Thomas F. Elustondo of Garden City, is the recipient of a $1,500 environmental scholarship awarded by the New York Water Environment Association (NYWEA), a statewide organization of water quality management professionals. NYWEA gives seven scholarships each year -- one $10,000 scholarship and six $1,500 scholarships -- to encourage outstanding students across New York State who are pursuing careers in environmental science or engineering. For more information on NYWEA scholarships, visit: www.nywea.org.

Elustondo graduated with honors from Garden City High School this June and is entering Columbia University in the fall to study environmental science/environmental engineering. He was Class President, a Siemens Science Competition semi-finalist, National Merit Scholar Finalist, National Hispanic Scholar, and a National Honor Society member. A French horn player, he excelled in the NYS High School Honors Band, All-County Band and the Tri-M Music Honor Society. He also won the National Spanish Exam Gold Award, the American Math Competition 12 Award, the William Bolin Award for Most Outstanding Work in Mathematics, and the American Legion Leadership Award. He attended prestigious summer experiences, including the NY Boys State Program, Siemens Summer Science Research Program and Brown University’s Alternative Energy Engineering Program. He also directed and coordinated educational events and volunteers at the Garden City Bird Sanctuary, to name only some of his many extracurricular activities. An alter server at The Church of St. Anne, Elustondo is the son of Patricia and Donald Elustondo of Garden City, NY.