Senator Lanza Announces that Staten Island students from Staten Island nominated for consideration of the 2024 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program

 "I am excited to learn that two students selected by me, Joseph Lomangino of Moore Catholic High School and Gabriel Wasserstein of Staten Island Technical High School have been nominated by New York State Education Commissioner Betty Rosa as candidates for recognition in the 2024 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. Since 1964 over 8,000 high school seniors have been named as Presidential Scholars. This year, Mr. Lomangino is one of only 20 students from across New York State to be nominated to the Presidential Scholars Program, and Mr. Wasserstein is one of only 5 students across the State to be nominated for the Presidential Scholars – Excellence in Career and Technical Education (CTE) Program.  Through strength of character, leadership, hard work, and academic success they have earned my recommendation for this prestigious honor.  I am confident that they will continue to bring great pride to Staten Island. I applaud NYSED Commissioner Rosa for selecting a great group of students from throughout New York State to advance to the next round of review with the Commission on Presidential Scholars.  As both a Staten Islander and Senator, I am proud to continue to support Joseph and Gabriel through their candidacy."      

The State Education Department nominated 25 New York State high school seniors for the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program, Commissioner Betty A. Rosa announced today. Presidential Scholar recognition is one of the nation’s highest honors for high school students who represent excellence in education and the promise of greatness in young people. 
 
Board of Regents Chancellor Lester W. Young, Jr. said, “Thank you to our legislators for nominating these outstanding students. The nominees have modeled academic excellence, dedication to civic life, and leadership abilities. They are an inspiration to their fellow students and school communities. Congratulations to each of them on this remarkable honor.”    

Commissioner Rosa said, “I am honored to recommend these exemplary students to represent New York as Presidential Scholar candidates. Each of these nominees has demonstrated excellence through academic attainment, artistic talent, or career and technical program accomplishments. They have worked hard for this honor and have bright futures as they continue on to college, career, and civic life. I wish them well in the selection process.”  

The White House Commission on Presidential Scholars selects scholars annually based on their academic success, artistic excellence, essays, school evaluations, and transcripts, as well as evidence of community service, leadership, and demonstrated commitment to high ideals.   

Senator Andrew Lanza said, "I am excited to learn that two students selected by me, Joseph Lomangino of Moore Catholic High School and Gabriel Wasserstein of Staten Island Technical High School have been nominated by New York State Education Commissioner Betty Rosa as candidates for recognition in the 2024 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. Since 1964 over 8,000 high school seniors have been named as Presidential Scholars. This year, Mr. Lomangino is one of only 20 students from across New York State to be nominated to the Presidential Scholars Program, and Mr. Wasserstein is one of only 5 students across the State to be nominated for the Presidential Scholars – Excellence in Career and Technical Education (CTE) Program.  Through strength of character, leadership, hard work, and academic success they have earned my recommendation for this prestigious honor.  I am confident that they will continue to bring great pride to Staten Island. I applaud NYSED Commissioner Rosa for selecting a great group of students from throughout New York State to advance to the next round of review with the Commission on Presidential Scholars.  As both a Staten Islander and Senator, I am proud to continue to support Joseph and Gabriel through their candidacy."  

Application is by invitation only. Students chosen as U.S. Presidential Scholars receive a U.S. Presidential Scholars medallion in June. For more information on the Presidential Scholars Program, visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website.   https://www2.ed.gov/programs/psp/about.html   

General Component Nominees for the 2024 Presidential Scholars Program  

• Kayla Burgio, Albion High School, Albion Central School District (JD 8)  

• Killian Simonson, Amherst Central High School, Amherst Central Schools (JD 8)  

• Ariana Blake, Binghamton High School, Binghamton City School District (JD 6)  

• Kylie Drakos, Cold Spring Harbor Jr./Sr. High School, Cold Spring Harbor Central School District (JD #10)  

• Peter “Theo” Boris, Collegiate School (JD 1)  

• Calvin Nguyen, Deer Park High School, Deer Park School District (JD # 10)  

• Safa Hussein, Olympia School, Greece Central School District (JD 7)  

• Delaney Jarvis, Franklin Delano Roosevelt High School, Hyde Park Central School District  

• Nicole Satchell, Orchard Collegiate High School, NYC Geographic District #1 (JD 1)  

• Carly Weiss, Eleanor Roosevelt High School, NYC Geographic District #2 (JD 1)  

• Saba Kozlov, Fiorella H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, NYC Geographic District #3 (JD 1)  

• Dorian Wright, Aviation High School, NYC Geographic District #24 (JD 11)  

• Yonglin Li, East-West School of International Studies, NYC Geographic District #25 (JD 11)  

• Lyndon Qiu, East-West School of International Studies, NYC Geographic District #25 (JD 11)  

• Vincent Salerno, Pelham Memorial High School, Pelham Union Free School District (JD 9)  

• Joseph Lomangino, Moore Catholic High School (JD #13)  

• Cohen Fitzwater, Plattsburgh High School, Plattsburgh City School District (JD 4)  

• Lucy Reardon, South Side High School, Rockville Centre Union Free School District (JD 10)  

• Satya Groff, Troy High School, Troy City School District (JD 3)  

• Vincent Coppola, Clayton A. Bouton High School, Voorheesville Central School District  

   Career and Technical Education Nominees for the 2024 Presidential Scholars Program   

• Ariana Watson, Lawrence High School, Lawrence Union Free School District (JD #10)  

• Joelle Wike, Liverpool High School, Liverpool Central School District (JD 5)  

• Niki Chen, Stuyvesant High School, NYC Geographic District #2 (JD 1)  

• Gabriel Wasserstein, Staten Island Technical High School, NYC Geographic District #31 (JD 13)  

• Ebenezer Wontumi, Riverside High School, Yonkers Public Schools (JD 9)