Saturday, October 3, 2026
Malverne School District honored Malverne High School senior Matthew DaCosta for being named a recipient of the Princeton Prize in Race Relations, recognizing his leadership and impact in advancing racial equity and cross-cultural understanding.
DaCosta is the second winner from Malverne in the past two years. “To have two winners from any school is rare, especially for a school the size of Malverne. We are so happy for Matthew," Rebecca Madson, chair of the Princeton Prize in Race Relations for the NYC Region, said.
DaCosta served as chair of the ERASE Racism Student Task Force. He organized multi-district conferences on structural racism and testified at the New York State Foundation Aid hearings, advocating for equitable school funding. He developed restorative workshops addressing hate speech and founded the Malverne Youth Towards Equity program for younger students. He also helped launch Malverne’s first districtwide MLK Day of Service, uniting students in meaningful service and education centered on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy.
“Matthew exemplifies what it means to lead with purpose and integrity,” Malverne High School Principal Kesha Bascombe said. “He creates programs and spaces that foster understanding and bring people together in meaningful ways.”
“None of this work is a means to an end for Matthew,” Jason Mach, district supervisor of humanities, said. “I truly believe this is where his future lies, and all of our futures will be better for it.”
As a Princeton Prize recipient, DaCosta will receive a $2,500 award and an invite to attend the Princeton Prize Symposium on Race, joining student leaders from across the country.
