State Education Department Announces Nominees for 2024 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program

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.

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.

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, Fiorello 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)

New York State Legislators on the Presidential Scholars Nominees:

Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins: “I am delighted my nominee Ebenezer Wontumi has been chosen as a candidate for recognition in the 2024 U.S. Presidential Scholars Excellence in Career and Technical Education (CTE) Program. Ebenezer is one of the 5 students across the state to be considered a candidate for this recognition, and I couldn’t be happier that Commissioner Rosa has agreed with my recommendation. Ebenezer is the Salutatorian of his graduating class at Riverside High School, where he is completing an associate's degree in the engineering pathway as part of the Pathways of Technology Early College High School (P-Tech) program. Ebenezer has an impressive list of academic achievements, and he is a dedicated youth leader who enjoys giving back to the community. Outside of the classroom, he volunteers his time at The Inspirational Gospel Assembly as well as the Key Club while also giving his time to raise money for the P-Tech program. In addition, he has been inducted in various honor societies and is a proud member of our varsity football team, The Yonkers Brave. It was my pleasure to recommend Ebenezer to be considered a candidate for this special honor, he is a well-rounded young man and an enterprising student leader who has a tremendous future ahead."

Senator Liz Krueger: “I am delighted to learn that Theo Boris has been nominated for the 2024 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. He is an incredible young person who has demonstrated a deep curiosity and passion for learning, particularly in the sciences, as well as the drive and acumen to take that passion far beyond the walls of his high school. He already has a track record of giving back to his community, both locally and globally, whether it’s teaching chess to other young people, or connecting honey producers on the Pitcairn Islands to U.S. markets. It is clear from listening to those who know him well that Theo is a beloved part of his community. I congratulate him and all of this year’s nominees.”

Senate Minority Leader Robert G. Ortt: “Congratulations to Kayla Burgio of the Albion Central School District on being selected as a nominee for this prestigious program and for her hard work both in and out of the classroom. Not only has Kayla maintained a stellar GPA while excelling athletically in sports year-round, but she continues to hold seats and memberships on various clubs, mentor new students to her school, and volunteer at her local library. Kayla embodies the dedication and determination of all Western New Yorkers and would be an excellent ambassador of our community through the Presidential Scholars Program.” 

Assemblymember Patricia Fahy: “I am so proud that Commissioner Rosa has nominated one of our most distinguished young leaders and scholars, Vincent Coppola, of Voorheesville High School, for the highly esteemed U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. Vincent joins a prestigious group of students nominated for the U.S. Presidential Scholars program each year and has made our community, the 109th District, and New York State proud. Vincent is involved in almost every area of the Voorheesville school district community, and I’m delighted that Vincent will be rightly recognized for his outstanding and exemplary academic and extracurricular achievements, and I look forward to seeing his continued future success.”

Assemblymember Karen McMahon: "I was thrilled to learn that Killian Simonson of Amherst Central High School was selected by NYS Commissioner of Education Betty Rosa as one of 20 finalists from New York State for the Presidential Scholars Program. As the valedictorian of his class, his performance in the classroom is obviously strong, but I was even more impressed by his leadership and problem-solving ability. Given his interest in engineering and computers and his involvement in varsity athletics, Killian developed a program to maximize a wrestler's success by analyzing competition pairings. I am honored to have nominated Killian, and I wish him great success in his future educational and professional endeavors."

Assemblymember Donna A. Lupardo: “Congratulations to Ariana Blake, from Binghamton High School, for being nominated to represent New York as a Presidential Scholar candidate. This is one of the most prestigious recognitions a high school student can achieve. Ariana has certainly earned this distinction through her innate curiosity, perseverance, academic excellence, and community engagement. I’d like to thank Commissioner Rosa for advancing Ariana’s nomination and for shining a spotlight on extraordinary students like her. I wish Ariana all the best in her future endeavors.”

Assemblymember Steve Stern: “I am so proud to announce that Kylie Drakos, a senior at Cold Spring Harbor Junior-Senior High School, was selected by New York State Commissioner of Education, Betty Rosa, as one of only 25 students in New York State to be selected for the Presidential Scholar Award, the most prestigious achievement for high school students in our nation. It was my pleasure to nominate Kylie, as she is an exceptional young woman of great accomplishment and tremendous promise. Through her studies, extracurricular activities, and work as an intern in my Assembly District Office, she has demonstrated an extraordinary work ethic, a keen intellect, a deep passion for the study of political science, and a maturity far beyond her years. She is an outstanding student and dedicates her time and boundless energy to her school and our community. I can’t wait to see her accomplishments in the future.”

Senator Monica Martinez: “I am extremely proud of Calvin Nguyen for being one of 20 students nominated as a candidate for recognition in the 2024 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. A natural leader in his school and community, Calvin is an extremely accomplished student, with exceptional academic performance and an unwavering drive to succeed. Calvin represents the hardworking and motivated people of Long Island and the 4th Senatorial District, and I wish him the best of luck in all future endeavors!”

Assemblymember Josh Jensen: “It’s an honor to have one of 20 students from New York selected for the 2024 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program come from the district I represent. This program demonstrates the vast potential our educational system can play in inspiring our next generation of leaders to follow their dreams and achieve excellence. Safa is a great testament to the power of knowledge and serving our communities. She truly has gone above and beyond, and I wish her continued success.” 

Assemblymember Didi Barrett: “I am delighted that Delaney Jarvis, Franklin D. Roosevelt High School Senior, has been nominated for the 2024 Presidential Scholars Program. This prestigious award is a recognition of academic achievement, involvement in school, and service to community. On behalf of the residents of the 106th Assembly District, we congratulate Delaney, and wish her continued success!”

