JENNIFER CORR

jcorr@antonmediagroup.com

There were many proud people at the Jericho Public Library on April 27. Four new Jericho High School alums would be joining the ranks of the Jericho High School Alumni Hall of Fame: Dr. Christopher Kelly, Blake Zeff, Robert Hahn and Dana Arschin Kraslow. Arschin began her education in the Port Washington School District before moving and attending Jericho High School. Arschin is an award-winning journalist and Holocaust storyteller. Dr. Kelly is a pediatric doctor and a member of the class of 1992. Documentarian and political advisor Blake Zeff graduated with the class of 1995. Robert Hahn is a professor of philosophy and Greek studies and an author. He is a member of the class of 1970.

Represented by a plaque, the names of these successful alumni have been passed by students and faculty each school day since the ‘90s. The first hall of fame alums were inducted in 1991. The hall of fame was founded by Robert Hoffman.

After the Masters of Ceremonies Matt DeMarinis and Meredith Hynes exchanged some friendly jests, something that the audience has come to look forward to and enjoy every year, the audience, made up mostly by Jericho retirees, faculty and community members, were invited to discuss fond memories they’ve made over the years at these induction events. Co-Principal David Cohen, Jericho Board of Education President Jill Citron and Superintendent Henry L. Grishman then delivered some proud remarks.

“To know that one of our core beliefs of the district aligns so strongly with the outstanding accomplishments of tonight’s inductees is both affirming and inspiring,” said Cohen. “Tonight marks a joyous and special event, a night where we will honor and celebrate four spectacular individuals who will be forever recognized in the Jericho Hall of Fame. I look forward to walking the halls of the high school, and taking the time to admire four new plaques on the wall of honor.”

Jericho student Ava Thanus presented two-time Emmy award-winning journalist Arschin, a member of the class of 2005. Thanus is a journalist, working for the student publication JerEcho. Thanus will be heading to New York University in the fall to study biology.

Arschin has never missed an opportunity, Thanus said. In high school, Arschin played basketball, varsity softball and served as captain of the varsity volleyball team. She excelled in academics and extracurriculars as well. Arschin has always loved journalism, and that’s the field she would choose, working locally for News 12 and then Fox 5.

“She loved meeting people and telling their stories, but she came to realize that there was a greater story she wanted to tell,” Thanus said.

Arschin’s ancestors were murdered during the Holocaust, But her grandfather lived to tell Arschin his story, as well as the stories of other Holocaust victims. Arschin would go on to interview Holocaust survivors as part of a series on Fox 5. She now works as a story teller at the Nassau County Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center (HMTC) in Glen Cove.

In 2018, Arschin traveled to Poland to visit concentration camps and learn more about her family’s story. She would document this journey for Fox 5.

Arschin said getting inducted is incredibly meaningful for her since she grew up in the district from kindergarten on.

“My passion for [sharing the stories of Holocaust survivors] comes from my maternal grandfather, my poppi,” Arschin said. “He is an Auschwitz concentration camp survivor. We just celebrated his 101st birthday.”

Her trip to Poland inspired Arschin to strictly tell stories of Holocaust survivors. Through her company DJK Communications, Arschin is the first-ever story teller at HMTC, using all the skills she’s picked up throughout her career to tell the stories of Holocaust survivors through short films. She’s interviewed 21 survivors since September. She also uses social media to tell their stories.