Rochambeau Alternative High School serves up heartwarming holiday feast

A long-standing Rochambeau Alternative High School tradition brought students, staff and visitors together Tuesday afternoon for a festive holiday feast and pickup games in the gym to usher in the holiday season.

A steady snowfall provided the perfect tableau for the winter celebration, which kicked off with a generous buffet featuring pasta, risotto, chicken, fruit and other favorites served by teachers.

The diners – who also included alumni, Board of Education members, district administrators and other visitors – then gathered at decorated tables lining the hallways, where they chatted and reminisced about their school experiences.

Math teacher Antonella Agudelo, who helped serve the food, said the celebration is deeply rooted in the school’s culture.

“I’ve been doing this at least 18 years, because that’s how long I’ve been here — and they were doing it long before that,” Ms. Agudelo said. “It’s (been) a tradition for many years. The teachers all contribute, and we pay for the food. It brings a sense of family and community for the kids.”

She added that the event is especially meaningful for students who may not otherwise experience these types of holiday meals. 

“Some of our students don’t get to have these kinds of foods outside of school, so it’s our way of presenting it to them,” she said. “It’s also a way to bring the entire White Plains community together. We’ve had school board members, alumni, and even the mayor come before.”

For students like senior Fernando Benites, the feast was about connection as much as food. 

“It’s really nice. We gather around together, grab food, we talk, we spend time with each other,” Fernando, an aspiring electrician, said as he sat with fellow classmates to enjoy the meal.

The celebration continued upstairs in the gym, where students and staff took part in basketball, volleyball and other games. Copious servings of ice cream, music and even roller blading helped cap off the festivities.

School Director Khali Murrell said the event serves as a living example of how the school fosters a sense of family. 

“It’s a visual representation of what Rochambeau stands for — people coming together, food, breaking bread,” Ms. Murrell said. “It’s community building and celebrating before heading into the break.”

She noted that the day also included an alumni panel, where recent graduates returned to speak with juniors and seniors about life after high school. 

“It’s all about supporting and motivating our students,” Ms. Murrell said. “It really is just a big community celebration.”