Local leaders commemorate Holocaust Remembrance Day SHS students selected as Presidential Scholar Candidates

Two Syosset High School seniors have been selected as 2023 U.S. Presidential Scholar Candidates. Seniors Sabrina Guo and Maximus Lu were notified by the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program that they qualified for one of the nation’s highest honors for high school students.

Sabrina and Maximus are among roughly 5,000 students nationwide who will have the opportunity to apply to become U.S. Presidential Scholars. Application is by invitation only by the US Department of Education’s Commission on Presidential Scholars, and candidates are selected based on their superior academic and artistic achievements, leadership qualities, strong character, and involvement in the community.

The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964 by Executive Order of the President to recognize excellence in education and to honor some of the nation’s most distinguished graduating high school seniors. Approximately 600 Semi-Finalists will be announced in April. Up to 161 U.S. Presidential Scholars will be selected and announced in early May.

Nassau County Legislator Arnold W. Drucker (D - Plainview) joined with Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, religious leaders and his colleagues in government on Wednesday, Jan. 25 to commemorate International Holocaust Remembrance Day with a dome lighting ceremony at the Theodore Roosevelt Executive & Legislative Building.

The observance came two days before the official observance of International Holocaust Remembrance Day on Friday, Jan. 27, which coincides with the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp in 1945.

“On International Holocaust Remembrance Day, we pay solemn tribute to the lives of the 6 million Jewish victims and millions more innocent people who perished at the hands of Nazi barbarism,” Legislator Drucker said. “As we continue to combat the ugly scourge of hatred around the world, we must remain unwavering in our commitment to educating future generations and standing up to antisemitism and bigotry at every opportunity. May the light of the memories of the victims of the Holocaust be our beacon as we fulfill our solemn pledge to never forget the lessons of history.”