Sixteen Nassau BOCES students receive the annual Dr. Robert R. Dillon Awards through the Nassau BOCES Educational Foundation

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

“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 works collaboratively with others to achieve positive outcomes for the greater good.

The winners of the 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:

Iker Leon Asturias
Seaman Neck Middle School
Hempstead UFSD

Jeanmir Celestin
Center for Community Adjustment
Valley Stream CHSD

Shaquille Flash
Jerusalem Avenue Elementary School
West Hempstead UFSD

Damien Galindo
Children’s Readiness Center
Glen Cove City SD

Marvin Lamour
Adult Education
Baldwin

Star Lofton
Rosemary Kennedy School
Hempstead UFSD

Julie Ricotta
Long Island High School for the Arts
Lindenhurst UFSD

Riyad Saad
Twilight Alternative High School Program
Valley Stream CHSD

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

Sonia Galdamez Casasola
In-District Career and Technical Education Program
Roosevelt UFSD

Jared Marine
Barry Tech
Oceanside UFSD

Zeydi Portillo-Suazo
Career Preparatory High School
Westbury UFSD

Dr. Robert R. Dillon Outstanding Teamwork Award winners:

Sarai Blanco
Robert Williams School
Glen Cove City SD

Olivia DeLeo
Carman Road School
Farmingdale UFSD

Carter Layne
Willet Avenue School
Uniondale UFSD

Cosimo Mastropierro
GC Tech
Levittown UFSD

(Due to lack of Media Consent, the Iris Wolfson High School winner is not listed or in the photo.)

Photo caption: The winners of this year’s Dr. Robert R. Dillon Award, top row, from left: Iker Leon Asturias, Sarai Blanco, Jeanmir Celestin, Olivia DeLeo and Shaquille Flash. Middle row, from left: Sonia Galdamez Casasola, Damien Galindo, Marvin Lamour, Carter Layne and Star Lofton. Bottom row, from left: Jared Marine, Cosimo Mastropierro, Zeydi Portillo-Suazo, Julie Ricotta and Riyad Saad.