Tag Scholarship

Wheatley’s Michael Medvedev Commits to Williams College!

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The Wheatley Athletic Program is honored to recognize the accomplishments of Michael Medvedev. Michael has signed a letter of commitment to continue his impressive academic and tennis career at Williams College, in the NESCAC Conference.

Michael is a returning “Senior Captain” for the Wildcats, and a returning “All Conference” member of our varsity boy’s tennis team. Michael helps to organize practices and takes care of pre-game responsibilities. As our most complete player, he performs at the highest level on the court and continually adds spirit and charisma, keeping the team motivated and enthused. He was a major contributor on our 2017 second place finish in Conference IIA, finishing his junior campaign undefeated during the regular season. This year, Michael will lead by effort, attitude and example, hoping to carry his young team to the Nassau County Tennis Championships again this season.

Michael’s outstanding transcript speaks for itself. He has excelled in the most rigorous course of study at The Wheatley School.  Michael has earned membership in the National Honor Society and is an AP Scholar with Honors. Michael is also the founder of a nonprofit organization, Serve4Underserved. Michael established this organization with the goal of bringing tennis equipment and clothing to the youth and communities in underserved neighborhoods in the tri-state New York area.

Michael is a nationally ranked USTA tennis player. He has been playing tennis since the age of 3, following in the footsteps of his mother who played competitively in Moscow and at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Michael’s love of tennis and his schedule of competitions challenged him to become an expert at time management. It also required Michael to miss many of the “normal” teenage activities that fill the weekends, such as birthday and other parties, hanging out with schoolmates and participating in other activities.  Michael’s ability to adjust to all the demands and requirements of school, tennis and friendships has served him well.  Michael has volunteered what little time he had free to teach tennis at the Kings County Tennis League and at Maria Sharapova and Friends Charity Event.

Michael signed his Letter of Intent to attend Williams College in Williamstown, MA to compete in tennis.  His academic scholarship and athletic prowess will allow Michael to continue his pursuit of excellence. Congratulations to Michael and his family.

[Thanks to Tom Fitzpatrick for the write-up and the photos!]

Lianna Golden Earns Travel Scholarship!

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Lianna Golden, a junior at The Wheatley School, was recently awarded the Bertie Green Junior Travel Scholarship presented by the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese.  This award, valued at over $3,000, is given to only 24 Spanish Hoor Society students nationally. Lianna was selected for her essay and video interview highlighting her interest in Ecuadoran culture and how this travel experience might affect her life. Lianna will be traveling to Ecuador from June 27-July 6 with her peers from across the country.

Special thanks to her Lianna’s teacher, Mary Martinez, for encouraging her students to challenge themselves to go beyond the classroom.

Lianna hosted an exchange student from Peru last October and will be visiting Wheatley’s sister school, Colegio de San José de Monterrico, in Lima as a member of the Wheatley Peru Exchange program in May.  She is also participating in Wheatley’s trip to France and Switzerland during February vacation.

Congratulations, Lianna!

Aly Brier-Finkelstein Recognized with a Creative Empowerment Grant!

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Earlier this year, Aly Brier-Finkelstein (Class of 2015) was recognized with a Creative Empowerment Arts Grant. Aly earned the grant for her submission of a film, “A Helping Hand,” that she wrote, directed and edited. Aly’s artistic submission was in response to the following prompt:

Children and teens experience a more difficult and troubled life today than in  years gone by, as they struggle with: social pressures * drugs * sex * violence * low self-esteem * media & technology influences and pitfalls. What is your reaction to this struggle?  How can this situation be reversed?

Aly’s artistic statement accompanying her submission included the following statement:

My goal in creating A Helping Hand  was, in one continuous shot, to capture visually the myriad social challenges and negative influences bombarding teenagers daily.  From substance abuse, peer pressure, and the stress of standardized tests, to family struggles and even suicidal thoughts, my film explores the difference that just one person can make in someone’s life.  Ultimately, as the central character confronts his most vulnerable moment, only a true friend manages to help him climb his way back out of his downward spiral.

You can read more about the grant and view the film through the following link: Aly’s Creative Empowerment Grant Short Film

Last week, Creative Empowerment Founder/CEO Madonna Cole-Lacy came to Wheatley to present Aly with her $1000 scholarship check. Present at the meeting were Aly’s parents.

Katie Keller Commits!

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The Wheatley Athletic Program is honored to recognize the accomplishments of Katherine Keller. Katie Keller has signed a letter of commitment to The Citadel to compete in their cross country and track programs.

Katie, a senior captain for the Wildcats, has been honored by the Nassau County Cross Country Coaches and the Nassau County Girls track Coaches Association. Katie has been named All-Conference (2012, 2013, 2014), All-County-Class (2013) for Cross Country and All-Conference High Jump (2012, 2013, 2014) for Indoor Track and All-Conference High Jump (2013, 2014) and Conference Champ 4 X 800 (2014). This recognition is well deserved and validated by Katie’s performance on the cross country trails and track. Katie has made a commitment to her academics and athletics. Katie’s contributions have strengthened our program and made them very competitive. Katie continues to be fine example of sportsmanship, academics and athletic ability for all of our younger student-athletes to emulate.

[Thank you to Tom Fitzpatrick for the write-up of Katie’s recognitions!]

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Coach Dan Walsh, Katie’s mom and Coach Laura Gurick watch Katie’s signing

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Katie and her mother

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Katie was proud to wear her college choice on May 1st

Alana Leahy Signs a Letter of Intent!

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Across the country, this past Wednesday, 4 February, kicked off the Letter of Intent period for many Division 1 and 2 sports. At Wheatley, we had the pleasure of observing one of our own athletes sign such a letter.

Alana Leahy, a four year starter and two year captain for the Wildcats, has been honored by the Nassau County Soccer Coaches and the New York State Girls Soccer Coaches Association for her outstanding contributions to the Wheatley soccer team.  This recognition is well deserved. Outside of the Wheatley athletic program, she is a valued member of the East Meadow Explosion soccer team, which competes in the top division of Elite Clubs National League representing her team at numerous regional and national championships. Alana has been a fine example of sportsmanship, academics and athletic ability for all of our younger student-athletes to emulate.

On 4 February, Alana signed her National Letter of Intent to attend Fairfield University to play Division 1 soccer on scholarship.  This accomplishment is the culmination of a commitment to both athletic and academic excellence. Attending the letter signing were Alana’s parents and coach.

(Thanks to Tom Fitzpatrick for assistance with the write-up.)

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Night of Sports

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After our successful Fall Sports Celebration at the end of September, the Wildcat Athletic Foundation hosted a Night of Sports as a way of celebrating our Winter sports teams. The event was a tremendous success, with hundreds of spectators coming to view our fencing and basketball teams, along with our dance team and cheerleaders. Wheatley is fortunate to have such supportive parents!

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