Four local graduating seniors received Certificates of Award totaling $4,000 in the 13th Annual William A. Haps Scholarship Awards ceremony, held at Wantagh Fire Headquarters, Tuesday evening, June 4. The students all live within the Wantagh Fire District and attend MacArthur, Wantagh, Island Trees and the Seaford High Schools. Each student will receive $1,000 on entering the college of their choice.

The awards were presented in memory of William A. Haps, a 42-year veteran firefighter who died July 20, 1989. Commissioner Donald Snyder spoke of the students' achievements as family, friends and firefighters looked on. Making the presentations on behalf of the Haps family were Mr. Haps' grandsons, Bruce and Bill Bischoff, who are also Wantagh firefighters. Also present were Terry O'Connor, principal of Wantagh High School and Victor Longaro, principal of Island Trees High School and Michael Ragon, principal of Seaford High School.

Chris Anson of Wantagh High School has an unweighted average of 91.2 percent and ranks sixth in his class, scoring a combined 1260 score on his SATs.

Chris is a member of the National Honor Society and has earned the Scholar Athlete Award in all four years of high school. He has achieved a perfect attendance record in his ninth and tenth grades.

Active in track, Chris has been selected as an All Conference and All Division participant in winter track for all four years. He has earned his letters in cross country and has served as the captain of the spring track team. Chris has been awarded the Presidential Fitness Award in his ninth, 10th and 11th years and has served as an assistant track coach for St. Francis CYO in 2000 and 2001. He has competed in the Long Island Marathon (26.2 miles) and placed second in his age group.

In addition, Chris has served as a PAL softball umpire, is certified as a Town of Hempstead lifeguard and is a summer recreation counselor.

Chris has been a member of the Wantagh Symphonic and Marching Band and has been active with the American Legion, having been a bugler during special ceremonies. He, along with his brother, Jonathan, participated in the Wantagh Fire Department's 100th Anniversary Memorial Service. Chris has also played Taps during the funerals of three firefighters killed in the attack upon the World Trade Center on Sept. 11.

Chris has achieved his Eagle Scout Award with Palm in October 2000 and for an Eagle Scout project he refurbished the Garden of Hope (Sunrise Highway and Old Mill Road) in 1999 and again in 2000.

Chris hopes to attend Binghamton University this fall, majoring in biology and chemistry followed by a career in medicine or research. His mother Rita, father Richard, brother Jonathan and sister Jacqueline, accompanied him.

Susan Schneider of MacArthur High School has a weighted average of 103.32 and ranks seventh in her class. She has scored 1290 on her SATs and has never scored below a 90 on a Regents.

Susan is a member of the Key Club and has participated in a number of community projects. She has been a mentor to younger children as well as a companion and friend to senior citizens.

Susan is an avid musician and is a member of the Band, Symphonic Orchestra, Marching Band, Winter Ensemble, Pit Orchestra, Chamber Club and the Winter Wind Ensemble Group.

Susan has been active for the past seven years in the Toys for Sick Children Program, having collected, wrapped and distributed toys to our local hospitals.

Susan will attend Quinnipiac College where she will pursue a career in occupational therapy. Her mother Kris, father Jeff and brother Daniel accompanied her.

Peter Moran of Island Trees High School has an 89 percent average and ranks in the top 20 percent of his graduating class. He has scored 1100 on his SATs.

Peter is a member of the National Honor Society, the Science Olympiad and has been a member of the school newspaper. He is a trumpeter in the Jazz Band and has been a member of the football and lacrosse teams. Peter has also participated in the Drama and Spanish Clubs and is listed in the Who's Who Among High School Students.

Peter has been active in Explorer Post 690 of the Wantagh Fire Department and has assisted in the fire departments' Fire Prevention Program as well as other activities within the fire department.

Peter will attend Sienna College and major in English. He hopes to follow a career with the NYC Fire Department. His mother Rose, his father Kevin and sister Katlyn accompanied Peter.

Allison Chemick of Seaford High School has a weighted average of 97.78 and ranks 33rd in her graduating class. She attained a score of 1070 on her SATs.

Allison is a member of the National Honor Society and has been on the High Honor Roll for the past four years. She has been a member of the Student Council and is one of two students selected to serve on the School District Committee to hire a new principal and teachers.

Allison has been a varsity and junior varsity cheerleader throughout her high school career and has participated in the cheerleading finals held at Disney World.

Allison has coordinated the Holiday Toy Drive, Food Drive, Clothing Drive and Flower Sale. In addition she has been a Blood Drive volunteer, on the Yearbook Committee and has served as a Senior Citizen Prom Volunteer having been a member of the Senior Humanities Career Internship Project.

She has also been a member of the Track Team and has taken classes in ballet, tap, jazz, modern and hip-hop.

Allison will attend the University of Delaware this fall and will pursue a career in medicine, with a focus on research. Her mother Helene accompanied her.

After the presentations, the scholarship recipients along with family and friends retired to the company room for refreshments provided by the Ladies Auxiliary.