The annual award is given to a graduating high school senior who excels in math and science. Each Staten Island high school is asked to submit a single nominee, from which the honoree and runner-up are selected. The award is named for Michael J. Petrides, a legendary Staten Island educator, who died in 1994.
Kasey Shashaty is a curious and determined student who has a deep commitment to her faith and family as the second eldest of four children. Nominated as the outstanding scholar-athlete for St. Joseph Hill for the Varsity Club Award, she also dedicates time to community service endeavors, including cooking and serving food at Project Hospitality and volunteering with the Special Olympics Club. As a member of the Hill Varsity Swim Team she placed 1st in the New York Archdiocesan championship for the past three years, in addition to being named second team All-Star for Cross Country and holding the Indoor Track school record for the 4x800 relay as a member of the Hill Varsity Track Team. Kasey, who is passionate about science and math, is a National Merit Finalist, an AP Scholar with Honors, and a member of the National Honor and the Foreign Language (French) Honor Societies. Ranked at the top of her class, Kasey maintained a full academic scholarship throughout her time at St. Joseph Hill Academy after having taken the most demanding schedule available to her. Kasey has also sought science research opportunities outside of Hill, partaking in an internship last summer at the Institute for Basic Research where she observed laboratory techniques on a wide range of disciplines and learned how to genetically engineer recombinant DNA. Kasey plans to major in biomedical engineering in college.
“The Petrides Award has been given to many remarkable students over the years, and this year is no exception. Congratulations to our winner and to all the impressive nominees for being the best and brightest in our community,” noted Borough President Oddo.
Luna Wang from Staten Island Academy was named first runner up. Adam Goudjil from CSI High School for International Studies was named second runner up.
A full list of nominees is below:
Adam Goudjil, CSI High School for International Studies
Allison Kahy, Curtis High School
Nicholas Thompson, Gaynor McCown Expeditionary Learning School
Louis Lopez, Michael J. Petrides School
Erik Kaiser, Monsignor Farrell High School
Jenna Moley, Moore Catholic High School
Jessica Wallace, New Dorp High School
Julianna Meyer, Notre Dame Academy
Juan Barba, Ralph R. McKee Career & Technical High School
Sabrina Oriz, St. Joseph by the Sea High School
Kasey Shashaty, St. Joseph Hill Academy
Daniel Elkik, St. Peter’s Boys High School
Minzhi (Luna) Wang, Staten Island Academy
James Tonrey, Staten Island Technical High School
Alexis Crescitelli, Susan E. Wagner High School
Amanda Mavricos, Tottenville High School