Pearl River Student Receives SUEZ-NAWC Scholarship

PEARL RIVER, NY — SUEZ and the New York Chapter of the National Association of Water Companies (NAWC) announced the recipients of $3,000 scholarships designed to assist high school seniors pursue degrees related to the water industry. The winners — including Samantha Oates from Pearl River High School — were honored at an awards dinner at the Hotel Thayer in West Point.

“We know that it’s critically important to support bright, hard-working young people who will serve as the future leaders of the water industry,” said Chris Graziano, vice president of SUEZ operations in New York. “This program helps students gain the resources they need to pursue higher education in STEM-related fields.”

An independent panel of judges reviewed the applications. They were Rossen Trendafilov, professor, St. Thomas Aquinas College; Tom Brizzolara, director of public affairs, Orange & Rockland Utilities, and Natasha Shea, principal, Hudson Valley P-TECH.

The scholarships were awarded to:

Rockland County

Jillian Busetto, a resident of Pomona, attends Academy of the Holy Angels High School. She is captain of the robotics team and captain of the varsity volleyball team. Busetto will study mechanical engineering at Columbia University and plans to join Engineers Without Borders so she can focus on water sanitation in developing countries.

Samantha Oates attends Pearl River High School where she is a member of several Honor Societies. She is captain of the varsity field hockey team and a member of the track team. Oates will attend Syracuse University and study chemical engineering. She wants to use her interest in chemistry to address water scarcity issues.

Marc Wolf is a student at Suffern High School where he is a member of several Honor Societies, a member of the marching band and president of the Environmental Activism Club. He will attend Tufts University and wants to become an environmental attorney.

Westchester County

Michael Calano, a senior at New Rochelle High School, is a member of several Honor Societies and volunteers at the Westchester Animal Shelter. In September, he will be studying meteorology and atmospheric science at Penn State. Calano plans to earn a Ph.D. and focus on ocean cleanups.

Emma McCormack attends Hastings High School. She is a golfer, a violinist and president of the Latin Club. She is also the recipient of several science awards including the Stockholm Junior Water Prize. McCormack will study Civil and Environmental Engineering at Villanova.

SUEZ serves about 500,000 people in Rockland and Westchester counties.