Ossining Student Is a Coca-Cola Scholar Semifinalist

Ossining High School senior Julia Piccirillo-Stosser was recently named a 2019 Coca-Cola Scholar semifinalist.

The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation chose the 1,896 semifinalists from more than 95,000 applications submitted by students across the country. Julia and the other semifinalists submitted additional information to the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation for the next round of the competition. The group will select 250 regional finalists by the end of January and 150 winners in March. Each winner will receive a $20,000 scholarship.

“We believe that identifying these young leaders throughout the country and encouraging their passion for serving others not only empowers the students, but also lifts up those around them,” said Jane Hale Hopkins, president-elect of the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation.

When the 2019 winners are announced, the foundation will have awarded more than $69 million to over 6,150 scholars in 31 years.

Applicants are evaluated on their leadership, academics and service to the community. Julia is president of the OHS Student Council and secretary of the Class of 2019. She is vice president of the Drama Club and performs in school musicals. She is also a member of the Human Rights Club, and she is a peer tutor and peer mentor.

Julia has participated in three varsity sports throughout high school: soccer, and indoor and outdoor track and field.

She has completed two projects in OHS' Science Research Program. The first was with her twin sister, Sabrina, and classmate Kiara Taveras. They researched the presence of anti-fungal bacteria on the skin of the eastern redback salamander in relation to habitat. The team placed third in animal science at the 2018 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair and first at the Genius Olympiad for their work.

For her individual project, Julia designed, produced and tested two transgenic wheat proteins that can be used to prevent the immune activation associated with celiac disease. Celiac disease is the most common genetic-based food intolerance and is characterized by the immune system’s response to wheat-gluten proteins. Transgenic refers to an organism with genes from another organism placed in its genome.

Julia has applied to a number of colleges and is waiting to hear about acceptances. She plans to study international business and marketing.