Top L to R: Trevor Smith, David Matz, Lens Isaac, Lenex Minnow, Lenny Toribio, Fawad Khan Ahmad, Nicholas Mercado, Olivia Naporano, Jake Solar.
Middle L to R: Cecilia Grace Halliday, Liberty Wilson, Megan Matias, Jessenia Abrego, Abigail Halperin, Dayra Lupita Cruz, Dahlia Nava, Joshua Montvelisky, Julianna Blackman, Jeff Schubert
Bottom (sitting) L to R: Taryn DeCrescenzo, Kamila El-Moselhy, Ashley Stangel, Senator Shelley B. Mayer, Emily Goldman, Ava Cross, Asa Hamlin.
State Senator Shelley B. Mayer recognized 38 students in the 37th Senate District with the 2025 Citizenship Award on Monday, June 23 at White Plains High School. Senator Mayer’s Citizenship Award recognizes students who have made exemplary contributions through civic involvement, community service, extracurricular activities or daily actions to serve their schools or community.
Senator Mayer led a roundtable discussion with the student recipients to showcase their activities and to learn more about each student’s work for their communities. The students had an opportunity to discuss their activities, the initiatives they pursued, and the ideas and plans they have for the future. Senator Mayer then presented the students with certificates of achievement for their outstanding involvement in the community.
Senator Shelley B. Mayer said, “I am delighted to present the 2025 Citizenship Awards to these remarkably bright and enthusiastic students. They have all done extraordinary work in their schools and in their communities, investing much of their time and energy into making Westchester a better place for us all and for future generations. As Chair of the Senate Education Committee, I am inspired by their work, and I appreciate the opportunity to hear their stories as well as their plans for the future. I would like to thank Principal Emerly Martinez and White Plains High School for hosting this ceremony, as well as all the family members and supporters of these terrific young people.”
White Plains High School Principal Emerly Martinez said, “We are once again delighted to host Senator Mayer’s Citizenship Awards Ceremony. We appreciate Senator Mayer for highlighting our local youth’s involvement in civic engagement, which is crucial to becoming contributing members of our communities.”
Senator Mayer recognized: Cecilia Grace Halliday and Joshua Montvelisky of Blind Brook High School; Megan Matias and Liberty Wilson of Bronxville High School; Emily Goldman and Ashley Stangel from Byram Hills High School; Fawad Khan Ahmad and Dayra Lupita Cruz from Charles E. Gorton High School; Kate Kim and Trevor Smith from Eastchester High School; Cailtin O’Connor and David Matz from Fox Lane High School; Julianna Blackman and Olivia Naporano from Harrison High School; Jeff Schubert and Aldijana Srdanovic from Lincoln High School; Katherine Gramajo and Nicholas Mercado from Mamaroneck High School; Jessenia Abrego and Jake Solar from New Rochelle High School; Daisy Aguilar and Taryn DeCrescenzo from Port Chester High School; Lens Isaac and Dahlia Nava from Riverside High School; Lenex Minnow and Lenny Toribio from Roosevelt High School; Ava Cross and Brady Howard from Rye High School; Rachelle Candamil and Melani Linares from Rye Neck High School; Omar Abuali and Amberly Nunez from Saunders Trades and Technical High SChool; Kamila El-Moselhy and Layden Kennedy from Scarsdale High School; Leila Gargiulo and John Manginelli from Tuckahoe High School; and Abigail Halperin and Asa Hamlin from White Plains High School.
Each student was nominated by a teacher or school administrator.
