Spencer DeSena from Garden City High School has been honored as the "News 12 Long Island/Citibank Scholar Athlete of the Week," an award that recognizes significant achievements in the classroom as well as on the playing field as a member of the school's wrestling team. Next year, Spencer will be attending Harvard University.

Throughout the school year, News 12 Long Island and Citibank "Scholar Athlete," segments appear every Monday beginning at News 12 Long Island's 5:00 p.m. newscast. These popular segments, which highlight the area's top student athletes, have been a regular part of the News 12 Long Island evening newscast for more than ten years. The students that are selected are at the top of their class academically, and many participate and excel in more than one sport in their high schools. Athletic Directors at each local school are given the opportunity to nominate any potential "Scholar Athletes," and they or another school representative may submit that nomination for the student to become a "News 12 Long Island/Citibank Scholar Athlete of the Week". At the end of the school year, all of the honored students and their athletic directors are invited to a commemorative dinner where three will be chosen to receive scholarships totaling $4000. More than $50,000 in scholarships have awarded since the program began.

"Spencer DeSena represents the high levels of academic and athletic achievement that are hallmarks of the News 12 and Citibank Scholar Athlete program," said Patrick Dolan, President of News 12 Networks and News Director for News 12 Long Island. "We congratulate Spencer, his family, and Garden City High School for earning this recognition and we wish them continued success this school year and in all their future endeavors."