Israa Hadine didn’t know she would be announced as a winner of the Rensselaer Medal Tuesday night.
The award is a merit scholarship worth $160,000 – $40,000 per year. It’s given by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute to an outstanding student interested in studying science, engineering and technology, should they decide to attend the college.Hadine did have an inkling, though. For one, she was a junior invited to Poughkeepsie High School’s Annual Awards and Scholarships Celebration, a night generally reserved for seniors.
“I’m so grateful,” she said. “I definitely worked hard for what I received.”
Not to be outshined by a member of the Class of 2026, Poughkeepsie High School’s graduating seniors also worked hard for what the whopping amount of awards they received Tuesday.
More than $171,000 in scholarships – in addition to that Rensselaer Medal – were officially announced at the ceremony, a total that is roughly 20% higher than last year.
Throughout the year, members of the school staff work not only to expose students to higher education opportunities but also to connect them with scholarship applications and offers. Among other efforts, College Readiness and Workforce Education Counselor Kelly Semexant maintains a running list of available scholarships, complete with requirements and deadlines, and circulates each through ParentSquare messages to students and staff. “Seeing the total amount award go up by nearly 20% feels like proof that all of those nudges, reminders and extra efforts paid off for the students,” she said.Semexant and 12th grade counselor Stacy Lee ran the presentation, with other members of the staff and some representatives from specific scholarships also speaking and presenting awards. The annual ceremony is not only an opportunity to announce the outcome of scholarship applications but also for staff to give recognition awards in specific areas of academics or service. At the start of the ceremony, each student who will finish high school with an average of 90 or better was announced and brought onto the stage.
In addition to the new scholarships, two previously announced recipients were also honored Tuesday: juniors Rob Miranda and Aubrey Wood won the Rochester Institute of Technology’s Computing Award and Women in STEM Award, respectively. The awards each represent scholarships valued at $96,000 – $24,000 per year – should the student choose to attend RIT.
Thirty different seniors Tuesday were announced as scholarship recipients. Nine students each walked away with scholarships totaling at least $10,000 cumulatively. Among them, nine students were awarded $5,000 each from the Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union, two students won $8,000 Applewood Leadership scholarships, two won $6,000 Joseph H. Mildred C. McManus scholarships, and nine won $1,000 Poughkeepsie Public Schools Foundation scholarships, in addition to many others. Board of Education Member Dr. Andrew Rieser announced those that were awarded by the board.In providing opening and closing remarks, Assistant Principal Joseph Mazzetti called the students “leaders of tomorrow,” and implored them to continue making positive impacts on the world.
“Recognition is not just about celebrating their achievements, it’s about celebrating their potential to inspire change,” he said.
Valedictorian Jhanae Stewart walked away with several awards – but most notably the $2,000 Justin Andrew McClain Scholarship, as it came with an oversized, Publisher’s Clearing House-style check. Megan Gomes, mother of the late McClain, said Stewart’s application essay “just spoke to me.” The Poughkeepsie High School graduate died in May 2024 at the age of 23.“There were so many parallels to Justin’s own life,” Gomes said. “Jhanae started crocheting in the midst of the pandemic. Justin made masks for the community and for my job in the midst of the pandemic because he loved fashion.” 
Stewart said the ceremony is something students look forward to each year.
“The majority of us have been submitting scholarship entries,” she said. “Finally, we find out if we got them or not. There’s a feeling of satisfaction that an entire year of hard work has paid off.”
Karyne Perez-Rojas remembered attending as a member of the AFJROTC during her sophomore year, thinking she would be among those receiving honors one day. Tuesday she won the Peter Ulbrandt Memorial Award. “This is exciting,” she said.
Hadine praised the ceremony, as well. “I feel like honors students, valedictorian, salutatorian, they should get the recognition they deserve,” the junior said. “They worked for four years. This night is the perfect night to do so.”
As for the Rensselaer Medal, she’s keeping her options open before committing to RPI.
“I still have a year,” she said. “I’m just going to take it one step at a time.”