(Albany, NY) – Senator David Carlucci (D-Rockland/Westchester) presented Clarkstown High School North senior, Logan Meda with a $3,500 college scholarship on behalf of the New York Conference of Italian-American State Legislators.

Carlucci, a member of the conference, annually holds the Italian-American Scholarship contest in his district, which is open to all college bound seniors who excel in academics or athletics.

Meda was one of four winners from across the state chosen by the conference for his outstanding academic success and his personal essay on the need to reduce gun violence.  Meda founded his high school’s Students Against Gun Violence chapter, maintains a 99.7 grade point average, is a member of the varsity winter track and field team, and joined the New City Volunteer Ambulance Youth Corps. In school, he is a member of the National Honor Society and the Mu Alpha Theta Honor Society, in which he serves as an officer. Meda is involved with student government and has served as his Class Vice President for three years. As a result of his dedication to his academics, Meda has been named Salutatorian of his graduating class.

“It is exciting that this year’s recipient is from Rockland County,”said Senator David Carlucci.  “Logan is very deserving of this prestigious scholarship, not only because of his academic rigor, but his efforts to prevent gun violence.”

“I would like to thank Senator Carlucci and the New York conference of Italian-American State Legislators for this scholarship award,” said Logan Meda. “It is truly an honor to be selected for the scholarship.”

Eligibility for this year’s winners was rigorous. Students who applied for the Assemblyman James D. Conte Memorial Academic Scholarship were not only judged on their grades, but their interest in pursuing a higher education degree, involvement in the local community, and individual financial need.

In the fall, Meda plans to attend Northeastern University in Boston. Although currently an undecided major, he has interests in psychology, neuroscience, political science, and U.S. history.

The New York Conference of Italian-American State Legislators gave out two Assemblyman James D. Conte Memorial Academic Scholarships and two Senator John J. Marchi Memorial Athletic Scholarships. All college scholarships were in the amount of $3,500, and students did not have to be of Italian-American heritage to apply. The Conference has been awarding these scholarships for 16 years.

The conference’s mission is to promote and celebrate the state’s Italian-American community, elevate and highlight Italian-American contributions in all aspects of society, and dispel negative stereotypes of Italian-Americans.