Note: More media content is available for this story at BrooklynDaily.com.
By Joanna DelBuono
Brooklyn Daily
Bay Ridge
Xaverian High School student Peter Ferrarotto is in a class of his own after being awarded the First Robotics scholarship from Stevens Institute of Technology.
The $6,000 merit-based award is given to seniors who have participated on a First robotics team in their junior and senior years, and Peter is the first Xaverianite to get the award.
The nuts-and-bolts whiz kid has been involved with First Robotics since seventh grade, and says it has gained him wisdom and amazing friends.
“I started out in robotics inexperienced and young, thinking I knew everything there was to know, but robotics helped me to realize that I’m not perfect, and I need to study and work hard to accomplish my goals,” he said. “The hard work I’ve put in and the friends I’ve made have changed me a lot for the better.”
Peter’s accomplishments are top notch: He was offered the Steven’s Presidential Scholarship, and named a Stevens’ Honor Scholar. He also received presidential scholarships to Manhattan College and New York Institute of Technology, and a promise scholarship to NYU Polytechnic School of Engineering, where he intends to go in the fall.
Now, the wonder kid can add a Standing O to his bragging rights.
Xaverian High School [7100 Shore Rd. at 71st Street in Bay Ridge (718) 836–7100].
Bensonhurst
Welcome aboard
Standing O hears that Dr. Margaret Minson has been appointed president of Bishop Kearney High School.
Dr. Minson is the past executive director of Student Sponsor Partners, an organization devoted to addressing the city’s high-school dropout crisis by providing tuition scholarships and mentoring students from families living below the poverty line, so that they can attend and succeed in Catholic schools.
The Standing O pal is also a former veep for Institutional Advancement at Marymount Manhattan College and St. Joseph’s College. She holds degrees from St. Joseph’s College, Brooklyn College and Fordham University, and her educational background is in adolescent education.
Her appointment delighted Sr. Helen Kearney, president of the Sisters of St. Joseph.
“Margaret brings her love of education, dedication to students, and passion for our congregation’s mission to this new role,” she said.
Dr. Minton is understandably thrilled, too.
“I’m extremely pleased to be working with the Sisters of St. Joseph again, and to offer to the young women of Kearney the educational opportunities that the sisters offered to me,” she said.
Bishop Kearney High School (2202 60th St. at Bay Parkway in Bensonhurst, (718) 236–6363].
Start spreading the news
St. Athanasius School sixth-grader Anthony Orlando scored a slam dunk when he was named a runner-up in the “My Favorite New York Institution” essay contest for writing about the Barclays Center, home of the Brooklyn Nets.
The competition was co-sponsored by Office of the Superintendent Diocese of Brooklyn and MSG and Radio City Music Hall, which presented him with tickets to the Radio City Christmas Spectacular as part of his prize.
Now that’s what Standing O calls an equal-opportunity shout-out — Anthony wrote about Barclays Center in Brooklyn, and Radio City Music Hall in Manhattan is presenting him with kudos.
Standing O wants to know, “Anthony, is your favorite column Standing O?”
St Athanasius School [6120 Bay Pkwy. at 60th Street in Bensonhurst (718) 236–4791].
Mill Basin
Chip chip hooray
Mill Basin Veterinary Clinic is hosting a pet microchip event through April because one in three pets goes missing and without proper ID, 90 percent of them never return.
The microchip enrollment program is the best chance for a happy homecoming because a pet microchip ensures your beloved pooch or tabby won’t go astray.
The clinic is offering a 50-percent discount during April and one year of service for $25. So get chipping.
Mill Basin Veterinary Clinic [6315 Avenue N in Mill Basin, (718) 763–3777].