Hicksville Student Places First in Statewide Competition

Hicksville High School freshman Alaha Nasari earned first place in New York State for the Voice of Democracy audio essay contest hosted by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, and traveled to Washington, D.C., on an all-expense paid trip to compete at the national level.

Nasari, who is a student in Heather Stavrinadis’s Pre-AP World History class, has the opportunity to earn a $30,000 scholarship if she is selected as the winner of the contest. She began her quest for the national award by first competing at the regional level, where she also earned first place.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States is a nonprofit veterans service organization dedicated to promoting patriotism and investing in the future generation. Nasari was sponsored by the William M. Gouse Jr. VFW Post 3211 in Hicksville.

Story by Syntax, Photos courtesy of Hicksville Public Schools: From left, Hicksville High School Principal Ray Williams, Alaha Nasari, Hicksville High School teacher Heather Stavrinadis and Hicksville Public School District Social Studies and Home & Careers Supervisor Rose Borda.