Mid-Hudson Area Retired Teachers awards scholarships to future educators

WARWICK — Sean Rice, a senior at Warwick Valley High School, is one of three students to receive a $3,000 scholarship from the Mid-Hudson Area Retired Teachers association.

The group makes its awards to students who are committed to becoming educators.

In addition to Rice, the other students are Taylor DeMarco from Marlboro High School and Stephanie Niknam of Minisink Valley High School.

Sean Rice
Sean Rice has been very active in the Warwick Valley High School Drama Club, being cast in every production throughout his high school career.

He is president of the Warwick Valley Advisory Bureau and is active in other music/artistic clubs at Warwick.

He is a member of the National Honor Society and the Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society.

He is active in the Boy Scouts of America and earned the rank of Eagle Scout by completing all requirements, including a community service-based leadership program.

In the fall, Sean will be attending the College of Mount Saint Vincent for Adolescent Math Education (7-12) in a five-year BA/MA program.

He is minoring in Theatre: Acting/Directing Track.

Taylor DeMarco
Taylor DeMarco attends the New Vision Education Program at Orange-Ulster BOCES. She has been extremely active in numerous clubs and organizations; such as, The National Honor Society, the OU BOCES CTEC Society for Tolerance, and the 2013 Girls State Representative for Marlboro High School, where she participated in a one week retreat at SUNY Brockport. She is the captain of the Marlboro High School Varsity Swim Team.

In the fall, Taylor will be attending SUNY Oneonta pursuing a degree in Secondary Education Mathematics and Special Education.

Stephanie Niknam
Stephanie Niknam attends the New Vision Education Program at Orange-Ulster BOCES. She has wanted to be a teacher since her first day in Kindergarten.

She is active in her community and feels that Minisink Valley School District is one of the most important communities to her. She has organized small acts of kindness in her school. She is a member of the Minisink Valley High School’s National Honor Society.

In the fall, Stephanie will be attending SUNY Oneonta pursuing a degree in Childhood Education with a concentration In English.