Massapequa Student Earns Service Award For Animal Rights Activism

A devoted animal rights activist, Massapequa High School senior Daniel Balsamo was recently presented with the 2020 President’s Volunteer Service Award for his dedication to the cause. The award is a state-level honor through the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program which recognizes Americans of all ages who have volunteers significant amounts of their time to serve their communities and country.

Balsamo, who regularly attends animal rights events and rallies in New York City, recently started a non-profit organization called Liberation NYC. His organization is preparing for its inaugural conference in April, which is expected to draw 300 to 400 people and will include guest speakers and educational workshops. He said that goal is to educate people about animal rights.

Animal rights has been an important issue for Balsamo for several years, and he is particularly concerned about the treatment of animals within in the agricultural system. He first got involved with Anonymous for the Voiceless, an organization that specializes in educating the public on animal exploitation and fosters activism groups worldwide. He added that his fight for animal rights comes from the heart.

At Massapequa High School, Balsamo is a member of the science research program with a concentration on super conductors. He recently was accepted into NYU, which he will attend in the fall to study physics.