Sewanhaka student Zueriella Predestin honored by Nassau Boces

Zueriella Predestin, a Sewanhaka school district student who attends Nassau BOCES Career Preparatory High School, earned the prestigious George Farber Outstanding Student Award this year.

The award celebrates a variety of Predestin’s remarkable attributes including passion, perseverance, enthusiasm, outstanding character, scholarship and a willingness to help others. She was honored with the achievement by administrators and members of the Nassau BOCES Board during a special awards ceremony this spring.

Predestin graduated with a Regents diploma and certification as a professional cosmetologist in June. She passed the National Occupational Competency Career Preparatory High School Testing Institute exam, as well as the Health and Safety exam. She is currently studying for the New York State Board exam, which will enable her to obtain her cosmetology license. Her eventual goal is to own and operate her own business. 

Predestin is a top-tier student, who has achieved a place on the honor roll every marking period and earned a number of academic awards. She was also a driving force in creating the new Cosmetology Club at Career Prep.

In addition to her work at Nassau BOCES, she is enrolled in an off-campus program at Hofstra University and has attended hair shows at the Javitz Center in New York City. Predestin enjoys using her talents to help enrich the lives of others. She visits nursing homes to give manicures to the elderly, and regularly does hair for her classmates. She acts as a peer tutor in the classroom, assisting her fellow students in reading and social studies.

“Zueriella Predestin is an exemplary role model with an incomparable work ethic,” her award nominator wrote in a news release. “She excels in academics, as demonstrated by her numerous awards, and is equally committed to helping others and giving back to her community. Though she has her hands full with her studies and preparing for a career, she is always happy to make time for her peers. Zueriella has the makings of a true leader.”

For the past 16 years, outstanding students have earned this award in memory of former Nassau BOCES Board President George Farber, whose passion for improving the lives of students was surpassed only by his love and care for them. Farber was the longest-serving board member in Nassau County, having served from 1971 to 2009.

To learn more about the Nassau BOCES George Farber Outstanding Student Award and to see the stories of this year’s winners, visit NassauBOCES.org/OutstandingStudents.