An exceptional group Huntington High School seniors captured numerous science honors during this month’s virtual academic awards ceremony.
John Segreti garnered both the Rensselaer Medal and the New York American Chemical Society-Long Island Chapter Award. The senior plans to study chemical engineering at the University of Delaware.
“The Rensselaer Medal was first presented in 1916 with two purposes: to recognize the superlative academic achievement of young men and women, and to motivate students toward careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines,” according to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s website. “The medal, the oldest prize of its kind in the United States, is on par with the Harvard Book Prize and the Brown Book Award as the most celebrated recognitions of excellence in secondary school education, according to an article that appeared in Rensselaer alumni magazine.”
“I am proud of myself for getting these awards and scholarships and happy for my other classmates that also worked hard,” Mr. Segreti said.
Science Honor Society Awards
Emily Cheshire and Neil Jean-Baptiste were presented with this year’s Science National Honor Society awards, which carry stipends of $600.
“I am so grateful to have won the Science National Honor Society award this year,” Ms. Cheshire said. “It is such an honor to be given this scholarship in a subject I am so passionate about and that I have always loved. I am so lucky to have had so many amazing science teachers at Huntington who have all positively influenced me to continue my studies in college in the science field in hopes of becoming a doctor in the future.”
Ms. Cheshire is headed to Lehigh University to study behavioral neuroscience. The teenager is interested in eventually attending medical school and pursuing a career as a psychiatrist. Mr. Jean-Baptiste will be attending the University of Delaware where he intends to study civil engineering.
“I’m honored to be recognized as the Science National Honor Society award winner,” Mr. Jean-Baptiste said. “Enrichment throughout high school doesn’t require a 105 in every class. If you come out of each class with your mind opened and ready to learn more, you’re on the right path. That’s applicable in any class or at any point on the educational path.”
St. John’s University Women in Science Awards
St. John’s University Women in Science Awards were presented to Brooke Biernacki (Binghamton University), Alice Bradford (University of East Anglia), Emily Cheshire (Lehigh University), Natalie Ciccone (University of Rhode Island), Alison Gooding (LIU Post), Zadie Lauer (Suffolk County Community College) and Lia Shechter (Northeastern University).