to be the first principal to formally welcome you to Valhalla’s first triumph of the new millennium – Kensico School.