Five Towns students presented with Star Awards for educational achievements

A half dozen students who attend schools in the Five Towns were highlighted for their achievements in and out of the classroom at State Sen. Todd Kaminsky’s Star Awards ceremony at the Rockville Centre Recreation Center on May 23.

Daniela Andrade, a Lawrence High School senior, was the class essayist and is involved in student government, Science Bowl and the History Club as president of all three. As student government president Andrade focused on getting sports and virtual clubs running during the pandemic. She was a member of Model Congress and the Debate Club.

Andrade also founded College-Bound to help students who are struggling with the college application process. She also served as an intern in Kaminsky’s office. Headed to Harvard University with the ultimate goal of becoming a doctor. 

Lawrence Woodmere Academy senior Ian Geraghty played soccer and basketball, maintained excellent grades while taking high-level classes and made various contributions to his community in an effort to make the world better. Geraghty was also one of the two LWA Antics student columnists for the Herald. He will attend Providence College in the fall.

Considered a natural leader, Judah Orlanski, a Rambam Mesivta High School senior, is an excellent student who is always willing to help his classmates and get involved in extracurricular activities. He is headed to Yeshivat Lev Hatorah in Israel in the fall, then Binghamton University.

An exceptional student in and out of the classroom, Davis Renov Stahler High School for Boys senior Amichai Miller leads the Kulanu Club, which matches mainstream students with special needs students every week to participate in various activities. The program requires a tremendous amount of effort and coordination on Miller’s part, through which he exemplifies leadership in the school.

A member of the National and Business honor societies, Carrie Zheng, a Hewlett High School junior, is program director and president of the Pre-Med club and vice president of the Community Garden Club.

Outside of school, she regularly volunteers at the public library, tends to the community garden, tutors peers and translates documents to and from Mandarin to English. Her teachers refer to Zheng as caring, diligent and reliable.

One of the Hebrew Academy of the Five Towns and Rockaway High School’s top students, senior Ezra Wallach took a rigorous course load and many Advanced Placement courses. Wallach was a member of the Mock Trial, math and chess clubs, and a leader on the College Torah bowl teams.

He was also a member of various athletic teams and took the time to distribute food packages to needy families. Wallach is considered a role model for other HAFTR students because of his leadership abilities. He will headed to Israel and attend Yeshivat Netiv Aryeh and then attend Yeshiva University. 

“The recipients of the New York State Senate Student Stars Award have distinguished themselves as leaders in their schools and our local community as a whole,” Kaminsky said in a news release. “I was pleased to recognize their achievements and join their families in celebrating their accomplishments. I look forward to seeing what is in store next for these talented students, as they continue to make their mark.”