Three students are finalists for scholarship

Three Queens students are finalists in the Working In Support of Education (WISE) competition for their projects on how they would improve the quality of life in their neighborhoods.
The students - Anglina Kataria, a Middle Village resident and senior at Christ the King High School, Lisa Liu of Woodside and senior at Townsend Harris High School, and Stephanie Scarnati of Whitestone and a junior at Benjamin Cardozo - are three of 12 finalists for nearly $35,000 in scholarships for the top-four projects.
The winners will be announced at the 11th Annual Quality of Life Awards on Tuesday, June 6 at 3:15 p.m. at Deutsche Bank on Wall Street in Manhattan. More than 1,500 students throughout the city submitted more than 650 projects focusing on a number of issues including the environment, healthcare, education and immigration, and then coming up with ways to integrate these issues into improving their neighborhood.
“The students really put their hearts into their projects,” said Phyllis Frankfort, President of WISE. “The submissions were insightful and show a remarkable amount of resourcefulness.”
Liu explored the problem of maintaining neighborhood parks and suggested local leaders not ignore the parks. In addition, she encouraged park users to take it upon themselves and volunteer to help maintain the parks.
Scarnati researched the benefits of breaking down the stereotypes that some students have towards special education students. She suggested an e-mail pen pal program to help mainstream students get to know and understand students with special needs.
Kataria, Christ the King’s valedictorian this year, focused her project on extensive research into the risk factors for developing breast cancer in patients who combine alcohol and hormone replacement therapy.
All three Queens finalists had the opportunity to meet with Borough President Helen Marshall, who was very impressed with the students’ work. “There were some really well-thought-out projects represented here,” she said. “I hope that the passion you have shown in your work here is present in the work you choose as a career,” she told them.
The first place winner will receive a $17,500 scholarship award, second place $9,000, third place $6,000 and a $2,000 stipend will be presented to the honorable mention winner