North Salem's Sarno Earns Millennium Scholarship from NYSFRW

NORTH SALEM, N.Y. - North Salem High School senior Andea Sarno has been awarded the Millennium Scholarship by the New York State Federation of Republican Women.

An intern with the North Salem Republican Town Committee, Andea was honored during the NYSFRW’s 105th annual conference, which was held in Albany on May 6.

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“I am so honored to have received the NYS Federation of Republican Women college scholarship and to be part of this beautiful country. May God bless America, the land that I love,” Andea told North Salem News.

Andea started traveling around the country and the world – including places such as Chile, Zambia, and Mexico -- with her biology professor parents when she was just five years old.

Among her fondest memories are of the trips the family made to the Badlands National Park in South Dakota with its dramatic landscapes, sprawling grasslands, towering mountains, and wildlife such as bison and bighorn sheep.

Andea loved to share her fascinating experiences with classmates and friends.

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Along the way, she developed a real love of science.

After deciding that biology wasn’t for her, she became intrigued by the forensic sciences, which, she said in her NYSFRW blurb, “solves crimes and helps people.”

“Forensics brings order and knowledge to our society. It makes sure to defend the innocent, which I think is the most important thing to do,” she wrote.

Andea also said she was grateful for her NSRTC internship experience because it helped her “understand how important Republican values are to a functioning legal and justice system.”

Being a Republican also meant a lot to the teen because it helped her “align to the principles of our Constitution,” she said.

“Although I have visited so many countries, there is no place like the United States. I am so proud to be an American and hope that I can contribute to society in my role as a forensic scientist. I am very grateful to the NYSFRW for honoring me with this academic scholarship."

Making a Difference

The Millennium Scholarship was established in 2000 in honor of First Lady Nancy Reagan. It’s intended to provide financial assistance and support to a female student who is graduating from an accredited high school.

“We’re very proud of her for receiving this award. She’s a very hard-working and smart young woman and we appreciate all her efforts on the committee,” said NSRTC Chair Nzingha Milanes.

Andea has, the NSRTC said, shown “exceptional dedication to conservative values” and also “demonstrated her commitment to making a difference in her community, paving the way for this well-deserved recognition.”

According to the NSRTC, at the conference Andea “delivered a compelling acceptance speech that resonated with leaders and dignitaries” from across the state.

“Her articulate delivery and impassioned advocacy for conservative principles earned her a standing ovation, highlighting her ability to inspire and lead,” it said.

In it, Andea expressed gratitude for the RSRTC’s and Milanes’s “mentorship and guidance.”

Milanes is also Andea’s O.P.T.I.O.N.S. supervisor.

The high school program is a credit-bearing, full-year course for seniors that aims to build bridges between school and the career world.

It encourages participants to explore careers of personal interest, to use community talent and expertise to enhance their learning and to apply those skills and knowledge to represent the school district’s mission by solving a real-life problem in the workplace.

“We’re so pleased that she chose us to work with,” said Milanes, adding that the NSRTC had “played a pivotal role in Andea’s political education (by) providing her with invaluable insights into the workings of the political system.”

Milanes attended the NYSFRW conference with the teen, making sure that she gained networking experience.

Andea thanked her mother, Dr. Melissa Sarno, president of the Putnam County Women’s Republican Club, for “instilling in her the values of conservatism from an early age,” the NSRTC said, crediting the support and guidance she received from mentors and family members for shaping here “into the accomplished leader she is today.”

This fall, Andea will be attending Hofstra University, where she plans to study forensic science.

The NSRTC's announcement said Andea's receiving the scholarship "serves as a testament to her dedication and passion for making a positive impact in her community and beyond. "

The achievement also stands as "inspiration to young Republicans everywhere, demonstrating the power of hard work, dedication, and a commitment to conservative values."

"As she embarks on the next chapter of her journey, Andea's future looks bright, and her contributions to her community are sure to be profound and far-reaching.”

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