Senate Deputy Leader Gianaris Presents Resolution Recognizing Young Womens Leadership School Of Astoria After Citywide “Hack League” Victory

ASTORIA, N.Y. – Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris recognized middle school students from the Young Women’s Leadership School of Astoria with a resolution honoring their victory in the citywide Hack League.

“Congratulations to these remarkable students who will be the next generation of STEAM leaders in our city,” said Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris. “I am proud to honor these young women for their achievement a Senate resolution and I look forward to their continued success.”

Allison Persad, principal of the Young Women’s Leadership School said “Senator Gianaris’ unwavering support of computer science education and the students in the his deep rooted Astoria community, is an exemplar of how the intersection of leadership and politics can inspire the future. Innovation, full STEAM ahead!”

The Young Women’s Leadership School team developed an app to fight pollution. The app was built on the Swift platform.

Students from all district middle and high schools were invited to participate in this year’s Hack League, a program that is part of the Computer Science for All initiative and in partnership with BetaNYC, through which students use computer science concepts and open data from their school neighborhoods to solve problems impacting their communities. Approximately 1,700 students across all five boroughs participated in the league. In order to make it to the final, teams had to win their school-based competition, followed by a borough-wide competition.

Photos from Senator Gianaris’ presentation of the resolution are available here: https://bit.ly/2WzPCkB. 

The full text of the resolution is below:

CONGRATULATING  the  Middle  School  Team from the Young Women's Leadership School of Astoria,  Queens, upon  the  occasion  of winning the Computer Science for All Hack League Final

 WHEREAS, It is the custom of this  Legislative  Body  to  honor  the youth   of   today,   and  leaders  of  tomorrow,  whose  character  and achievements exemplify the ideals and values  cherished  by  this  great State and Nation; 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 and academic 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  Middle  School Team from the Young Women's Leadership School of Astoria, Queens,  upon the occasion of  winning  the  Computer Science for All Hack League Final, Middle School Division; and

WHEREAS,  Ably  led  by  STEAM Director Emily Fields, the victorious Middle School Team consisted of Mia Soret, Allison Perez Robles, Trianne Hontiveros, and Afsana Rahman; and

 WHEREAS, The Hack League Program is part of the Computer Science for All Initiative, in  partnership  with  BetaNYC;  through  this  program, students  use  computer science concepts and open data from their school neighborhoods   to   solve   problems   impacting   their   communities; approximately  1,700 students from all five boroughs participated in the League; and

 WHEREAS, In order to make it to the Final, the  Middle  School  Team from  the  Young Women's Leadership School of Astoria, Queens, won their school-based competition, followed by a borough-wide competition; and

WHEREAS, On Wednesday, April 17, 2019, the Middle School  Team  from the  Young Women's Leadership School of Astoria, Queens, joined 28 other teams, consisting of about 130 students, to  build  their  projects  and present  their  findings  to  a  panel of guest judges and New York City Council members; and

WHEREAS, Finalists in the Hack League worked on projects, apps,  and games  designed  to  advocate for environmental sustainability and trash reduction, to solve the deer epidemic on Staten Island,  and  to  reduce obesity and help people eat better and stay fit in New York City; and

WHEREAS,  Using  the Swift platform, the Middle School Team from the Young Women's Leadership School  of  Astoria,  Queens,  developed  their winning  app to combat excessive pollution; during the game, individuals score points when they use  trash  cans  and  recycling  units  on  city streets; and

WHEREAS,  Educational competitions which serve to better prepare our students for their future participation in the marketplace of ideas  are worthy of praise and support; and

WHEREAS,  Poised  eagerly  with  enthusiasm  and determined purpose, these computer scientists now stand honorably, with just pride in  their accomplishments   and   in  eager  anticipation  of  future  challenges, understanding and appreciating the caring counsel and  support  provided by their teachers and parents; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED,  That  this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to congratulate the Middle School Team from the  Young  Women's  Leadership School  of  Astoria, Queens,   upon the occasion of winning the Computer Science for All Hack League Final; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution,  suitably  engrossed,  be transmitted  to  the  members  of the Young Women's Leadership School of Astoria, Queens, Team; Emily Fields, STEAM  Director;  and  Dr.  Allison Persad, Principal.