During the Herrick Public Schools’ regular board of education meeting on May 3, student accolades abounded as the district recognized Herricks High School Class of 2018 valedictorian Esme Chen and salutatorian Janet Hsu. Junior Eish Maheshwari was also honored for advancing to the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair qualifier, earning first place in the Long Island Science and Engineering Fair and being selected as Yale Scientist Award Recipient.
Superintendent Fino Celano welcomed students, staff, families and community members to the meeting where he commended the students for their hard work and achievements. He invited Chen and Hsu up to the front of the room where he shared the students’ numerous academic accomplishments and extracurricular activities. Both students were awarded with a certificate of achievement.
Assistant Superintendent for Instruction Elizabeth Guercin spoke about Maheshwari’s accomplishments in the field of science. Maheshwari recently advanced from the regional level to the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair for his research project “Strategies for Tuning the Release Profile of Curcumin-Loaded Nanoparticles to Improve Drug Bioavailability and Optimize Sustainable Delivery.” Maheshwari will continue to compete for more than $5 million in prizes and scholarships at the world’s largest pre-college science fair. Celano awarded him with a certificate for his accomplishments and invited him up the front of the room to provide the community with an overview of his research.