From 2019 salutatorian, to Seaford 9/11 Committee Patriot Award winner, to Fulbright Scholar, Eric Schneider is truly one of Seaford's finest

Eric Schneider, the salutatorian in Seaford High School’s Class of 2019, will take his young career to new heights when he travels to Africa as a Fulbright Scholar.

Schneider was recently awarded a Fulbright Scholarship, and will take his knowledge and desire to help others to the Ivory Coast, a country on the southern coast of West Africa. He expects to leave in late August or early September, and spend nine months teaching English to the French-speaking population. He applied for the scholarship last August, and was told he had won it in April.

“I wanted to choose something that was different than me,” Schneider said of his decision to apply for the program in the Ivory Coast. “I’m sure there’s going to be a great culture shock, and that’s something I embrace. The Fulbright is a really renowned program, and I think it will be useful, both professionally and personally.”

Schneider, a lifelong Seaford resident, was named one of the Seaford 9/11 Memorial Committee’s Patriots, also in 2019.

He is a member of a multigenerational Seaford family — his grandmother Dorothy Meinke just turned 103, and has lived in Seaford for more than 70 years.

Schneider attended elementary school at Seaford Manor before going to Seaford Middle

School and Seaford High School. A well-rounded student, Schneider took advantage of all of the academic opportunities offered to him by the Seaford School District.

“I was really interested in history and science, especially in high school,” Schneider said. “I took courses like biotechnology and other things offered.”

He said Janine Cupo, who is retiring this year, and Kevin O’Reilly, who taught mathematics, were two of his favorite teachers. Ina Ionescu, who taught French, also made an impact on him, he said.

In addition to being the Class of 2019 salutatorian, Schneider was also class president. He ran cross country and spring track and performed in several theater productions.

In 2019, he attained one of the highest honors a Wantagh-Seaford area resident can receive — the Seaford 9/11 Memorial Committee named him a Patriot. He was one of the five students the committee names every year, after a rigorous application process, to honor the five Seaford High School alumni lost on Sept. 11. The award comes with a scholarship as well.

After graduating second highest in his class, Schneider attended Fordham University, where he double-majored in International Studies and French.

“International Studies is very broad,” Schneider said. “You could do a regional track, focusing on a certain region of the world, or you could do global. I decided to do global studies, which is essentially like global diplomacy and multilateral organizations. It is interdisciplinary between political science and cultural studies.”

Even though he is technically a member of Fordham’s Class of 2023, Schneider graduated a semester early in December 2022. He stayed in New York City after finishing college, working at Goddard Riverside Community Center, where he had done some work as a student as well.

“I qualified for federal work study while in college,” Schneider said. “I worked at a neighborhood center around the block from Fordham, where I was doing reading and math tutoring at certain types of after school programs. After college, I became their program director.”

He served in that role until May, when he got an internship through the College to Congress program. Schneider is now an intern for Rep. Brian Higgins, who represents a portion of upstate New York.

No matter where he ends up, Schneider said he would never forget the upbringing he received in Seaford.

“I miss Seaford a lot,” he said. “I love the city, but it’s different from walking outside of my house in Seaford. The air is different. The whole vibe is different — it’s relaxing. You get the best of both worlds, being in a quiet town but so close to both the city and the beach.”

Seaford High School administrators said Schneider has had a lasting impact on the school district.

“We had no doubt that Eric was going to be an inspiration,” said Nicole Schnabel, high school principal who was assistant principal when Schneider attended.

“Wherever he landed after super high school, he inspires people around him to achieve greatness. He is doing the right thing, when no one’s watching. He wants to make the world a better place, which he does by him simply being a part of this world. He’s a shining star and we are so proud of him.”