Nassau BOCES recently honored 17 exceptional students with the esteemed George Farber Outstanding Student Award during a special spring ceremony. Each recipient received a plaque and $100 from the Nassau BOCES Educational Foundation.
Following is a list of this year’s George Farber Outstanding Student Award honorees:
- Jose Duran Tatis from Bethpage UFSD with Carman Road School
- Christina Augustin from East Meadow UFSD with Center for Community Adjustment
- Shane Liebler with Iris Wolfson High School
- Thomas Shaw with Children’s Readiness Center
- Austin Velasquez from Hempstead UFSD with Robert Williams School
- Devin Postullo with Seaman Neck Middle School
- Jason Yanez-Ramirez with Rosemary Kennedy School, Center-Based
- Alexandra LaPlaca from Hicksville UFSD with Long Island High School for the Arts
- Danielle Miranda from Levittown UFSD with GC Tech
- Danny Paz from Levittown with Adult Learning Center
- Madison Rivas from Port Washington UFSD with Willet Avenue School
- Estephany Rivas from Roosevelt with Adult Education
- Zueriella Predestin from Sewanhaka CHSD with Career Preparatory High School
- Ava Pacicca from Syosset CSD with Barry Tech
- Justin Cordona from Uniondale UFSD with Jerusalem Avenue Elementary School
- Henny Needelman from Valley Stream CHSD with Twilight Alternative High School Program
- Elvin Reyes from West Hempstead UFSD with Rosemary Kennedy School (district-based, JFK High School, in Bellmore)
These students were selected from various programs and schools within the agency for their remarkable qualities, such as passion, perseverance, enthusiasm, outstanding character, scholarship, and a willingness to help others. The celebration included board members, superintendents, administrators, school district representatives, staff, and family.
“Not only do these students demonstrate the very best of Nassau BOCES, each of them has also shown the true spirit of George Farber,” said James Widmer, Nassau BOCES Deputy Superintendent and Chief Operating Officer. “They all have passion, determination, enthusiasm, outstanding character, scholarship, and willingness to help others. Their collective stories are an inspiration to us all.”
For the past 17 years, outstanding students have been receiving this award in memory of former Nassau BOCES Board President George Farber. Farber’s dedication to improving the lives of students was matched only by his love and care for them. He was the longest-serving board member in Nassau County, serving from 1971 to 2009.
A vital regional resource, Nassau BOCES offers state-of-the-art programs for learners of all ages and abilities as well as cost-effective services for school districts and municipalities. Visit www.nassauboces.org/outstandingstudents to learn more about the Nassau BOCES George Farber Outstanding Student Award and to see the stories of this year’s winners.
