NEW ROCHELLE, NY (April 11, 2025) — A gleaming new sign now adorns the Clove Road entrance to New Rochelle High School, proclaiming the “Bruce Zeller Planetarium” in honor of a cherished educator. The planetarium was officially dedicated on March 27, with Zeller joined by colleagues, students, family, and friends to celebrate the occasion.
The renaming was spearheaded by NRHS math teacher Bruno Duarte, a former student of Zeller’s from the class of 1994. “If you’ve not been to one of his shows here, please make a point of doing so,” Duarte said. “The monthly shows, the four shows in December, the house is packed. It’s a beautiful event. It’s not just New Rochelle. It’s Westchester and beyond that.”
Zeller, who joined the school district in 1982 and became planetarium director in 1995, retired in 2021 after 39 years of teaching at Isaac E. Young Middle School and NRHS. During his tenure, he hosted monthly planetarium shows open to the public, annual “Season of Light” holiday shows, and oversaw three planetarium upgrades.
Board of Education President William Iannuzzi, also a former student, praised Zeller’s impact. “It’s just amazing to see the impact you have had on our community and the kids in our schools,” he said. “Those kids had the time of their life coming here and seeing the planets and the stars.”
Forensics teacher Scott Rubins recalled Zeller’s generosity, noting a private planetarium show Zeller gave his young son. “Bruce is a teacher’s teacher,” Rubins said. “He had wisdom, was thoughtful about what he said and always brought a positive outlook to the classroom.”
NRHS Principal Dr. Dagoberto Artiles called Zeller “a legend,” adding, “This space connects the entire New Rochelle community.”
Zeller expressed gratitude for the honor. “The support of this room has always been a high priority,” he said. “Throughout all the years, this has been state-of-the-art. I thank all the teachers, just the greatest teachers in this school district, who trusted me to hand over their class for 45 minutes and let me teach their students. It was a privilege.”
A plaque by the planetarium door reads: “The Bruce Zeller Planetarium. This space serves as a tribute to Bruce Zeller, a shining star of our community, to his legacy and his contributions and devotion to the New Rochelle School District during and after his tenure. May it inspire all who enter to reach for the stars.”
The dedication ceremony concluded with moon pies, astronaut cake, and other cosmic-themed treats for attendees.