July 17, 2008 - Melville, N.Y., - Commerce Bank recently announced the recipients of its annual American Dream Scholarship program, which awards $1,000 to local graduating seniors who achieve both academic excellence and serve the community.

In Nassau County, Commerce Bank gave scholarships to:Metaxia Tzakas, a Garden City South resident, who graduated from H. Frank Carey High School. Tzakas plans to attend the University of Pennsylvania, Pa., and major in engineering. Throughout high school, Tzakas was active on the board of treasurers, varsity lacrosse, Greek Orthodox youth association, and she was the Valedictorian.

Kristen Focella, a Garden City resident, who graduated from Garden City High School. Focella plans to attend Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., and major in business. Throughout high school, Focella was active in the habitat for humanity, National Honor Society, she was also a special needs volunteer and a tutor.

The American Dream Scholarships Program awarded scholarships to 225 community service-oriented high school seniors within the bank's market area of more than 470 stores. Commerce donated 225,000 in scholarship dollars this year. Nearly 7,000 students sought scholarships from the program.