Albany County Residents Named BlueShield Scholars

Subtitle
17 students honored for demonstrating strong core values

Latham – BlueShield of Northeastern New York is proud to honor 107 local high school seniors, including 17 residents of Albany County, as the 2016 recipients of the 5th Annual BlueShield Scholars Award. Now in its fifth year, BlueShield has awarded over $125,000 to over 500 local students since the program’s inception.

BlueShield Scholars is an annual program recognizing exceptional high school seniors who are pursuing higher education for a career in the fields of health or human sciences. Local high school guidance counselors and administrators nominated deserving seniors that represent BlueShield’s core values of respect, personal responsibility, excellence, teamwork, passion, and integrity.

“A solid education plays a vital role in shaping the future of not only our children, but our community,” said Dr. Kirk Panneton, Vice President, Regional Executive and Medical Director, BlueShield of Northeastern New York.  “These hardworking students, their parents, and teachers, make our region a better place to live, work, and play. That’s why we’re proud to recognize this year’s Scholars and help provide opportunities for today and tomorrow.”

Each of the 107 winners receives a $250 scholarship towards his or her continuing education and a certificate of recognition. Extended profiles of each of the recipients are featured at bsneny.com/scholars.

Albany County Recipients
Scholar High School Attending College/University Intended Major

Jessica Berdar

Cohoes High School

Hofstra University

Physician Assistant

George Bushey

Colonie Central High School

Sarah Lawrence College

Biology

William Byron

Christian Brothers Academy

Rochester Institute of Technology

Biomedical Engineering

Matthew Darby

Guilderland High School

Ithaca College

Occupational Therapy

Grace DiRiso

Bethlehem Central High School

Undecided

Pre-Med

Scholar

High School

Attending College/University

Intended Major

Megan Frisbee

Schoharie High School

Russel Sage College

Pre-Med/Biology

Kimberly Guszman-Reyes

Albany Leadership Charter High School for Girls

Maria College

Nursing

Ar Kee

Albany High School

State University of New York at Buffalo

Biology/Pre-Med

Natalie Migliore

Watervliet Jr-Sr High School

Hartwick College

Nursing

Nicole Miller

Ravena Coeymans Selkirk High School

Stonybrook University

Pre-Med

Victoria Panzanaro

Emma Willard School

Undecided

Biology or Chemistry

Nafisa Rahman

Tech Valley High School

University at Albany

Pharmaceutical Studies

Josselyn Roosenberg

Loudonville Christian School

Undecided

Pre-Med

Catherine Smith

Shaker High School

SUNY Binghamton

Physical Therapy

Kaira Tragico

Bishop Maginn High School

University at Albany

Pre-Med

Savannah Wagoner

Berne-Knox-Westerlo Junior/Senior High School

Maria College

Nursing

Riley Williams

Academy of the Holy Names

Sacred Heart University

Nursing

About BlueShield of Northeastern New York:
BlueShield of Northeastern New York is a division of HealthNow New York Inc., an independent Licensee of the BlueCross BlueShield Association. Since 1946, BlueShield has helped millions of people lead healthier lives. BlueShield offers a full range of insured, self-insured, and government programs and services covering businesses, families, and individuals, as well as life and disability coverage, dental and vision plans and stop-loss coverage. As a community-based, not-for-profit health plan, BlueShield contributes significantly to organizations that promote physical health, community health and our region’s health.

For up-to-date news, facts, and information about the company, leadership, and industry, please visit the BlueShield News Center at bsneny.com/news or follow us on Twitter.

The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association is an association of 35 independent, locally operated Blue Cross and/or Blue Shield companies.