Hempstead Town Notebook: Intel Semifinalists

Town of Hempstead Honors Intel Semifinalists

Hempstead Town recognized the accomplishments of 11 semifinalists from the Intel Science Talent Search at the Feb. 7 board meeting.

The Intel Science Talent Search (STS) is often considered the "Junior Nobel Prize" and is America's oldest (since 1942) and most prestigious pre-college science competition. The Intel competitors are considered the next generation of scientists and engineers. Intel STS finalists were selected based on their research ability, scientific originality, creative thinking and ability to apply science to the world around them. New York had more semifinalists in the Intel Science Talent Search than any other state, 105 among 300 young people from across the United States named semifinalists. Long Island captured 61 semifinalist slots and 11 of those students are from the Town of Hempstead.

In addition to honoring the students themselves, Supervisor Kate Murray recognized the seven schools from which the champions hail.

• John F. Kennedy High School in Bellmore had three semifinalists

1. Brett Gossett
2. Ross Iscowitz
3. Ross Shulman

• General Douglas MacArthur High School in Levittown had two semifinalists

1. Melissa Beth Slyper
2. Jacklyn Marie Sullivan

• Wellington C. Mepham High School in Bellmore had one semifinalist

1. Bilal Siddiqui

• Sanford H. Calhoun High School in Merrick had one semifinalist

1. Asia Brown

• Oceanside High School had two semifinalists

1. Anoj Ilanges
2. David Allan Sheynberg

• George W. Hewlett High School in Hewlett had one semifinalist

1. Patricia Hanna Donskoy

• Valley Stream South High School in Valley Stream had one semifinalist

1. Mariyam Talat Qureshi

The semifinalists each received $1,000 in recognition of their scientific achievements. The schools where the semifinalists attend will also receive $1,000 per semifinalist. The town also commended the teachers and parents of the students for their contributions to the success of all 11 students.