Oceanside High School students rake in awards

Several high school students were honored recently with awards in writing, science research and overall academic achievement.

Anoj Ilanges was the winner of the Rensselaer Medal, a $15,000-per-year scholarship based on achievement in math and science. Renssalaer has been awarding the medal since 1916.

Gregory Flax was awarded the Nassau Educators Federal Credit Union Make a Difference Award for his community service, including helping to clean up the Marine Nature Study area, holding a fundraiser that raised $2,000 for the Make A Wish Foundation and working with B’nai Brith’s youth group to provide food for less fortunate elderly people. He also conducted a social science research study to determine whether children with autism could be successful in athletics.

Emily London was the second-place finisher in the 10th Grade Category of the Kenneth F. Gambone Writing Contest, sponsored by the Long Island Language Arts Council. The topic was “Hope for the Future,” and London wrote about today’s young people as the key to solving problems in our society. Her teacher, Donna Caiet, encouraged her to enter the contest.

In Science Research, Blake Smith, a junior, won first place in the Cellular and Molecular Biology category of the prestigious Intel Science and Engineering Fair. Previously Blake had won first place in the Long Island leg of the competition, making him eligible to compete in California in May. 

David Sheynberg took Highest Honors in the Long Island Science Congress and was also given two special awards for his research paper.