Assemblymember Grace Lee: "It is an honor to have two students from my district, Nicole Satchell and Niki Chen, nominated by Commissioner Rosa for this year’s Presidential Scholars Program. Nicole and Niki are both talented young scholars who show strong promise – Niki through her proficiency in mathematics and computer programming, and Nicole through her enthusiasm for community service and social justice. I congratulate them on this impressive achievement, and I look forward to seeing everything they will accomplish in the years to come."

Assemblymember Rebecca A. Seawright: “I am proud to have nominated Carly Weiss, an outstanding high school senior in my district to receive the Presidential Scholar distinction who has been selected by Commissioner Betty Rosa as one of twenty students from New York to the Commission on Presidential Scholars and the U.S. Department of Education.  Carly Weiss deserves strong consideration for the Presidential Scholar distinction.”

Assemblymember Tony Simone: "I am so proud that my nominee Saba Kozlov has been selected for the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program by Commissioner Rosa. Saba is a constituent of Assembly District 75, and I got to know him when he interned in my office. Saba is a bright, talented young man with a passion for people and public service, and I have been particularly impressed by his zeal and energy. He has shown a strong interest in a number of issues, particularly of climate resiliency, and when he was in my office, he did crucial work on waterfront restoration projects that have become part of my environmental policy. I am extremely proud of Saba's accomplishments, and I congratulate him for this well-deserved honor."

Assemblymember Juan Ardila: "It is with great pride that our district's very own Dorian Wright from Aviation High School has been nominated by Education Commissioner Betty Rosa for the 2024 Presidential Scholars Program. As a 3-year member of his school's National Honors Society, the Foreman in his Aircraft Maintenance class, and a volunteer who has completed over 50 hours of community service, Dorian is a shining example of what it means to go above and beyond for his community. Even in his free time, Dorian has used his love of video games to draw, motivate and challenge students as the Vice President of Aviation High School's Esports Club. There, Dorian has helped organize teams to compete in annual tournaments, teaching his peers discipline, leadership skills and the ability to build confidence that translates into the real world. Our community is proud of Dorian's accomplishments and his candidacy, and we thank Commissioner Rosa for her nomination."

Assemblymember Nily Rozic: "Lyndon and Yonglin truly represent the best of our community, demonstrating dedication to service, academic excellence, and a commitment to improving the community at-large. Their impressive achievements make them highly deserving of the Presidential Scholars nomination. I take great pride in representing Lyndon and Yonglin, and I am confident that they will continue to excel in their future endeavors.”

Assemblymember Amy Paulin: “I am absolutely thrilled that Vincent Salerno, a student at Pelham Memorial High School, is one of twenty statewide nominees for the Presidential Scholar program. Vincent’s accomplishments are remarkable –he is an outstanding scholar, two sport varsity athlete, recognized student leader, and tireless volunteer. Vincent has Tourette Syndrome, and his determination and strength of character have helped him succeed when many others would have given up. I am so proud that he has been nominated for this prestigious program and wish him success in this and all of his future endeavors.”

Senator Andrew Lanza: "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."

Assemblymember Billy Jones: “Congratulations to Cohen Fitzwater and to all the students who were nominated for recognition in the 2024 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. Cohen is a highly regarded student leader who strives for excellence not only in academics, but also through his community engagement and extracurricular activities. He has made the North Country proud, and it was an honor to nominate Cohen for this prestigious award. I wish him nothing but the best in his future endeavors, and I’d like to thank Commissioner Betty Rosa and the NYS Education Department for recognizing students’ achievements across New York State.”

Senator Kevin Thomas: "Congratulations to Lucy Reardon of South Side High School on her well-deserved nomination to the prestigious U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. Lucy is an impressive student who frequently engages her teachers with her thought-provoking questions and is also known for her varsity sports skills outside of the classroom. I was proud to recommend Lucy for this honor because of her dedication to her school community and passion for knowledge, and I wish her the best of luck in future endeavors!”

Assemblymember John T. McDonald III, RPh: "I sincerely appreciate the nomination of Satya Groff from my Assembly District that was put forth by Commissioner Betty Rosa as part of an elite group of students for the Presidential Scholars program. This prestigious program recognizes the talent and commitment of these future leaders. Thank you to Commissioner Rosa and the Regents for their continued efforts to shine a light on these bright stars throughout New York State."

Assemblymember Ari Brown: "From her unwavering dedication to academic excellence, outstanding musical achievements, and exceptional leadership skills, Ariana Watson stands as an exemplary candidate for the Presidential Scholars Program. Her relentless pursuit of excellence, coupled with her passion for community service, embodies the essence of a well-rounded scholar poised for greatness. Ariana's commitment to learning, leadership, and service makes her an exceptional nominee for this prestigious honor."

Assemblymember Albert A. Stirpe, Jr.: “I am so proud of Joelle Wike’s accomplishments, and I am happy that she is receiving well-deserved recognition through the Presidential Scholars Career and Technical Education Program. As a student at Liverpool High School, she receives all-county recognition in two sports, works part-time as a lifeguard at the YMCA, and is a High Honor student taking Advanced Placement and college-level courses. We are fortunate that this accomplished student has selected to enroll in Liverpool’s Early Childhood Education Program.  Joelle has a gift of working with children, combining a warm, welcoming temperament with her knowledge of the best teaching practices and classroom experience. She brings both creativity and rigor to her students. It was an honor to nominate Joelle as a Presidential Scholar and I wish her the best as she moves through the competition process.”