The 2008 winners of PEF’s Joseph Scacalossi Scholarship exemplify how a thirst for knowledge, coupled with hard work and a generous spirit, can put you in the winner’s circle.
This year, 640 students applied for the scholarship named for an early organizer of PEF and Division 245 leader at the state
Labor Department in New York City.
Robert Harms, committee chair, and others members – Debi Chowdhury, Maureen Hogle, Eric Lindemann and Barbara Rock – congratulate the following 10 recipients.
They are all children of active or retired PEF members, and will receive $4,000 during the next four years.
 Ankuri
Desai is enrolled in an eight-year
program jointly run by Brooklyn College and Downstate College of
Medicine which will provide her with a Bachelor of Arts degree in
chemistry and a Medical Doctorate. Twice, she was a semi-finalist in the
Siemens competition for her talents. She is also an Intel International
Science and Engineering Fair finalist and an AP Scholar with
Distinction. Parent: Girish Desai, state Department of
Environmental Conservation, Stony Brook.cells |
 Megan
Hurley is headed for SUNY Geneseo where she is considering a
pre-law major. She graduated from Fairport HS with “high honors.” Hurley
was selected to go to Washington, DC to participate in a leadership
group on identity theft. She was active in the National Honor Society
(NHS) and women’s choir and is an accomplished pianist and guitarist,
plus team captain for the Perinton Youth girls’ ice hockey team.
Parent: Kevin J. Hurley, state Department of Economic Development,
Rochester. |
 Sara
Krukowski will study speech-language pathology at SUNY
Cortland. As a Chenango Valley HS graduate, Krukowski enjoyed French
club, ski club, drama club, the Alcohol and Drug Student InformationProgram, and was the local NHS treasurer. She is the recipient of the Sen. Thomas Libous and WBNG-TV 2008 Student Community Service Award for her volunteer work. She has traveled to Europe as an exchange student and People to People student ambassador. Parent: Edmund Krukowski, Broome DDSO, Binghamton. |
Kimberly Leonard will
 attend
the Pratt School of Engineering at Duke University. During recent
summers, she attended programs at SUNY Stony Brook and Columbia
University. Leonard has received an award for patent disclosure, and was
a National Merit Commended Student and AP Scholar with Distinction. She
has volunteered for Habitat for Humanity and other charities. She is a
swim instructor and lifeguard at the Half Hollow Hills Central School
District. Parent: Laura Leonard, state Office of Mental Health,
Sagamore Youth PC, Dix Hills. |
 Rachel
Lopez is planning for a career in computer science and will
attend Grove City College in PA. Rachel was valedictorian of the 2008
class at Jordan-Elbridge HS, where she was NHS president. She was
co-founder and president of “Youth Always Living in View of Eternity”
and Leo Club president. Rachel was captain of her varsity volleyball
team, and is an accomplished musician playing flute, trombone and jazz
piano. She is involved in the First Baptist Church of Memphis, and is a
choir soloist. Parent: Vilma Lopez, Upstate Medical University
Hospital, Syracuse. |
 Matthew
Madden is interested in a career in
biochemistry or microbiology after earning a degree at Williams College.
He was the valedictorian of Lansingburgh HS and is the recipient of the
Robert C. Byrd Scholarship and the NYS Excellence Scholarship. As a member of Literacy Volunteers, he tutored two retired Russian doctors and traveled to Moscow with them in 2007. Madden plays varsity soccer, basketball, and lacrosse. Parent: Mark T. Madden, state Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, Albany. |
 Souvik
Paul is entering his sophomore year
at Harvard University where he is earning a Bachelor of Arts degree. He
is a performer and choreographer for the Harvard Breakers, a group
featuring break dancing and popping, and he enjoys writing and screenwriting courses. Paul graduated from Syosset HS in 2007, where he was on the honor roll every semester and earned an AP Scholar with Distinction Award, among others, He was news editor of the Syosset Pulse. Parent: Supriya Paul, state Insurance Fund, Nassau. |
 Andrea
Picente has selected adolescent education as her major, and
will minor in music at Nazareth College in Rochester. At Whitesboro HS
Picente received an AP Scholar of Distinction Award and is on the dean’s
list. She received numerous awards for achievement in Spanish, and plans
to study in Spain in 2009. Her other interests include playing the flute
and piano. Parent: David Picente, state
Department of Correctional Services, Oneida County. |
 Julianna
VanMeter will attend Ithica College and major
in speech-language pathology. At Rome Free Academy, VanMeter was a
member of the NHS, recipient of several awards including the JCI Senate Scholarship, Rome Science Fair Award, and Scholastic Athlete awards in varsity soccer, basketball, indoor track and softball. She’s been a lifeguard and has volunteered at Rome Memorial Hospital, church functions and participated in various fundraisers. Parent: Robert E. VanMeter, Mohawk Valley Youth, Rome. |
 Danielle
Vitalo is heading to the state University of
New York College at Geneseo where she will study biology. She hopes to
become a pediatrician. Vitalo attended Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake HS and earned the U.S. President’s Education Award for Outstanding Academic Excellence. She volunteers at Saratoga Springs Hospital. She received a U.S. Figure Skating Association Certificate and is also active in field hockey, drama club, choir, skiing and running. Parent: David A. Vitalo, Office of the State Comptroller, Albany. |
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