The students were awarded $1,600 in scholarships by the Nassau BOCES Educational Foundation through the Dr. Robert R. Dillon Awards, presented in memory of the former Nassau BOCES District Superintendent, who passed away last summer. 

At the family’s request, donations were made to the Foundation in Dr. Dillon’s memory. To date, those donations have totaled more than $13,000, a portion of which funded a special student award at each Nassau BOCES school/program completion ceremony to honor and recognize the far-reaching impact that Dr. Dillon had on education.

“These awards recognize and honor Dr. Dillon’s commitment to ensuring that all students be provided with equal opportunities and serve as a reminder of his passion for education,” said Anthony Fierro, Chairperson of the Foundation and long-serving Chief Administrator of the Nassau BOCES Department of Facilities Services and Capital Projects.

There are three distinct categories for the Dr. Robert R. Dillon Awards:  

1. Dr. Robert R. Dillon Core Values Champion Award: This award recognizes a student who displays a spirit of kindness and upholds, embraces and embodies the Nassau BOCES core values of Compassion, Equity, Excellence, Integrity and Respect.
2. Dr. Robert R. Dillon Exemplary Citizenship and Leadership Award: This award recognizes a student who has shown exceptional and impactful leadership skills and fostered positive and productive relationships both inside and outside of school. 
3. Dr. Robert R. Dillon Outstanding Teamwork Award: This award recognizes a student who has demonstrated exceptional skills in team-focused activities and working collaboratively with others to achieve positive outcomes for the greater good. 

Winners of the inaugural awards each received a $100 scholarship and certificate during their school/program’s completion celebration. The student recipient, Nassau BOCES school/program and home school districts are listed below. 

Dr. Robert R. Dillon Core Values Champion Award winners 

Makayla Ashley  
In-District Career and Technical Education Program
Roosevelt UFSD 

Michael Benitez Granados
Willet Avenue School
Glen Cove City SD 

Bryan Hernandez
Iris Wolfson High School
Hempstead UFSD 

Bilal Khawar
Rosemary Kennedy School
Valley Stream CHSD 

Halle Peace
Career Preparatory High School
Bethpage UFSD 

Angel Reyes Lopez
Seaman Neck Middle School
Hempstead UFSD 

Joseph Mahoney
GC Tech, Construction Electric
Levittown UFSD

Leon Nelson II
Adult Education, Automotive Institute
North Baldwin 

Aubree Neumann
Children's Readiness Center
North Bellmore UFSD 

Anastasia Ortiz
Carman Road School
Island Trees UFSD 

Alexi Romero
Robert Williams School
Westbury UFSD 

Lola Rubinstein
Barry Tech, Veterinary Science
Bellmore-Merrick CHSD 

Dr. Robert R. Dillon Exemplary Citizenship and Leadership Award winners 

Wilem Hernandez
Jerusalem Avenue Elementary School
Uniondale UFSD 

Karina Licitra
Center for Community Adjustment (CCA)
Long Beach City SD 

Luisaury Collado Recio
Twilight Alternative High School Program at Freeport
Freeport UFSD 

Dr. Robert R. Dillon Outstanding Teamwork Award:

Addison Moore 
Long Island High School for the Arts, Production Managerial Arts
Massapequa UFSD