Over the weekend, Assemblyman Brian Curran (Lynbrook-21st A.D.) hosted a “Young Leaders In The 21st” event. This event honored young people who make a positive difference in their community. The following people from Freeport were honored:

• Sarah Colton- As a student at Freeport High School, Sarah has demonstrated a profound commitment to academic excellence by maintaining a perfect GPA of 4.0 and excelling in a rigorous curriculum that includes a variety of AP and Honors courses. Her dedication to her studies reflects her strong work ethic and passion for learning. Sarah’s professional experiences further highlight her leadership abilities and dedication to making a positive impact in her community. In her role as a Legal Intern at the Village of Freeport, Sarah collaborated effectively with peers to complete complex projects, demonstrated strong communication skills in addressing constituents’ concerns and showcased her organizational skills by updating important documents to the cloud. During her time as an Assistant Counselor at Rolling River Day Camp, Sarah displayed compassion, creativity and leadership as she supervised and engaged young campers in a safe and enjoyable summer experience. Her ability to foster a sense of community, friendship and acceptance among the campers underscores her exceptional interpersonal skills and commitment to creating inclusive environments. Additionally, Sarah’s involvement as a Teacher’s Assistant at Central Synagogue - Beth Emeth and as President of the Rockville Centre BBYO chapter demonstrates her dedication to education, service and community leadership. Her roles in these organizations showcase her ability to inspire and empower others toward common goals.

• Jana Colton- As a student at Freeport High School, Jana has demonstrated academic excellence and a remarkable involvement in a diverse range of extracurricular activities that highlight her passion for leadership and service. From serving as a Section Leader in the Wind Ensemble to organizing events and raising funds for charity as a member of the Peer Leaders and AIDS Awareness Club, Jana consistently goes above and beyond in her contributions to her school and community. Jana’s participation in activities such as Future Problem Solvers, Student Government and as Vice President of her B’Nai Brith Girls’ Chapter showcases her strong drive for personal development and her willingness to take on new challenges. Her role as Secretary of the Students Against Destructive Decisions Club reflects her commitment to promoting a safe and healthy environment for her peers. Furthermore, Jana’s involvement in music programs like the Marching Band and Jazz Band demonstrates her creativity, teamwork and dedication to honing her musical talents. Her leadership roles within these groups as a Section Leader and Uniform Manager speak to her ability to inspire and motivate her peers toward common goals.

• Etienne Sasenarine- Etienne Sasenarine is our distinguished Salutatorian for the Class of 2024 and has an outstanding weighted grade point average of 107.5. Etienne will graduate with an Advanced Regents Diploma with Honors and Mastery in Math and Science. Etienne has excelled in eleven Honors level courses and eight Advanced Placement courses. He continues to challenge himself and is currently enrolled in five Advanced Placement classes. Etienne’s outstanding academic ability earned him the honor of being recognized as an AP Scholar with Distinction. Etienne is an exceptional leader and serves as the President of the National Honor Society and the Freeport Math Honor Society. He has been an integral member of the Mathletes Club, earning top scores for three consecutive years and serves as the President of the club. He also serves as the Vice President of Science Olympiad, team captain and lead programmer for the VEX Robotics team at Adelphi University, President of the Chess Club and he is a member of the Freeport Science Honor Society. He has dedicated many hours to community service through his participation in the STEP program at Adelphi University where he served as a referee for the LEGO Robotics competition and guided new students during orientation. He is also a volunteer at the Freeport Public Library where he helps in the Children’s Room. Etienne has been celebrated for his academic success as the recipient of the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Medal, Rochester Institute of Technology Computing Award and the Rochester Institute of Technology Humanities and Social Science Award. His unwavering work ethic has also earned him the Presentation Award at the BELL Advanced Vertical Robotics Regional Championship, the Exemplary Team Award at the BELL AVR National Championship and the Judge’s Award at the VEX Robotics State Championship. Etienne has been accepted to Cornell University and the University of Pennsylvania. He plans to major in Computer Science.

“Young people are powerful. All throughout history, youth movements have had a tremendous impact on the way society thinks, acts and runs. Even today, it is young people who continue to lead the charge in the fight for equality and justice for all. I want to encourage young people to be bold. Change the world. Don’t be afraid to be a part of something bigger. Young people are a powerful group, and with great power comes great responsibility. Use your powers to make our small planet a better place Sarah, Jana and Etienne are great examples of young leaders,” Curran said.