As the summer winds down, Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato (D-Rockaway Beach) today officially thanked her interns, Daniella Ciniglio of Howard Beach and Claudia Dana of Neponsit, for their “incredible hard work, their enthusiasm, and their tireless service to the people of this district.” The two Scholars Academy rising seniors have been coming several days per week to Pheffer Amato’s office in Rockaway Beach, conducting legislative research, constituent casework, public outreach, office management and logistics for Pheffer Amato’s main district office.

“These two young women are just incredible,” said Pheffer Amato. “They really are the best and the brightest. They have boundless enthusiasm for the legislative process, a sincere desire to help their neighbors, a stellar work ethic and the flexibility to handle the ever-changing environment of a legislative office with aplomb. I know they’re going on to great things, and it was an honor and a true benefit for my office and my constituents to be there at the start of their journey. I congratulate them and I wish them the best of luck in their senior year!”

Dana is a member of many clubs at Scholars Academy, including the Student Government, Newspaper, Model UN, Band, Chemistry Club, Archery, Gay Straight Alliance and Student Mentoring. “My motivation to be so involved stems from my goal to make the world a better place for more people,” said Dana. “I don't know exactly how I’ll do that, but I’ve discovered a passion for government and politics, and so I hope to pursue a career in the political sphere.” Ciniglio has been at Scholars Academy since 7th grade, and aspires to go to law school. She, too, “wants to be involved with the political world.” “I have always felt as though the best way to make a change is to be on the side of the law,” she said. “As of now, I would like to specialize in women’s law and/or civil rights law. I want to contribute to pushing us all towards a more accepting world.”