Senate Resolution No. 1359

BY: Senator PALUMBO

CONGRATULATING the Ward Melville High School
Science Olympiad Team upon the occasion of winning
the Eastern Long Island Regional Science Olympiad
Tournament on January 28, 2023

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to commend and pay
tribute to those who, by achieving outstanding success in their
educational and scientific endeavors, have inspired, and brought pride
to our majestic Empire State; and

WHEREAS, It is also the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize
the dedication and commitment of our young people who distinguish
themselves through excellence in science competition; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
congratulate the Ward Melville High School Science Olympiad Team upon
the occasion of winning the Eastern Long Island Regional Science
Olympiad Tournament at Hauppauge High School on Saturday, January 28,
2023; and

WHEREAS, The Science Olympiad is a national non-profit organization
dedicated to improving the quality of Kindergarten-12 science education,
increasing student interest in science, creating a
technologically-literate workforce, and providing for recognition for
outstanding achievement by both students and teachers; these goals are
achieved by participating in Science Olympiad tournaments and
non-competitive events, incorporating Science Olympiad into classroom
curriculum, and attending teacher training institutes; and

WHEREAS, Since its inception 40 years ago, Science Olympiad
tournaments have been modeled in a similar fashion to a track and field
meet, but with 23 events comprised of science exams and engineering
challenges; and

WHEREAS, Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) is
becoming an exceedingly popular and driving field in New York's economy;
Science Olympiad programs are influential in preparing students to be
leaders in STEM and preparing them to thrive at the forefront of
emerging science and technology; and

WHEREAS, Ward Melville High School, through their impressive
securement of the title of Regional Champions, secured their place in
the New York State Science Olympiad Tournament; in this competition held
in Syracuse, New York, on March 18, 2023, where they competed against 59
other top-placing teams across the State; and

WHEREAS, In the New York State Science Olympiad Tournament, Ward
Melville High School finished in the esteemed position of second place,
outperforming dozens of other school teams, and earning the applause and
admiration of their entire school, their families, and community at
large; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, the top 60 teams in the nation competed at the
2023 National Tournament in Wichita, Kansas on May 20, 2023; Ward
Melville High School placed 19th in the country, earning an impressive
position in the top 1% of all teams in the nation; and

WHEREAS, The Ward Melville High School Science Olympiad Team's
successes and commendable achievements are due, in part, to the
dedicated and able leadership of Head Coach Jenny Serigano and Assistant
Coach, Mark Suesser; and

WHEREAS, It is appropriate to celebrate the educational and
scientific accomplishments of remarkable schools such as the Ward
Melville High School, and its students, coaches, and teachers; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate the members of the Ward Melville High School Science
Olympiad Team: Aaron Zeng, Alexander Singer, Alexandra Duan, Ben Paldy,
Ben Zhang, David Wu, Daniel Liang, Emma Li, Hannah Lin (Senior Captain),
Kate Sun, Katie Duong, Kevin Shi, Marley Layden, Michael Melikyan
(Junior Captain), Michael Zhang, Mohemeen Ahmed, Owen Dong, Rithik
Sogal, Sara Li, Sean Skinner, Tyler Matukonis, and Vivian Ye upon the
occasion of winning the New York State Science Olympiad Competition; and
be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the members of the Ward Melville High School Science
Olympiad Team, and to Coaches, Jenny Serigano and Mark Suesser.