Borough President Vito Fossella Honors Outstanding Farrell Senior With Michael J. Petrides Award

Borough President Vito Fossella honored Vincenzo Rapacciuolo, a senior at Monsignor Farrell High School, for his academic accomplishments by presenting him with the Michael J. Petrides Student Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science at a ceremony at the Petrides School.

Named in memory of Michael J. Petrides, a beloved Staten Island educator and engineer who passed away in 1994, the award recognizes students who exemplify academic excellence, curiosity, and innovation. It is the only borough-wide academic award with one nomination from each high school.

​Vincenzo is regarded as a student with passionate curiosity and expansive creativity, especially in robotics and engineering. A member of the National Honor Society and an AP Scholar, Vincenzo has received Merit Awards in chemistry and physics and earned a Gold Key from the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards.

Outside the classroom, Vincenzo developed a Teleoperated Robotic Hand, which integrates virtual technology into a fully programmed robotic hand, and a functional Doctor Octopus Halloween Costume. He is in the process of inaugurating the Farrell STEM Club’s first 3D printer and developing enhanced Heads-Up Display (HUD) glasses using computer vision technology to outline specific objects within a field of view.
 
“Congratulations to all the finalists,” said Borough President Fossella. “It is a pleasure to celebrate and recognize your individual achievements and accomplishments, excelling in some things that will really transform the world. You are the leaders of tomorrow and that is the beauty of this award.”

Vincenzo said dedication is the key to success.

“Dedication is something I believe every single person in this room has, and it’s the dedication of the parents and people who organized this event that got us to where we are now,” he said. “It is an honor to carry on the legacy of Michael J. Petrides and I hope all of you here continue to do so as well.”